Reic's expression changed only slightly, but Maya saw it. He looked toward her, realizing too late that the radio had been loud enough for her to hear every word. "No, Sergeant," he said. "I'm securing the scene. Do not remove the lower panel until Pike gets there.
The transmission ended for several seconds. Only the traffic could be heard." Maya looked at the untouched luggage compartments, the specialized area Reic had been trying to open, and the radio on his shoulder. Then she met his eyes. "You stopped me for an unreadable plate," she said quietly.
"But your sergeant already knows which panel you're trying to remove." Reic reached toward the baton fixed to his duty belt, not drawing it, only resting his hand there as a warning. "Stay behind the line." Maya did not move. She did not need to.
By the time Sergeant Mercer arrived, the question was no longer why Maya Williams had been stopped. The question was how three officers had known exactly which piece of her car they intended to remove. A dark municipal SUV pulled in behind the patrol car. Sergeant Dean Mercer stepped out wearing a pressed uniform and the patient expression of a man who expected other people to accept his decisions before he explained them. He glanced once at Maya, then walked directly to the McLaren.
"Did you open the console?" He asked. Reic lowered his hand from the baton at his belt. The lower panel wouldn't release. Mercer's eyes moved to the center display.
He did not inspect the license plate or asked to see Ma's documents. Mia watched him carefully. "Your officer claims he stopped me because my plate was unreadable." Mercer turned toward her. "We are past the reason for the initial stop."
No, Sergeant. Everything that follows depends on that reason. What follows, Mercer said, is a verification of a possible electronic modification based on what? A municipal alert connected to this vehicle. When was the alert created?
Mercer's expression remained calm. That is internal information. If the alert existed before Officer Reic activated his lights, the time would support you. If it appeared afterward, the time would expose you. Reic took a step toward her.
You were told to stand quietly. Mercer lifted one hand, silencing him without looking away from Maya. Miss Williams, you will have an opportunity to challenge the process through the proper channels. I am challenging the sequence now while all three cameras are recording it. Mercer walked back to his SUV and opened a computer mounted beside the passenger seat.
His fingers moved through several menus. A moment later, Maya's phone vibrated inside the McLaren. She could not reach it without violating Reic's order, but the notification appeared across the vehicle's center display. Vehicle registration status under review. A second notice followed.
Insurance verification requested. Then a third, municipal financial integrity hold. Mercer returned to the roadside. The vehicle is now being held for administrative verification. He said, "You entered that hold after the search started.
The system will show the final classification. The final classification is not the original sequence." Mercer's eyes narrowed slightly. It was the first visible crack in his composure. A White County Sheriff's vehicle arrived and parked beyond the municipal SUV.
Deputy Rachel Boon stepped out with a leather notebook in one hand. She was in her late 40s with silver beginning to show near her temples and the deliberate posture of someone who did not hurry simply because another officer wanted her to. Mercer greeted her with a short nod. Deputy Boon, we need an independent witness for a technical vehicle hold. Rachel looked at Maya standing on the yellow line, then at the open McLaren.
Miss Williams, are you being detained? Reick answered first. She's being held during an emergency inspection. Rachel kept her eyes on Maya. Were you told you could leave?
No. Were you placed under arrest? No. Did you consent to the search? I stated clearly that I did not.
Rachel wrote each answer down. Mercer said, "The vehicle may contain an illegal electronic device connected to financial fraud." Reick added. She showed signs of concealing it. Rachel looked from one man to the other.
Who first identified the device? Reic pointed toward the console. Her behavior gave me reason to inspect the electronics. Mercer said the city system generated an alert. A sedan entered the roadside turnout before Rachel could ask another question.
Detective Owen Pike climbed out carrying a hard black equipment case. He did not introduce himself to Maya. He placed the case on the McLaren's roof and opened it. Inside were trim removal tools, signal blocking sleeves, a compact diagnostic reader, and several labeled cables. Maya studied one of them.
That connector is designed for this model's internal network. Pike paused. It's a standard diagnostic cable. No, a standard connector has a universal locking head. That one is fitted for the McLaren control housing.
Reic looked at Pike. Mercer's voice hardened. Miss Williams, you are not directing this inspection. I am not directing it. I am observing that Detective Pike arrived with the correct tool before he examined the vehicle.
Rachel wrote that down as well. She turned to Pike. Who told you what equipment to bring? I received a request for technical support. From whom?
Pike looked at Mercer. Mercer said, "The request came through the department. That was not my question." Rachel replied. The roadside became quiet except for passing traffic and the faint clicking of the McLaren's cooling engine.
Pike removed the equipment case from the roof and leaned into the cabin. He went directly to the panel Reic had been trying to open. Maya spoke to Rachel without taking her eyes off him. They are not searching the car. They are following a map.