He reached slowly toward his pocket.
Rourke grabbed his wrist.
"I said hands where I can see them!"
Malik stopped immediately.
"My phone has the documents."
"Then you should've thought about that before trying to steal somebody's car."
Malik stared at him.
For a moment, he couldn't believe what he'd heard.
The officer hadn't checked the license plate. Hadn't verified the home's ownership. Hadn't asked why Malik possessed the vehicle's working key or why he knew the security code for the garage.
He had simply accepted Victoria's accusation.
Malik took a controlled breath.
"Sergeant, what specific evidence do you have that this car is stolen?"
Rourke's expression hardened.
"Are you questioning me?"
"I'm asking why you're treating me like a criminal on my own property."
The sergeant stepped forward.
Then shoved Malik's chest with both hands.
Malik stumbled backward, striking the side of the Ferrari with his hip. He caught himself before falling, but the movement caused several neighbors standing nearby to gasp.
Victoria smiled.
"See? He's being aggressive."
Malik looked toward her in disbelief.
"I didn't touch him!"
Rourke grabbed Malik's arm.
"That's enough!"
Malik twisted only enough to keep his balance.
"Please stop pushing me. I'll cooperate, but I need you to check the facts."
The officer's face reddened.
He reached toward the phone visible in Malik's hand.
"Give me that!"
Malik held it out.
Instead of taking it, Rourke struck Malik's hand with an open palm.
The phone flew sideways, hit the concrete driveway, and slid beneath the Ferrari's front bumper.
The screen cracked.
Several people gasped.
Malik looked down.
Then slowly lifted his eyes.
"Officer, you just knocked my phone onto the ground."
Rourke leaned closer.
"Keep running your mouth and you'll be wearing handcuffs."
Behind them, Victoria began laughing.
"Honestly, this is embarrassing. Someone needs to teach people like him that this neighborhood isn't a free parking lot."
Malik looked toward her.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then he asked a question that made her smile even wider.
"Do you know who I am?"
Victoria looked him up and down.
His navy polo shirt.
Beige trousers.
White sneakers.
And the red Ferrari shining behind him.
Then she laughed.
"Someone who clearly doesn't understand his place."
Malik's expression didn't change.
"All right."
He looked toward Rourke.
"Sergeant, please preserve your body-camera recording."
The officer scoffed.
"You're not giving orders here."
Malik nodded.
"I'm making a request."
Then a telephone began ringing.
Victoria glanced down at the expensive smartphone in her hand.
The screen displayed the name of her corporate attorney.