Aaron placed the newspaper on the table.
"I'm reading."
Thornton gave a short, humorless laugh.
"Don't get smart with me."
Aaron remained seated.
"Is there something I can help you with, Chief?"
Thornton narrowed his eyes.
"You know who I am?"
"You're the police chief."
"Then you know I can ask questions."
"Of course."
Thornton placed one hand on the table.
"Identification."
Aaron studied him.
"Am I suspected of doing something illegal?"
The chief's expression changed.
There it was.
The moment Aaron had seen described in dozens of witness statements.
A civilian asked for the legal basis of a command.
The officer treated the question as a personal challenge.
Thornton leaned closer.
"You're sitting here watching the register."
Aaron glanced toward the register.
It stood nearly thirty feet away.
"I ordered coffee and opened a newspaper."
"That's not what I asked."
Aaron reached slowly into his pocket and removed his state-issued identification.
He placed it on the table.
Thornton picked it up.
"Aaron Cole."
"Yes."
"Forty-four."
"Correct."
"Retired educator?"
"That's the occupation listed on my current identification record."
Thornton examined the card.
Then he dropped it onto the table.
"You have sixty seconds to leave."
Aaron looked toward Nora standing behind the counter.
"Has the owner asked me to leave?"
Thornton straightened.
"I don't need her permission."
Nora stepped forward.
"Chief, Mr. Cole is a paying customer."
Thornton turned.
"Nora, stay out of this."
Her face tightened.