Good.
“What do you do in Washington?”
“Government work.”
“What kind?”
“Defense administration.”
Something moved behind Ryker’s expression.
Small.
Recognition?
Concern?
Sarah stored it.
“You got government identification?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Inside my handbag.”
“Get out.”
Sarah paused.
“For what purpose?”
Ryker’s jaw tightened.
“Step out of the car.”
“I am asking whether I am detained.”
“You want me to add obstruction?”
“To what?”
Ryker opened the door himself.
“Out.”
Sarah stepped onto the asphalt.
The hot wind caught the long pinstriped coat.
Her heels touched gravel.
Ryker looked her up and down.
For some reason, the way she stood seemed to make him angrier.
“Turn around.”
“Sheriff—”
“Hands on the roof.”
Sarah complied.
“May I ask what offense you are investigating?”
“Don't move.”
“I’m not moving.”
His hand closed around her wrist.
He pulled it behind her.
Sarah’s shoulders tightened.
“Sheriff Ryker, I strongly suggest you reconsider what you are doing.”
His grip hardened.
“Threatening an officer now?”
“No.”
“Sounds like a threat.”
“It is a factual recommendation.”
The cuff closed.
Then the second.
Sarah exhaled slowly.
“Disorderly conduct,” Ryker said.
She looked sideways.
“For asking a question?”
“Resisting.”
“I did not resist.”
“Failure to comply.”
“I complied.”
He leaned toward her ear.
“Attitude package.”
Sarah became very still.
Her team heard every word.
She looked at his body camera.
“Please make sure that phrase appears in your report.”
Ryker shoved her shoulder against the sedan.
“Still running your mouth.”
Sarah recovered her balance.
She did not respond.
Ryker searched her handbag.
Without asking.
Wallet.
Lipstick.
Keys.
Secure device.
He lifted the matte-black unit.
“What the hell is this?”
Sarah immediately spoke.
“Do not manipulate that device.”
Ryker smiled.
There.
Finally.
Something she cared about.
“What?”
“It is controlled government communications equipment.”
“You carrying classified gear in my county?”
“I said communications equipment.”
“You Pentagon?”
Sarah looked at him.
“That device should remain where you found it.”
Instead he shoved it into his pocket.
“Evidence.”
“For what offense?”
Ryker kicked the handbag toward his cruiser.
It slid across gravel.
Sarah’s expression hardened.
He saw it.
“Problem?”