Miller looked toward him.
The Black Man continued.
“Do not interfere with your Sergeant.”
Calder smiled.
“Finally.”
Then the Black Man added:
“Just make sure your body camera stays on.”
Calder’s smile disappeared.
Miller understood.
He touched his chest camera.
Red light.
Recording.
Calder turned the Black Man around roughly.
For the first time they faced each other directly.
The Black Man’s eyes were calm.
Almost too calm.
That bothered Calder more than resistance would have.
Calder lifted the badge.
“You really think this protects you?”
“No.”
“What?”
The Black Man nodded toward the street behind him.
“It protects the evidence.”
Calder frowned.
Then engines came from the intersection.
Not sirens.
Engines.
Heavy.
Several.
The younger Officer turned first.
A black Chevrolet Suburban entered from the east.
Then another.
Then two more from the opposite direction.
All unmarked.
Dark glass.
Federal-style antennas.
They slowed together.
One blocked the lane behind the police cruiser.
Another stopped in front of the Lamborghini.
The third angled across the service entrance.
The fourth remained twenty yards away.
Doors opened.
Men and women stepped out in plain clothes and tactical vests.
Large yellow letters across the chest.
FBI.
Calder’s face emptied.
The younger Officer whispered:
“Oh, no.”
The Black Man looked at Calder.
“Those are my agents.”
Nobody moved for three seconds.
Then one of the federal agents approached quickly.
Black woman.
Late thirties.
Dark suit pants beneath a tactical vest.
Badge displayed.
She stopped ten feet away.
“Sir?”
The Black Man replied:
“I’m fine.”
Her eyes went to the cuffs.
Then to the glass.
Then to Calder holding the FBI credential wallet.
Her face became very still.
“Sergeant.”
Calder raised one hand.
“This is a lawful detention.”
The Agent stared.
“For what?”
“Possible stolen vehicle.”
She looked at the Lamborghini.
Then toward Miller.
Miller answered before Calder could.
“Registration matches him.”
Calder snapped:
“Miller!”
The Agent looked back to Calder.
“Why is he cuffed?”
“He refused commands.”
The Black Man said:
“No.”
Calder turned.
“Stop talking.”
The Agent’s expression sharpened.
The Black Man looked at her.
“Let him finish.”
The Agent stopped.
That surprised Calder.