Reynolds directed Victoria toward a chair.
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "Sit down."
Victoria lowered herself into the seat carefully. Her wrists were still secured behind her back, forcing her to adjust her posture to avoid pressing the cuffs against the edge of the chair.
She looked toward the officer.
VICTORIA HAYES: "Could you loosen these? They're cutting into my wrists."
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "They'll stay on until I decide otherwise."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I'm sitting down and cooperating. There's no reason to keep them this tight."
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "I'm responsible for your safety and mine."
VICTORIA HAYES: "Then please handle the situation professionally."
Reynolds ignored the last remark. He walked to the other side of the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down with a folder in front of him. The folder contained the preliminary information he had collected, but it did not include any verified evidence showing that Victoria had stolen the Mercedes.
He opened it and glanced at a few notes.
VICTORIA HAYES: "Before we continue, I would like your full name and badge number for my records."
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "You don't need to worry about that right now."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I believe I do. You have arrested me, and I need to know who is responsible for this decision."
Reynolds slowly closed the folder.
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "You seem to think you're in charge here."
VICTORIA HAYES: "No. I understand that you are the officer conducting this investigation. That doesn't mean I lose the right to ask reasonable questions."
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "You need to understand that arguing with me isn't going to help your situation."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I'm not arguing. I'm asking you to explain what I am accused of doing."
For a moment, Reynolds watched her in silence.
He had expected fear, anger, or perhaps an emotional attempt to persuade him to release her. Instead, Victoria continued to speak in measured sentences. Her voice was firm without becoming loud, and her questions remained focused on the same basic issue.
What evidence justified the detention?
Reynolds found her persistence irritating. He had already decided that she was suspicious, and he considered her refusal to accept his judgment an unnecessary complication.
He leaned back in his chair.
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "A vehicle matching the description of one reported stolen was brought to my attention. I found you beside it, behaving suspiciously."
VICTORIA HAYES: "What was the exact description in the report?"
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "A dark luxury SUV."
VICTORIA HAYES: "There must be more information than that. The make, model, registration, vehicle identification number, or some other distinguishing detail."
Reynolds did not immediately answer.
Victoria continued.
VICTORIA HAYES: "Was my license plate listed in the report?"
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "I was investigating the situation."
VICTORIA HAYES: "That doesn't answer the question."
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "You need to stop interrogating me."
Victoria looked at him steadily.
VICTORIA HAYES: "You are the one asking me questions. I am asking you to explain why I was handcuffed and brought here."
The officer's expression hardened again.
He was not accustomed to being challenged in such a controlled manner. People sometimes complained about police decisions, but Reynolds had learned to dismiss many objections as attempts to avoid responsibility. He had begun treating questions about procedure as personal attacks, and Victoria's legal precision made that habit especially difficult to maintain.
He stood and walked toward the door.
OFFICER JACK REYNOLDS: "I'll be back when you're ready to cooperate."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I have been cooperating since the moment you approached me."
Reynolds opened the door without responding and stepped into the corridor.
Victoria heard the lock click behind him.
For several seconds, she remained motionless, listening to the muffled sounds outside. A telephone rang. Someone called for an officer. Footsteps moved past the room and faded into the distance.
She looked at the camera in the corner.
At least part of the encounter was being recorded. That mattered. If the events were later reviewed, there might be a record of what she said, how she behaved, and whether she had been given an opportunity to explain herself.
She tried to adjust her arms again. The handcuffs had become increasingly uncomfortable, and she could feel the skin around her wrists growing tender.