The older officer approached from the passenger side.
Both looked intensely focused on the SUV.
The commander watched their movements.
She noticed the younger officer's hand hovering near his duty belt.
She noticed the older officer looking through the windows.
Then she noticed something else.
Neither body camera displayed the recording indicators she expected to see.
That did not automatically prove the devices were inactive.
Different systems used different signals.
But the observation concerned her.
The younger officer reached the driver's window.
“Roll it down!”
She lowered it several inches.
“Good afternoon, Officer.”
“Window down. All the way.”
She considered the request, then complied.
The officer leaned toward the opening.
“License and registration.”
She kept her hands visible.
“Certainly. May I ask why I was stopped?”
The officer's expression changed.
“You'll know when I tell you.”
“I'd appreciate knowing the reason.”
He stepped closer.
“Are you deaf?”
The commander felt the first unmistakable warning.
It was not the question itself.
It was the contempt in his voice.
She looked at him calmly.
“No. I heard you.”
“Then stop asking questions and get your license.”
She nodded.
“My license is in my handbag. May I reach for it?”
The officer glanced toward the bag.
“Slowly.”
She moved her right hand toward the passenger seat.
The massive black handbag rested beside a folded coat cover and a bottle of water.
She opened the top compartment and removed her wallet.
Then she retrieved her driver's license.
She handed it through the window.
The officer looked at it.
His eyes moved from the identification to her face.
Then to the expensive interior of the SUV.
Then back to the card.
The commander noticed his expression becoming increasingly hostile.
“Where'd you get this vehicle?”
She frowned.
“I own it.”
He laughed.
“That wasn't what I asked.”
She remained calm.
“I purchased it.”
“With what money?”
The commander stared at him.
“Officer, is there a problem with my registration?”
His face hardened.
“Don't get clever with me.”
The older officer approached the driver's side.
He glanced toward his partner.
“Everything all right?”
The younger officer held up the license.
“She thinks she's in charge.”
The commander looked toward the older man.
“I've asked why I was stopped. Your partner hasn't explained.”
The older officer studied her.