The oldest was Deputy Michael Carter.
At fifty-five, Carter had spent more than twenty-five years in law enforcement. His gray hair, weathered face, and confident posture gave him the appearance of a man accustomed to being obeyed.
Behind him came Deputy Jason Miller, younger and noticeably less certain.
Deputy Aaron Blake followed last.
All three walked toward Emily.
Something about their approach troubled her.
They were not approaching someone to gather information.
They were approaching someone they had already judged.
“Ma'am,” Carter called.
Emily turned. “Yes?”
“We need to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“You were reported.”
Emily waited.
Carter said nothing more.
“Reported for what?”
“Suspicious behavior.”
“That is a very broad statement.”
Carter crossed his arms. “You always answer questions with questions?”
“When the question is unclear.”
Miller shifted uneasily.
Carter noticed.
“Something wrong?”
“No, sir.”
“Then stay quiet.”
Emily watched the younger deputy lower his eyes.
The conversation had changed.
This was no longer simply about her.
It was about power.
“Can I ask who reported me?” Emily asked.
Carter ignored the question.
“Identification.”
Emily looked directly at him. “Why?”
“Because I asked.”
“That isn't an explanation.”
His expression hardened.
“You're making this difficult.”
Emily slowly shook her head.
“No, Deputy.”
She glanced toward the growing crowd.
“You are.”
Cooperation
The first phone appeared when a truck driver began recording from beside a diesel pump.
Then another.
A woman standing near the ice machine lifted her phone.
Carter noticed.
“Everyone wants to record these days.”
Emily looked toward the customers. “They have that right.”
Carter turned back to her.
“Do you?”
Emily raised an eyebrow. “So we're discussing rights now?”
“We're discussing cooperation.”
“I am cooperating.”
“No. You're challenging me.”
Emily took a breath.
“I've answered your questions. I've asked why you stopped me. I'm still waiting for an answer.”
Carter pointed toward her car.
“Open the door.”
“Why?”
“Inspection.”
“Based on what?”
His patience disappeared.
“I don't need to explain every decision I make.”
“That may be what you believe,” Emily said quietly. “It isn't how the law works.”
For a second, the parking lot became completely still.
Miller looked at Carter.
Blake looked toward the crowd.
Carter stepped closer.
“Are you an attorney?”
“No.”
“Then don't lecture me.”
Emily almost smiled, though there was no humor in her eyes.
“I wasn't lecturing you.”
“Identification. Now.”
Emily reached into her blazer.
Carter's hand immediately moved toward his holster.
“Slowly.”
Emily stopped.
“I was going to retrieve my wallet.”
“Keep your hands where I can see them.”
“Then I cannot retrieve my identification.”