“A bulletin.”
“Which bulletin?”
Reeves said nothing.
Bell stared at him.
“You ran the plate before making contact?”
Another silence.
Price’s face changed.
“You didn’t.”
Reeves snapped, “I was going to.”
“You told me it was flagged.”
“I said possible stolen.”
“To her, you said it was flagged.”
The man with the Mariners cap had moved slightly closer.
His phone continued recording.
Another woman was filming from behind a shopping cart.
Sergeant Bell glanced around.
He understood now.
This was not private.
Nothing about this could be contained.
“Take the cuffs off her.”
Reeves did not move.
Bell’s voice sharpened.
“Now.”
Reeves walked toward the cruiser.
Alana watched him approach.
He opened the rear door.
The confidence was gone.
“Ma’am.”
She looked at him.
“There’s been a misunderstanding.”
Alana said nothing.
Reeves swallowed.
“We received information that led me to believe the vehicle may have been stolen.”
That was not true.
Alana knew it.
Bell knew it.
Price knew it.
The body camera knew it.
But Reeves was already building the explanation.
“I’m going to remove the cuffs.”
Alana turned slightly so he could reach them.
His hands were shaking.
The first cuff opened.
Then the second.
Alana slowly brought her arms forward.
Red grooves circled both wrists.
Reeves saw them.
He looked away.
“I apologize for the inconvenience.”
Alana stared at him.
“Inconvenience?”
Reeves said nothing.
She stepped out of the cruiser.
The crowd had grown.
Perhaps forty people now.
Some had only arrived at the end.
Others had watched nearly everything.
Phones remained raised.
Price approached.
“Judge Pierce, are you okay?”
Alana flexed her fingers.
“My wrists hurt.”
“I’m sorry.”
Alana looked at Price.
Unlike Reeves, the younger officer’s concern appeared genuine.
“Thank you for asking.”
Sergeant Bell stepped forward.
“Judge Pierce, I’m Sergeant Thomas Bell. I want to apologize for what happened.”
Alana looked at him.
“You arrived after the detention began.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You also told him to remove the handcuffs.”
“Yes.”
“So don’t apologize for his conduct.”
Bell glanced toward Reeves.
Then back.
“I’m responsible for the scene once I arrive.”
“That part I respect.”