Maya felt a chill run down her spine. "'You people'?" she repeated quietly.
Sullivan realized his slip, but doubled down instead of backing off. "Young people. You're all the same. Think you know everything? Think you can change the world with a camera phone?"
But Maya heard what he really meant. She'd experienced enough subtle racism in her life to recognize it. Her mother had prepared her for moments like this, though Maya never imagined it would happen during a school assignment.
"Officer, I understand your concern," Maya said, her voice remaining steady despite her racing heart. "But I'm just trying to complete my homework. My mother always taught me to treat everyone with respect, including police officers."
"Oh, really?" Sullivan's eyebrows rose mockingly. "And what does mommy do for a living? Let me guess: she works at the school cafeteria."
Maya's cheeks burned, but she kept her voice level. "Actually, she works for the federal government. She's an FBI agent."
The words hung in the air for a moment. Rodriguez looked surprised. Sullivan's expression shifted from skepticism to outright derision.
"FBI agent?" Sullivan threw back his head and laughed. "Right. And I'm the director of the CIA."
Maya felt her phone buzz in her pocket—a text from her mother: Case wrapping up early, home by 4:00 p.m. How's the interview going?
If only Mom could see this, Maya thought. But her mother was probably in some important meeting dealing with real criminals. Maya was on her own.
"I understand if you don't believe me," Maya said quietly. "But it's true. My mom investigates counterintelligence cases. She travels a lot for work."
Sullivan stepped even closer, invading Maya's personal space. "Listen here, little girl. I've been doing this job longer than you've been alive. I know when someone's lying to me. Your mama ain't the FBI. She's probably some secretary or cleaning lady somewhere, and you're embarrassed to admit it."
The words hit Maya like physical blows.
Rodriguez finally stepped forward. "Derek, maybe we should—"
"Stay out of this, Rodriguez," Sullivan snapped. "I'm handling it."
Maya's hands trembled as she gathered her materials. The respectful, hopeful student was being replaced by something harder. Her mother's voice echoed in her mind: Sometimes people will try to diminish you because of how you look. Never let them succeed.