“My knee.”
“Stop resisting.”
“I am not resisting.”
The Old Man’s voice rose for the first time.
Not loud.
Firm.
“Give me my cane and explain why you are arresting me.”
The Officer pushed him against the roof.
“You are being detained for obstruction.”
The Old Man turned his head.
“Obstruction of what?”
“You.”
“Keep.”
“Talking.”
The Officer pulled one wrist back.
Reached for cuffs.
The Old Man’s eyes moved toward the road.
That was when he saw them.
Vehicles.
Several.
Stopped along the shoulder and right lane behind the patrol cruiser.
Doors opening.
People stepping out.
Uniformed personnel.
A command vehicle farther back.
The Old Man’s expression changed.
Not relief.
Annoyance.
He had wanted them to stay away.
They had ignored him.
Or somebody had decided the situation had crossed the line.
The Officer noticed his gaze.
Turned slightly.
Saw several figures moving toward them.
He scoffed.
“Friends of yours?”
The Old Man said nothing.
The Officer pulled his wrist tighter.
“Think knowing somebody important changes anything?”
“No.”
The Officer looked back.
A group was approaching now.
Their movements disciplined.
Fast.
The Old Man recognized the senior man at the front.
A Colonel.
Good officer.
Too protective.
This was about to become exactly the spectacle the Old Man had hoped to avoid.
The Police Officer looked again.
“What are they doing?”
The Old Man’s voice was tired.
“Coming here.”
“Why?”
“Probably because you answered my phone.”
The Officer laughed.
“You think those guys are going to interfere in a traffic stop?”
“No.”
The Old Man turned his head slightly.
“But they’re going to ask why you’re putting handcuffs on me.”
The Officer tightened his grip.
“What?”
The Old Man looked toward the approaching group.
Then back.
“I suggest you release my wrist before they reach us.”
The Officer shoved him harder against the car.
“Is that a threat?”
“No.”
The Old Man’s voice became almost calm again.
“It is the last piece of advice I am giving you.”
The Officer pulled the second wrist backward.
“You think those people scare me?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
The Old Man exhaled.
“I think what happens next is going to embarrass you.”
The Officer reached for the cuffs.
Behind him, boots struck pavement.
Multiple sets.
Then stopped.
All at once.
The Officer looked over his shoulder.
Six personnel stood twenty feet away.
Perfectly still.
The senior man at the front stared at the Officer’s hands.
Then at the Old Man pressed against the sedan.
His face went pale.
The Officer frowned.
“What?”
No answer.
A second group stepped from vehicles behind them.