Officer Derek Moss, a 7-year veteran of the Maple Grove Police Department, walks up the driveway with purpose. His body cam is rolling. His hand rests casually near his belt.
"Evening," he calls out as he approaches the porch steps.
Judge Williams looks up from the planter, garden hose still in hand. "Good evening, officer. Can I help you?"
"Yeah, we received a lead about someone matching your description in the area. Need to ask you a few questions."
There's a pause. Judge Williams sets down the hose and straightens up. "I'm sorry. A lead about what, exactly?"
"Suspicious activity. Someone called it in. You match the description we were given."
"What description would that be?"
Officer Moss doesn't answer the question. Instead, he takes another step closer to the porch. "Ma'am, I'm going to need to see some identification."
Judge Williams remains calm, measured. This is a woman who has spent years in courtrooms, who understands the law better than most. "Officer, I live here. This is my home. My parents are visiting from out of state. I haven't done anything wrong, and I'd like to know what crime you think has been committed."
"Just need to see some ID, ma'am."
She reaches into her jacket pocket and pulls out her wallet. From it, she produces her driver's license. She walks down two steps and hands it to him directly.
Officer Moss takes it, glances at it, doesn't scan it, doesn't call it in, just holds it between two fingers like it's a piece of junk mail.
"This says Tamarra Williams," he mutters.
"That's correct. That's my name."