Then he looked at the SUV.
“Step out of the vehicle.”
She took a breath.
“I'll cooperate. I'd still like to know the reason.”
The younger officer leaned closer.
“You don't get to negotiate.”
She kept her voice level.
“I'm not negotiating. I'm asking for information.”
The older officer placed one hand on the roof.
“Ma'am, just get out.”
The commander looked at him.
She could see that he was less angry than his partner.
But he was allowing the younger officer to control the encounter.
“Are your body cameras recording?” she asked.
The question changed everything.
For half a second, neither officer answered.
The younger man's jaw tightened.
The older officer glanced toward his chest.
The commander noticed both reactions.
Then the younger officer stepped closer.
“Unlock the door.”
She looked at him.
“I've said I'll cooperate. Please explain the stop.”
He pointed toward the interior lock.
“Last chance.”
The commander felt her pulse quicken.
Not from fear alone.
From recognition.
She had encountered people who used authority responsibly.
She had also encountered people who treated every request for explanation as a personal insult.
The younger officer belonged to the second category.
She looked toward the road.
A silver sedan had slowed behind the patrol cars.
Its passenger was holding up a phone.
Another vehicle stopped farther back.
The officers noticed the witnesses.
The younger officer's face darkened.
“Unlock it!”
The commander raised both palms.
“I'm not resisting. I'm asking why I was stopped.”
The officer reached through the open window.
He found the interior door control.
Then he pulled.
The door opened abruptly.
His hand clamped around her forearm.
“Out!”
The commander attempted to step carefully onto the gravel.
Her pointed heels made the uneven surface difficult, and the heavy coat shifted around her legs.
Before she could establish her footing, the older officer moved behind her and seized her shoulder.
The younger officer pulled her forward.
She stumbled against the SUV.
“Slow down!” she said sharply. “I'm getting out!”
“Then quit fighting!”
“I'm not fighting!”
The younger officer pushed her toward the side of the vehicle.
The older officer pressed a hand against her upper back.
The commander's jaw tightened.
She could feel their grip becoming more forceful.
She knew any sudden movement might be misinterpreted.
So she spoke loudly.