She looked at him.
“On what basis?”
His jaw tightened.
“Evidence.”
“Of what offense?”
“Don't start again.”
The veteran officer moved toward her.
The CEO took a controlled breath.
She understood the danger.
The officer was becoming increasingly angry.
She didn't want to physically resist.
But she also wanted the encounter documented accurately.
“I don't consent to a search of my handbag.”
The sergeant held out his hand.
“Give it here.”
She remained still.
He grabbed the bag by its handle.
The sudden pull caused her arm to move forward.
She released it rather than struggle.
The officer opened the bag roughly.
He removed the wallet.
The makeup compact.
The lipstick.
A folded invitation from the awards event.
Then he looked inside the lining.
Nothing.
His expression became furious.
He reached deeper.
Turned the bag upside down.
And shook it.
Small personal belongings fell onto the pavement.
The CEO stared.
“Please don't damage my property.”
The sergeant looked up.
“Then tell me where it is.”
She paused.
“Where what is?”
He froze.
For one brief moment, his expression betrayed uncertainty.
The veteran officer turned toward him.
The younger officer stopped searching.
The sergeant recovered.
“Stolen property.”
The CEO studied him.
“What stolen property?”
He stared.
Then shoved the bag toward her.
She didn't reach for it quickly enough.
He threw it.
The handbag struck the pavement beside the curb.
Its contents scattered across the concrete.
A nearby pedestrian gasped.
The CEO looked down.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she slowly raised her eyes.
The sergeant was breathing hard.
His face had turned red.
“You think money makes you special?”
She remained quiet.
He pointed toward her dress.
“People like you always think the rules don't apply.”
Her expression tightened.
Then she answered.
“The rules apply to me.”
She paused.
“And to you.”
The sergeant stepped closer.
“Careful.”
The CEO looked toward the open supercar.
The younger officer was now kneeling beside the passenger seat.
The veteran stood behind him.
Both were examining the compartment beneath the seat.
The CEO's stomach tightened.
This was no longer a confused traffic stop.
The men were looking for something specific.
And the lead sergeant had just revealed that he knew more about the supposed evidence than he'd been willing to explain.
She kept her voice calm.
“Sergeant, what exactly do you believe is inside my car?”
He didn't answer.
She continued.
“Your officers are searching a storage compartment that has no connection to the registration.”