Professional car thieves know how to get in without leaving obvious marks. Sir, I need you to step away from the vehicle. Mercer ordered Darius. Keep your hands where I can see them. Darius didn't move.
Officer, have you confirmed who owns this car? I'm asking the questions here, Mercer replied sharply. Step away from the vehicle now. Have you investigated anything beyond this woman's accusation? Sir, you need to comply with my instructions.
Ruiz looked up from his examination of the car. The vehicle shows no signs of forced entry. The paint isn't scratched around the door handles. The windows are intact. He could have used electronic devices, Lenora insisted.
These people know all kinds of tricks. These people. Darius felt the familiar burn in his chest. 30 years in law enforcement, and he still heard those words. Officer Mercer, Darius said evenly.
Do you plan to verify ownership before detaining someone in their own driveway? Your own driveway? Mercer's face reened. You think you can just claim whatever you want? I think you should do your job properly.
My job, my job is to investigate suspected vehicle theft reported by a respected member of this community. Mercer gestured toward Lenora. Mrs. Vale has contributed thousands of dollars to police programs in this city. So that was it. Lenora wasn't just a neighbor.
She was a donor. That doesn't give her the right to make false accusations. Darius said false accusations. Lenora's voice rose to a shriek. I saw what I saw.
Search him. He probably has burglary tools on him right now. Ruiz frowned. Ma'am, we can't search someone without probable cause. The probable cause is that I witnessed him stealing that car.
You witnessed him unlocking it with a key. Darius corrected. That's not what she told us, Mercer said. He reached for his handcuffs. Sir, I'm placing you in temporary detention while we sort this out.
Lenora smiled triumphantly. Finally, someone who knows how to handle criminals. Officer Mercer, Darius said quietly, are you arresting me for owning my own property? I'm detaining you for investigation of vehicle theft based on an eyewitness report without running the registration, without checking identification, without investigating anything at all. Mercer's jaw tightened.
Keep your hands visible and don't move. This is exactly what should happen, Lenora said smuggly. when suspicious people appear in decent neighborhoods with expensive things that obviously don't belong to them. Ruiz stepped between them. Maybe we should verify ownership before I've got this handled. Ruiz.
Mercer moved closer to Darius. Sir, place your hands behind your back. Darius remained perfectly still. The badge in his hand felt warm against his palm. Are you refusing to comply?
Mercer demanded. I'm asking if you've done any actual police work here. The work I'm doing is protecting this neighborhood from people like you. People like him. There it was again.
Lenora clapped her hands together with delight. Yes, that's exactly right. As Mercer reached toward his handcuffs, Darius slowly brought the badge from behind his back and held it between them. Mercer's hand froze halfway to his handcuffs. His eyes locked onto the badge in Darius's palm.
Ruiz leaned forward, squinting at the credential. His face went pale. Chief of police, he read aloud. Darius Holloway. The words hung in the air like a gunshot.
Mercer's aggressive stance crumbled. His shoulders sagged. The color drained from his face as he stared at the badge, then at Darius, then back at the badge. Sir, I we didn't know. Chief Holloway.
Ruiz's voice cracked slightly. You're the new chief. We're supposed to meet you tomorrow morning at headquarters. Lenora's mouth fell open. She blinked rapidly, processing what she just heard.
That's impossible, she sputtered. He can't be. That badge could be fake. Darius kept his voice level. Officer Ruiz, I want you to run the registration on this vehicle.
Yes, sir. Ruiz said quickly, reaching for his radio. Wait, Mercer interrupted. Chief, there's no need to. There's every need, Darius cut him off.
This is a reported vehicle theft. We investigate reported vehicle theft properly. Lenora stepped closer, her voice shaking with indignation. Stolen badges exist. Anyone can buy a fake police credential online.
That doesn't change what I witnessed. Ruiz spoke into his radio. Dispatch, I need a registration check on a Rolls-Royce Phantom. He rattled off the license plate number. Mercer shifted nervously from foot to foot.
Chief Holloway, Mrs. Vale is a respected donor to our police foundation. She's contributed thousands. I don't care if she's contributed millions. Darius replied firmly. We follow procedure.
The radio crackled. Registration shows the vehicle belongs to Darius Holloway. Address matches your current location. No reports of theft or leans. Silence stretched across the driveway.
Lenora's face flushed red. Well, I saw something suspicious. Anyone can see that. Something suspicious? Darius repeated.
That's different from what you told these officers. I told them exactly what happened. Officer Ruiz. Darius said calmly. Would you contact dispatch and ask them to read back the exact language from the original 911 call?