"Campaign literature."
"Put it down."
Daniel slowly lowered the bag.
"Anything sharp in there?"
"No."
"Weapons?"
"No."
"Drugs?"
Daniel looked directly at him.
"No."
Gallagher pointed toward the SUV.
"That your vehicle?"
"Yes."
"Step away from it."
Daniel was already several yards from it.
He took another step.
"What exactly am I suspected of doing?"
Gallagher's expression tightened.
"Someone's been trying door handles around here."
"Did the caller describe me specifically?"
"I just told you. You match."
"What did they describe?"
Gallagher did not answer immediately.
Daniel repeated.
"What description?"
"Black male. Around six feet. Dark clothing. Carrying a bag."
Daniel looked toward Meeks.
She avoided his eyes.
Then he looked back at Gallagher.
"Officer, that could describe a large number of people in this neighborhood."
"We'll figure that out."
"I've already told you who I am and what I'm doing."
"Then ID shouldn't be a problem."
Daniel knew the legal questions were becoming important.
He also knew a sidewalk was not a courtroom.
"Am I being detained?"
Gallagher hesitated.
"Right now you're part of an investigation."
"That's not the same question."
"You're not free to leave yet."
Daniel nodded once.
"Understood."
His voice stayed controlled.
The phone in his hand remained connected to Renee.
Four blocks away, Renee had stopped moving.
She sat in the campaign van listening.
Gallagher's voice came clearly through Daniel's phone.
Black male.
Bag.
ID.
Not free to leave.
Renee's journalist instincts returned instantly.
She opened a recording application on her second phone.
Then started the van.
Back on Harmon Avenue, Gallagher asked, "License."
Daniel said, "It's in my wallet."
"Where's your wallet?"
"Inside my jacket."
Gallagher's right hand moved closer to his holster.
Daniel saw it.
So did Meeks.
So did Gallagher's body camera.
Daniel spoke slowly.
"Officer, I'm going to reach into my jacket for my wallet."
"Slowly."
"I intend to."
"Keep your other hand visible."
Daniel raised his left hand slightly.
Then used his right to open his jacket.
His fingers moved toward the inside pocket.
Gallagher's body stiffened.
Daniel removed his wallet.
Opened it.
Then removed his driver's license.
He held it between two fingers.
Gallagher took it.
He glanced down.
Daniel Brooks.
The address was in Westfield.
Not Harmon Heights.
That seemed to reinforce Gallagher's suspicion.
"You don't live here."
"I never said I did."
"What are you doing here?"
"I've answered that."
"Canvassing."
"Yes."
"For Congress."
"Yes."
Gallagher glanced at the campaign lanyard again but did not examine it.
"Where are your materials?"
Daniel looked at the tote on the ground.
"There."
Gallagher gestured toward Officer Craig Hollis, who had just arrived from the third cruiser.
Hollis was twenty-six.
Two years on patrol.
Gallagher said, "Check the bag."
Daniel immediately responded.
"I don't consent to a search."
Gallagher looked at him.