Mara confirmed that the refill matched the current prescription information and reminded her to follow her medical team's guidance.
Then she placed the sealed medication in a white paper pharmacy bag.
The front carried the pharmacy's printed logo.
Inside were the prescription container, the required information, and a receipt.
Naomi thanked her.
Before leaving, she glanced toward a small display of baby products near the front entrance.
For a moment, she considered buying a stuffed animal.
Then laughed at herself.
The baby's room already contained enough toys to fill a small store.
She walked outside.
And found Sergeant Mercer standing beside her car.
Mercer had been responding to a minor theft report at the shopping center.
A store employee reported that a man wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt had taken merchandise from a front display and left without paying.
The description was incomplete.
No one had reported a weapon.
The man had already left the immediate area.
Mercer and Jordan were supposed to gather information, review the complaint, and determine whether further action was necessary.
But Mercer had been in a foul mood all morning.
Earlier, his lieutenant questioned several incomplete reports involving property seizures and arrests outside local businesses.
Mercer interpreted the questions as an attack on his authority.
He had spent fourteen years in law enforcement.
He believed he deserved trust.
And he resented being asked to explain routine decisions.
At the pharmacy, he was already irritated when Naomi appeared.
He noticed the white paper bag in her hand.
Then the look of surprise on her face when she saw the cruiser.
He interpreted that reaction as suspicion.
Jordan was speaking with the store employee when Mercer approached Naomi.
"Ma'am. Stop right there."
Naomi looked up.
"Excuse me?"
Mercer pointed toward the bag.
"What's that?"
She glanced down.
"My prescription."
"Let me see it."
Naomi hesitated.
"Is something wrong?"
The officer's expression hardened.
"Did I ask you a question?"
She swallowed.
"Yes. You asked what's in the bag."
Mercer stepped closer.
"Then show me."
Naomi looked toward the pharmacy entrance.
For a moment, she didn't understand what was happening.
She had paid for the medication.
The pharmacist could verify everything.
And she was standing beside her own car, waiting for a ride.
She took a breath.
"Officer, I don't understand why you're stopping me."
Mercer stared.
"Because I said so."
Naomi felt her heart begin racing.