The words landed heavily between them. Kofi looked up, then glanced toward the surveillance camera. He had not expected the inspection to become a confrontation, and he was beginning to wonder why Amara reacted so strongly whenever David asked for documentation.
Amara set the evidence bag down with a sharp movement.
Officer Amara: "You need to stop acting as if you are in charge."
David Okafor: "I have never said I was in charge."
Officer Amara: "Your attitude says otherwise."
David Okafor: "My attitude is not the issue. The issue is the object you are accusing me of carrying."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Beyond the partition, a family passed with two small suitcases, and a boarding announcement echoed from the terminal speakers. The airport continued its ordinary morning routine, but the three people at the inspection table had become completely focused on one another.
Amara stepped closer to David.
Officer Amara: "I am giving you one last opportunity to cooperate without making this worse."
David remained where he was.
David Okafor: "I have been cooperating. I will continue to cooperate with a proper inspection. But I will not claim ownership of something that does not belong to me."
Officer Amara: "You are accusing an officer of misconduct."
David Okafor: "I am asking you to explain the evidence."
Officer Amara: "You know exactly what you're doing."
David Okafor: "Yes. I'm asking you to document what you say you found."
Amara's expression darkened. She turned toward Kofi as though expecting him to reinforce her authority.
Officer Amara: "Mensah, tell him to stop interfering."
Kofi hesitated.
Officer Kofi: "Sir, please remain behind the line while we clarify the inspection."
David Okafor: "I am behind the line. I haven't touched the evidence or either of you."
Officer Kofi: "I can see that."
Amara shot him a warning look.
Officer Amara: "You don't need to take his side."
Officer Kofi: "I'm not taking anyone's side. I'm asking him to remain where he is."
David nodded slightly, acknowledging Kofi's instruction.
David Okafor: "I have no intention of moving."
Amara turned back to him, visibly frustrated that the exchange had not produced the fear or confusion she seemed to expect.
Officer Amara: "You will answer my questions without challenging every statement I make."
David Okafor: "Then ask questions that help establish what happened."
Officer Amara: "Do you own an electric stun device?"
David Okafor: "No."
Officer Amara: "Have you ever owned one?"
David Okafor: "That is not relevant to where this particular device came from."
Officer Amara: "Answer the question."
David Okafor: "No, I do not own one."
Amara held his gaze, then looked down at the bag. Her fingers tightened around the plastic, producing a faint crinkling sound. David noticed that she kept lifting the object whenever she wanted to interrupt him, using its presence as though it ended the discussion.
But it did not answer the most important question.
How had it entered his suitcase?
David Okafor: "I want a supervisor called to this checkpoint."
Officer Amara: "A supervisor is not necessary."
David Okafor: "Then there should be no reason to refuse."
Officer Amara: "I decide when a supervisor is needed."
David Okafor: "And I am asking for one because you have accused me of carrying a prohibited object that I do not recognize."
Amara leaned forward, lowering her voice.
Officer Amara: "You should be careful. A false accusation against an officer can create problems for you."
David looked directly at her.
David Okafor: "I have not accused you of anything yet. I have asked you to explain what happened."
Kofi's expression changed. David had deliberately drawn a distinction between questioning an inspection and alleging misconduct. Amara, however, appeared determined to treat both as the same thing.
Officer Amara: "You're trying to make me look incompetent."
David Okafor: "I don't need to make you look anything. I need you to show me the evidence."
Amara suddenly struck the table with the palm of her hand. The metallic bang startled Kofi and drew the attention of a traveler on the other side of the partition. David flinched slightly at the noise but did not step toward her.
Officer Amara: "Enough!"
The shout echoed through the inspection area.
David waited until she finished.
David Okafor: "I am not shouting at you. I am not threatening you. I am asking for a supervisor and an accurate record."
Officer Amara: "You will do as you're told."
David Okafor: "I will follow lawful instructions. That does not mean I must agree with an accusation that has not been established."