TSA Agent Accuses Black Woman of Smuggling — Then Discovers She Runs Customs...
Chapter 7
Theme:
Font Size:
24px
Grant finished the pat-down quickly, finding nothing, and hurried around the barrier to see what was going on. Another TSA agent, a rookie named Haley Ramirez, stood tense and uncertain, holding a small black backpack. Near her was Harriet Brown: arms folded, eyes narrowed.Grant's stomach flipped."That's my backpack," Harriet said with impeccable calm.But the agent next to Haley, a taller man named Steven Cain, was brandishing the bag as if it contained a live bomb. Cain pointed to the X-ray monitor, addressing Harriet harshly. "We have reason to believe you're carrying contraband, ma'am. Don't you dare touch the bag until we've had a chance to inspect it thoroughly."Harriet's eyebrows rose. "What contraband?"Cain didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned to Haley. "Take this bag to the side table. I'm going to have a look."His tone was unequivocally suspicious, and it drew the attention of every traveler in earshot. Phones started to come out; people were filming.Grant's pulse quickened. He recognized Harriet's bag from earlier. In his mind, he heard alarm bells: could his suspicions have been correct?But Harriet Brown appeared more exasperated than fearful. She let out a measured breath. "Please check carefully. There should be nothing unusual inside."Cain unzipped the main compartment. He fished out a laptop, a tablet, some files, and a slim black folder. Then he rifled through the front pocket. After a moment, his hand emerged, holding two small plastic packets. They contained a white powdery substance.Gasps erupted from onlookers, and Harriet's eyes darted to the packets."What is that?" Harriet demanded, her tone still composed, but tinged with sternness.Cain waved them in front of her face. "Care to explain?"Grant's heart hammered in his chest. He had witnessed travelers get caught carrying innocuous powder that turned out to be baby formula, protein mix, or prescription foot powder. But the way Cain held those packets was loaded with accusation, like he'd already convicted Harriet. The crowd pressed in, forming a ring of wide-eyed spectators.In a voice that brooked no nonsense, Harriet said, "That's foot powder and medication I need for a chronic condition. Both are properly labeled packages. Check them. You should find a prescription label on one and an over-the-counter label on the other."