Gold bracelets rested against the steering wheel.
Her black hair was neatly arranged.
And her expression was calm.
"Good afternoon, Deputy."
He frowned.
"License and registration."
She nodded.
"Of course."
She retrieved her identification.
Then looked toward him.
"May I ask why you stopped me?"
The deputy glanced toward the road.
"Traffic violation."
"What violation?"
He looked back.
"Failure to maintain lane."
The woman remained silent for a moment.
Then said politely, "I don't believe I crossed the lane markings."
The deputy's expression hardened.
"Are you calling me a liar?"
"No."
She looked toward his badge.
"I'm asking for clarification."
He leaned closer.
"Step out of the vehicle."
The woman studied him.
"Is there a safety concern?"
"I said get out."
She took a slow breath.
Then reached toward the center console.
The deputy stiffened.
"What are you doing?"
"Placing the vehicle in its secure parked setting."
He watched.
She completed the action.
Then unfastened her seat belt.
What he didn't notice was that she'd already activated a discreet emergency notification through a security application linked to her phone and vehicle location.
The message went to the protective coordination contact arranged with the state investigator.
It contained her location.
And a brief alert indicating that she had been stopped unexpectedly.
The system didn't magically summon police from miles away.
The nearest state unit was already positioned along the route because of the previous threats.
A trooper received the alert.
Confirmed the location.
And began moving toward the stop.
Meanwhile, the woman opened her door.
She stepped carefully onto the gravel shoulder.
The extraordinary skirt of her gown settled around her ankles.
The deputy looked her up and down.
Then laughed.
"Where do you think you're going dressed like that?"
She looked toward him.
"I attended a luncheon."
He smirked.
"Somebody's fancy party?"
"A community infrastructure event."
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
Then he looked toward the passenger seat.
The brown leather document case was visible.
He recognized it immediately.
"What's in the bag?"
The woman frowned.
"Which bag?"
He pointed.
"That leather case."
"Work documents."
"What kind?"
"Engineering records."
The deputy stepped closer.
"Stolen records?"
Her expression hardened.
"No."
"Then you won't mind showing me."
She studied him.
"Deputy, if you're alleging a crime, please explain the basis."
He laughed.
"You people always think you know the law."
The woman remained still.
"What people?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he moved toward the passenger door.
She turned.
"Please don't enter my vehicle."
The deputy reached for the handle.
It was locked.
His face reddened.
"Unlock it."
The woman shook her head.