"Put the bag down. Now."
David did not move.
She took another step.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
David looked at her duty belt.
Then at the body camera.
Then directly into her eyes.
"Your camera is recording, correct?"
"Of course."
"Good."
He adjusted his grip on the bag.
"Then everything that's about to happen will be documented."
Jessica frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means you should be careful about what you say next."
Her hand moved closer to her holster.
"Are you threatening me?"
David shook his head.
"No, officer."
His voice was calm.
"I'm warning you about your own decisions."
Jessica stared at him for several seconds.
Then she pointed toward the black bag.
"Open it."
David remained silent.
"Open it!"
He slowly lifted the bag.
Jessica immediately shifted backward, her eyes widening slightly.
"Put it down!"
David stopped.
For the first time, his expression became noticeably sharper.
He raised the heavy black bag to chest level, holding it directly between them.
Jessica stared at it.
"What are you doing?"
David's voice dropped.
"You're so certain there's something suspicious inside."
He looked straight at her.
"So let's stop guessing."
Jessica's hand hovered near her holster.
"Don't move!"
David held the bag steady.
"Then look carefully."
THE FIRST REVELATION
The bag made a strange metallic sound.
Clank.
Jessica's eyes narrowed.
"What is that?"
David didn't answer.
He slowly lowered the bag onto the asphalt.
The bottom hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Jessica stepped forward.
"Open it."
David looked at her.
"Before I do, I want you to understand something."
"I don't want a speech."
"You should."
He reached toward the knot at the top.
Jessica immediately raised her voice.
"Hands where I can see them!"
David stopped.
"All right."
He raised both hands slightly.
Then he pointed toward the bag.
"You're welcome to look."
Jessica approached cautiously.
Her flashlight illuminated the black plastic.
She noticed something underneath the material.
A rectangular object.
Possibly a metal case.
She crouched slightly.
"What exactly is inside?"
David answered quietly.
"Evidence."
Jessica looked up.
"Evidence of what?"
"Something that happened here."
"When?"
"Eleven years ago."
Jessica's expression changed.
She glanced toward the empty parking lot.
"Are you telling me this bag contains evidence of a crime?"
David nodded.
"Yes."
"What crime?"
He looked at her for a long moment.
"An investigation that was officially closed."
Jessica slowly straightened.
"What's your name?"
"David Morgan."
"Occupation?"
David hesitated.
Then he answered.
"I used to investigate crimes."
Jessica's eyes narrowed.
"You're a detective?"
"Not anymore."
"Retired?"
"Something like that."
She studied him more carefully.
The worn clothes.
The old sneakers.
The gray sleeveless shirt.
Nothing about him looked particularly threatening.
But there was something unsettling about his composure.
He didn't seem frightened.
He didn't seem confused.
And he certainly didn't seem surprised by her behavior.
Jessica returned her attention to the bag.
"Why are you carrying this around?"
"Because somebody tried to destroy it."
"Who?"
David looked toward the black SUV.
"That's what I was hoping to find out."
Jessica followed his gaze.
"Is that your vehicle?"
"No."
"Whose is it?"
"I don't know."
"Then why are you standing next to it?"
David didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he reached into his front pocket.
Jessica's hand snapped toward her weapon.
"Don't!"
David froze.
"Easy."
"Hands up!"
He slowly raised both hands.
"I was reaching for my phone."
"Don't reach for anything!"
David looked at her.
Then, very carefully, he lowered his right hand.
"All right."
The silence returned.
A faint breeze moved through the parking lot.
Jessica's radio suddenly crackled.
"Unit Twelve, respond."