She glanced at the broken credential and the paper scattered across the metal surface.
Then she slowly looked up.
"You just destroyed government-issued identification."
The officer shrugged.
"Then arrest me."
A few feet away, the male patrol officer shifted uncomfortably.
The woman placed one hand on the black evidence case.
"I need to contact the person responsible for this transfer."
The blonde officer reacted immediately.
She reached forward, grabbed the woman's upper arm, and shoved her backward.
The sudden movement forced the woman to take two steps on her narrow heels to regain her balance.
"Get your hands off that case!"
The woman steadied herself.
The officer slammed her palm against the lid.
"You don't touch anything until I say so!"
The woman looked at the hand gripping her arm.
"Release me."
"Or what?"
"Release me."
The officer gave her another short, aggressive shove.
The woman's handbag swung against her hip.
Her expression changed.
The warmth disappeared from her eyes, replaced by an icy concentration.
She adjusted the shoulder strap of her dress, smoothed the fabric at her waist, and reached carefully into her handbag.
The blonde officer immediately touched the equipment on her duty belt.
"Don't even think about pulling something."
The woman stopped moving.
"My phone is in the outside pocket. I'm notifying the federal supervisor responsible for this appointment."
"You're not calling anybody."
The woman looked at her.
"Are you placing me under arrest?"
The officer hesitated.
"No."