Public street.
Morning traffic.
Houses nearby.
Then back.
“Five hundred?”
The Sergeant stepped closer.
“That’s right.”
“Cash?”
“Yes.”
“No receipt.”
The Sergeant’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t be cute.”
The Captain reached slowly toward his pocket.
The Sergeant smiled again.
Then the Captain removed his phone.
Not money.
Phone.
The Sergeant’s face changed.
“What are you doing?”
The Captain looked at the screen.
“Checking the time.”
“Put it away.”
The Captain did.
7:29.
The Sergeant moved closer.
“Do you have the cash or not?”
The Captain folded his arms.
“No.”
The Sergeant stared.
“No?”
“No.”
“You want the full citation?”
“If I committed a violation, write it.”
The Sergeant’s jaw tightened.
“That attitude is exactly what gets people in trouble.”
The Captain looked at him calmly.
“Then say the amount again.”
“What?”
“Five hundred.”
The Sergeant’s eyes narrowed.
“Why?”
The Captain glanced at the younger Officer.
“Because I want him to hear it clearly.”
The Sergeant followed his gaze.
The younger Officer immediately looked away.
The Sergeant’s face reddened.
“You trying to embarrass me?”
“No.”
“I’m making sure I understand.”
The Sergeant stepped into his personal space.
“You understand this.”
His index finger jabbed into the Captain’s chest.
Hard.
“Five hundred.”
“And you drive away.”
The Captain lowered his eyes toward the finger.
Then slowly looked up.
“Remove your hand.”
The Sergeant pushed.
The Captain took one step backward.
His hip hit the sedan.
The younger Officer moved slightly.
Then stopped.
The Captain saw.
The Sergeant said:
“You don’t tell me what to do.”
The Captain’s voice dropped.
“I just did.”
The Sergeant shoved again.
Harder.
The Captain’s back struck the car door.
A passing driver slowed.
The Sergeant looked toward the road.
Then grabbed the Captain’s lapel and pulled him away from the vehicle.
“You think because you’ve got some little badge you can disrespect me?”
The Captain did not raise his hands.
“Let go of my jacket.”
“Or what?”
The Captain looked directly at him.
“Or you will have another decision to explain.”
The Sergeant laughed.
“Explain to who?”
The Captain said nothing.
That silence irritated him more than any threat could have.
The Sergeant shook the lapel.
“You one of those guys who thinks wearing a suit makes him important?”
The Captain’s expression did not change.
The Sergeant continued.
“You know how many people flash badges at me?”
“How many retired guys think they can talk their way out of stops?”
“Consultants.”
“Security guards.”
“Reserve deputies.”
“Everybody’s somebody until I check.”
The Captain looked at him.
“Then check.”
The Sergeant’s eyes narrowed.
He pulled the Captain forward.
Then shoved him back into the sedan.
The Captain’s shoulder struck the roof pillar.