David stopped.
A patrol car had pulled into the parking lot behind him.
Its headlights illuminated his back.
The driver's door opened, and a female police officer stepped out.
Her name was Officer Jessica Miller.
She was thirty-two, wearing a neatly pressed police uniform, a duty belt, and a body camera clipped to the center of her chest. Her blonde hair was pulled tightly into a regulation bun.
She looked at David, then at the black bag in his hand.
"Put that down."
David slowly turned his head.
"Good evening, officer."
"I said put the bag down."
David glanced at the bag.
"Is there a problem?"
Jessica approached, her boots striking the pavement.
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
"Then ask me."
Her expression hardened.
"Don't get smart with me."
David remained motionless.
"I'm not trying to."
Jessica stopped approximately six feet away.
"What are you doing here?"
"Taking out the trash."
"At midnight?"
David looked toward the trash enclosure.
"That's generally when people take out trash after finishing work."
Jessica didn't appreciate the response.
She glanced at his clothes, his hands, and the large black bag.
"Where do you live?"
"Not far."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the answer I have."
Jessica shifted her weight and placed one hand near the holster on her duty belt.
David noticed.
His eyes briefly dropped toward her hand before returning to her face.
"Officer, I haven't done anything."
"Then you shouldn't have a problem answering a few questions."
"I don't have a problem answering questions. I have a problem with being treated like a suspect before you've even told me what you're investigating."
Jessica's jaw tightened.
"You're standing in a restricted parking area carrying a suspicious bag."
David looked around.
"Restricted?"
"Private property."
He nodded toward the building beside them.
"That's the maintenance facility. I work here."
Jessica paused.
"Who do you work for?"
"The property management company."
"Name?"
"Northbridge Facilities."
She pulled out a small notepad.
"Identification."
David didn't immediately move.
"May I ask why?"
"Because I told you to provide it."
"Is there a specific crime you're investigating?"
Jessica stared at him.
"Are you refusing to cooperate?"
David sighed.
"No. I'm asking you to explain what's happening."
She stepped closer.
"Listen carefully. I don't know who you think you are, but this conversation is going to happen on my terms."
David looked directly at her.
"That's exactly what worries me."
For a moment, neither moved.
The patrol car's headlights continued shining across the asphalt.
Jessica's hand remained near her holster.
David's right hand held the black bag.
And neither of them seemed willing to back down.
THE BAG
Jessica pointed toward the ground.
"Put it down."
David looked at the bag again.
"There's nothing dangerous in here."
"Then you won't mind showing me."
"That's not how this works."
Jessica raised her eyebrows.
"Excuse me?"
"You don't get to search someone's belongings simply because you don't like the way they look."
Her expression changed.
"Watch your attitude."
David lowered his eyes briefly.
Not because he was intimidated.
Because he was trying to decide whether continuing the conversation was worth the trouble.
He had seen this kind of confrontation before.
Different uniforms.
Different faces.
Same assumption.
People who believed that authority gave them permission to humiliate someone before establishing the facts.
David slowly raised his head.
"Officer, I'm going to give you one opportunity to handle this professionally."
Jessica almost laughed.
"One opportunity?"
"Yes."
"You think you're giving me orders?"
"No. I'm asking you to remember that I'm a human being."
Jessica's face became cold.