He said his tone cooler now. Raymond kept moving his footsteps deliberate but relaxed inside though his thoughts churned he didn't have to look back to know the man on the porch was still watching him further down the block a police cruiser idled at a stop sign. Raymond's stomach tightened as he passed but he made himself look straight ahead the officers inside didn't move at first but the longer he stayed on the same Street the more obvious it became they were watching him too at the next Corner the cruiser slowly rolled forward it wasn't fast enough to catch up but it wasn't idle anymore. Raymond's mind churned was this it was it starting already when he reached the next block he noticed a second Cruiser parked on the side of the road two officers leaned against it talking casually but their eyes followed him as he approached one of them said something to the other and both began to move toward him. Raymond's pulse quickened.
He glanced around nothing but quiet homes and manicured Lawns he focused on his breathing just as he'd learned in the Marines stay calm stay steady excuse me sir one of the officers called out can we have a word. Raymond stopped Standing Tall sure. He said what can I do for you the officer a broad man with a square jaw stepped closer we got a call about someone matching your description said you were acting suspicious. Raymond raised an eyebrow suspicious how the officer crossed his arms just wandering around not from around here are you I'm just taking a walk. Raymond replied evenly the Second Officer taller and thinner joined the conversation well we're going to need some IDE just routine.
Raymond hesitated am I being detained not yet the the first officer said a smirk tugging at his lips. Raymond kept his voice steady if I'm not being detained I'd like to be on my way the officers exchanged a glance the first one's smile vanished not so fast we have some questions. Raymond clenched his jaw this was the moment he'd prepared for the moment. Lisa had warned him about the moment that would be caught on camera you don't see many guys like you around here the taller officer said his eyes narrowing big guy like you walking through a neighborhood like this stands out don't you think. Raymond's voice was calm but firm I'm just walking the shorter officer stepped closer his smirk returning walking you mean waddling maybe you're just out for a stroll but most people don't call that exercise the officers chuckled the taller one shaking his head you sure you're not just out here casing the place big guy like you must be looking for an easy target right.
Raymond's jaw tightened but he didn't move I'm just walking he repeated well the shorter officer said his smirk now a sneer maybe you should walk a little faster before things get complicated. Raymond didn't Flinch he didn't let his anger show he knew the camera was rolling knew. Lisa would be watching this later I'm not doing anything wrong. He said the taller officer took another step closer now towering over him no you're not. He said slowly but you sure don't look like you belong here looks can be deceiving.
Raymond said his voice was still calm but there was an edge to it now and I'm not moving the officers stared at him for a long moment the tension heavy in the air the tension crackled like static electricity. The officers stood closer than necessary their body language shifting from casual curiosity to subtle aggression. Raymond had seen this kind of posture ing before chest puffed out arms crossed the barely restrained urge to assert dominance he stayed still his feet planted firmly on the sidewalk his hands at his sides calm controlled he knew the camera was catching all of it so you're refusing to cooperate the shorter officer said his smirk curling into something more menacing I never said that. Raymond replied his voice was steady even measured I told you I'm just out for a walk the taller officer raised an eyebrow his tone dripping with sarcasm just out for a walk huh dressed like that dressed like what. Raymond asked what's wrong with what I'm wearing nothing the shorter officer said his grin reappearing just looks a little out of place like you're not from around here I already told you.
Raymond said holding his ground I'm just walking through well maybe you should walk yourself back where you came from the taller officer snapped you think these people want to see you standing around here. Raymond didn't Flinch I have every right to be here. He said calmly I'm not breaking any laws your attitude is what suspicious the shorter officer shot back guy like you big and heavy just wandering through looking at these houses like they're free for the taking. Raymond's jaw tightened he'd had enough I haven't done anything wrong. He said firmly you stopped me I'm just walking the taller officer sneered listen buddy I don't know what you think you're doing here but I don't trust it you don't look like you belong in this neighborhood and you sure as hell don't act like you do what's that supposed to mean.
Raymond asked his voice still calm though his patience was wearing thin it means the shorter officer said stepping closer that maybe we need to have a little chat down at the station you know just to be sure that sounds an awful lot like you're detaining me. Raymond said meeting the officer's eyes and if that's the case I'd like to know what law I've broken you've got a smart mouth the taller officer muttered. He leaned in closer his eyes narrowing maybe you're not breaking any laws but you're pissing me off and that's enough to make you a problem. Raymond kept his expression neutral last I checked that's not a crime the shorter officer laughed though it sounded forced you think you're clever don't you big tough guy with all the answers let's see how clever you are when we bring you in bring me in for what. Raymond asked his voice remained calm but the edge was sharper now I told you what I'm doing I'm walking through this neighborhood that's not a crime it is when you're casing houses the taller officer shot back his tone wasn't sarcastic anymore it was firm deliberate and dangerous casing houses.