Angela noticed more neighbors gathering. The Wilsons had joined the Martinez family. Even teenage Jimmy Parker was filming from his second-story window. Good. The more witnesses, the better.
Two officers headed toward her front door while others spread out to cover the perimeter. Angela watched as they prepared to enter her home without showing any paperwork or legal justification.
"I do not consent to any searches," she announced firmly. "I want every officer's name and badge number, and I'm invoking my right to legal representation."
Captain Holt stepped closer, his voice low and threatening. "You're in no position to make demands. We can do this the easy way or the hard way."
Angela felt Griggs's grip tighten further, but she kept her face neutral. They were trying to provoke her into giving them an excuse to escalate. She would not give them the satisfaction.
With her free hand, she slowly reached toward her pocket. Several officers tensed, but she moved deliberately to show she was not a threat.
"I'm taking out my phone," she announced clearly. "I'm going to make a call to my husband."
Griggs snickered. "Oh, you're calling your husband? We're so scared."
Other officers joined in the laughter, but Angela ignored them as she calmly dialed. The phone rang twice before Marcus answered.
"Marcus," she said steadily, her voice carrying in the sudden quiet. "Ten cruisers, no warrant. Captain Holt is here."
The laughter died as they heard the steel in her voice. Angela noticed Captain Holt's smile falter slightly.
Marcus's voice came through clear and controlled. "Stay calm. Don't say another word. I'm handling this."
Angela lowered the phone but kept the line open. She met Captain Holt's gaze directly, saying nothing. The silence stretched as red and blue lights continued to paint the darkening street. In the distance, a dog barked, and somewhere a screen door slammed.
They had intended to intimidate her with this show of force. Instead, they had given her exactly what she needed: witnesses, evidence, and a direct line to someone who knew exactly how to fight back.
Angela stood perfectly still in Officer Griggs's painful grip, waiting. Sometimes the strongest response was simply refusing to be afraid.
The night air crackled with tension as Angela held the phone steady, Marcus's breathing audible on the line. Officer Griggs's fingers still dug into her arm, but she refused to show discomfort. The circle of police cruisers cast alternating red and blue shadows across the scene, their emergency lights painting everything in harsh, unnatural colors.
"Your husband going to come save you?" Griggs sneered, yanking her arm again. "Maybe he can phone in some backup from his little boat."
Several officers chuckled, but Angela noticed the laughter sounded forced now. She kept the line open so Marcus could hear everything.
Captain Holt stepped closer, polished shoes crunching on the asphalt. "Mrs. Brooks, this theatrical display won't change anything. We have probable cause, and we will search your property. Your phone call is just wasting everyone's time."
Angela's voice remained steady. "Marcus, they're insisting they have probable cause. Captain Holt is ordering a search without presenting any warrant or documentation."
"These cowboys think they can do whatever they want," Marcus replied, his voice tight with controlled anger. "Don't let them bait you into reacting. I'm making calls right now. Stay calm and keep that phone recording."