No weapon.
Of course.
He reached toward the structured handbag still visible on the passenger seat.
Danielle turned.
“No.”
Miller stopped.
“No?”
“You do not have consent to search my bag.”
He stared.
“You got something in there?”
“That is not consent.”
Miller smiled.
“There you go again.”
Hayes spoke quietly.
“Derek.”
Miller ignored him.
Danielle heard the first name.
Useful.
Miller reached through the open driver's door.
Danielle moved one step toward him.
“Do not search that bag.”
Miller turned quickly.
“Back up.”
Danielle stopped.
“I am explicitly withholding consent.”
“You’re detained.”
“That does not automatically authorize a search of closed personal property.”
Miller stepped directly in front of her.
“You want to tell me how policing works now?”
Danielle looked him in the eyes.
“Not yet.”
The answer confused him.
“What does that mean?”
“Exactly what I said.”
Hayes moved closer.
“Ma’am, just relax.”
Danielle's gaze shifted.
“Do not tell me to relax.”
Hayes raised one hand.
“Okay.”
Miller shook his head.
“She’s escalating.”
Danielle looked at him.
“No.”
“You are.”
“You ordered me from my vehicle, conducted a frisk, found nothing, and are now attempting to search a closed bag without consent.”
Miller leaned closer.
“Keep lecturing me.”
Danielle's voice became colder.
“Your body camera is doing the lecture for me.”
Silence.
Miller’s face changed.
Danielle knew that look.
He was no longer making a decision only about her.
He was making a decision about his authority in front of Hayes.
In front of a camera.
In front of passing witnesses.
That was the dangerous moment.
Miller reached for her wrist.
Danielle pulled it back instinctively.
His other hand came up.
“Don't resist.”
“I am not resisting.”
He grabbed harder.
Hayes stepped in.
“Derek, hold up.”
Miller turned.
“She pulled away.”
Danielle said:
“From an unexplained grab.”
Miller twisted her arm behind her.
Her handbag strap slid from the open door and fell onto the driver's seat.
Danielle felt pain run through her shoulder.
Not severe.
Enough.
“Officer Miller.”
“Hands behind your back.”
“You already have one.”
“Give me the other.”
Danielle looked toward Hayes.
“This is the point where you decide whether you're observing or participating.”
Hayes stared.
Miller snapped:
“Don’t talk to him.”
Danielle's voice sharpened.
“He’s an officer, not your employee.”
Miller pushed her lightly against the SUV.
Metal against her hip.
A nearby vehicle stopped completely now.
The woman inside raised a phone.
Miller noticed.
“Keep moving!”
The driver ignored him.
Danielle said:
“Don't threaten witnesses.”
“Shut up.”
Hayes said:
“Derek.”
Miller turned.
“What?”
“We’ve got nothing.”
Danielle heard it.
Miller did too.
Everything paused.
Hayes continued: