“Ma’am, I’m not going to argue with you.”
“I’m not arguing.”
“You’re being difficult.”
Alana’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“I have complied with every instruction you have given me.”
“Then get your ID.”
She reached again.
Slowly.
Two fingers entered the outer compartment of the purse.
She pulled out a slim black wallet.
Reeves extended his hand.
Alana opened it.
Her state driver’s license was inside.
So was another credential.
She removed the license first.
Reeves took it.
He looked at the photograph.
Then at her.
Then back at the license.
“Alana Pierce?”
“Yes.”
“This address current?”
“Yes.”
He glanced toward the SUV.
“Is this your vehicle?”
“Yes.”
“Can you prove that?”
Alana felt a small, cold pulse beneath her ribs.
“My registration is in the glove compartment.”
Reeves looked at the car again.
“Whose name is it registered under?”
“Mine.”
“What’s your relationship to the owner?”
Alana blinked once.
“I just told you I am the owner.”
“Ma’am, answer the question.”
“I did.”
Reeves exhaled through his nose.
“The vehicle has been flagged.”
Alana’s training took over.
“What do you mean by flagged?”
“Possible stolen vehicle.”
There it was.
Two shoppers nearby turned their heads.
The man with the dog food stopped pretending not to listen.
Alana said, “That is incorrect.”
“I didn’t ask whether you thought it was correct.”
“This vehicle is registered to me.”
“We’ll determine that.”
“Then please run the plate.”
Reeves did not answer.
Alana looked toward his cruiser.
His in-car computer was visible through the windshield.
“Have you already run it?”
Reeves stared at her.
“That isn’t your concern.”
“It becomes my concern if you’re accusing me of stealing my own vehicle.”
His jaw tightened.
“Step away from the SUV.”
“Officer—”
“Step away from the vehicle.”
The volume had risen.
Phones began appearing.
Not many yet.
Two.
Then three.
Alana took one step backward.
Then another.
Both hands remained visible.
“I’m complying.”
Reeves reached for his shoulder microphone.
“Dispatch, 214. I need an additional unit at the Walmart on Northgate. Possible stolen vehicle. Uncooperative subject.”
Alana’s expression changed.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
“Officer Reeves.”
He looked at her.
“You just told dispatch I’m uncooperative.”