The description has to be wrong. This is a government vehicle assigned to me for official business. "If you'd just check the..."
Mercer yanked open the door. "I'm not asking again." Marcus complied, moving slowly and deliberately.
He stepped out with his hands raised slightly, making sure both officers could see every movement. Mercer immediately grabbed his arm and spun him around, slamming him face first against the SUV's hood. "Hands behind your back."
The metal cuffs clicked around Marcus's wrists tighter than necessary. Mercer shoved him upright and pushed him toward the rear of the vehicle where Danner waited with obvious discomfort written across his young face. "This is ridiculous," Marcus said, fighting to keep his anger in check.
"I'm telling you, this vehicle is legitimate government property. Check the plates. Call your supervisor.
Don't make this situation worse than it needs to be." Mercer laughed, but there was no humor in it. Government property, right?
Every dealer thinks he's got some special story. You probably stole this thing from a parking lot. I did not steal anything.
This SUV is assigned to me through official channels. If you damage anything inside, you're going to create consequences way beyond a routine traffic stop. Is that a threat?
It's a warning. Mercer stepped closer. Close enough that Marcus could smell the coffee on his breath.
You know what I think? I think you're running drugs through this nice neighborhood, thinking nobody will look twice at your fancy ride. Well, guess what?
I'm looking. He turned to Danner. We're searching this vehicle right now.
Danner hesitated. Sarge, maybe we should call for backup first, or we don't need backup for one suspect, and we've got probable cause based on the vehicle description. Marcus spoke clearly, making sure his voice would carry to any recording devices.
I do not consent to any search of this vehicle. I am specifically telling you that I do not give permission for you to open, examine, or remove anything from this SUV. Mercer's grin turned predatory.
Don't need your permission. We've got reasonable suspicion. He strode to the SUV and threw open the driver's door with unnecessary force.
The interior light illuminated leather seats, a clean dashboard, and the kind of expensive electronics package that came with federal fleet vehicles. Danner, get over here and start emptying this thing out. Everything.
I want to see what our friend here is really carrying. The young officer approached reluctantly, but he followed orders. Marcus stood handcuffed on the roadside, watching as the two men began systematically destroying everything he owned.
Mercer pulled the first suitcase from the back seat and hurled it onto the asphalt. The zipper burst open on impact, spilling Marcus's clothes across the road like confetti. shirts, pants, underwear, and socks scattered in every direction as the evening wind picked up.
"Look at all this fancy stuff," Mercer said, kicking through the pile. "Real expensive taste for an honest working man." He grabbed a sealed manila folder from the passenger seat and ripped it open without hesitation.
Official documents fluttered out, reports, forms, and correspondence that Marcus recognized as case materials. Mercer barely glanced at them before tossing the folder aside and reaching for another. Stop, Marcus said firmly.