The older deputy approached the driver's side.
I looked toward him.
"Good afternoon, Deputy."
He didn't return the greeting.
"License and registration."
"Certainly. May I ask why I've been stopped?"
His expression tightened.
"Did I ask you a question?"
I took a breath.
"My documents are available. I'd just like to know the reason for the stop."
He leaned toward the window.
His eyes moved across the leather interior, the polished dashboard, and the expensive details that made the Phantom unmistakable.
Then he looked at me.
"Whose car is this?"
"Mine."
He laughed.
"No, seriously."
I studied him.
"Seriously. It's mine."
He stepped back slightly.
"Get out."
I looked toward the younger deputy.
"Is there a problem with the registration?"
The older deputy raised his voice.
"GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE!"
I felt the first warning signal in my chest.
Not panic.
Recognition.
His behavior was escalating despite the absence of any obvious threat.
"Deputy, I'm complying. Please give me a moment to release my seat belt."
I reached toward the buckle.
He opened the door.
Then grabbed my arm.
"Don't play games with me!"
His grip was painfully tight.
"I'm releasing my seat belt."
He pulled before I could finish.
The belt caught against my shoulder.
I cried out.
The younger deputy came closer.
"Garrett, wait. She's still buckled."
Garrett ignored him.
"GET OUT!"
I unfastened the belt with my free hand.
He pulled me from the seat.
My heels struck the pavement awkwardly, and I stumbled against the open door.
"Turn around!"
"Deputy, I'm not resisting."
"TURN AROUND!"
He forced my arm behind my back.
I felt the metal of the first cuff.
Then the second.
He tightened them until pressure shot through my wrists.
I looked toward his younger partner.
"Please note that I've complied with every instruction."
The younger deputy looked distressed.
"Garrett, let's check the documents."
Garrett pushed me toward the side of the car.
"She's got a stolen vehicle. You can see that."
I turned my head.
"What evidence do you have that it's stolen?"
He leaned close.
"Women like you don't drive cars like this unless somebody else paid for them."
For a moment, I couldn't believe he'd actually said it.
Then I looked at the younger deputy.
His expression had changed.
He had heard it too.
Garrett forced me toward the pavement.
I lost my balance.
My shoulder struck the ground, and the heat of the asphalt came through the fabric of my dress almost immediately.
He put a knee against my back.
"Stay down!"
I gasped.
"I am staying down."
He increased the pressure.
"Then stop talking!"
I stopped moving.