Shaw cracked his knuckles. Cole kept glancing at the credential wallets. Pike raised his voice. I have authority to investigate reported crimes.
Breaking and entering is a felony. If you don't cooperate, you'll be detained and searched. Searched for what? Maya demanded.
Whatever you stole from inside. We didn't steal anything. We live here. Says you.
Pike gestured to Shaw and Mercer. Move closer. If they run, stop them. The officers closed ranks.
Naomi's hand brushed against a small device mounted beside the front door. The porch security camera's microphone activated with a barely audible click. Pike placed one boot on the first wooden step. The boards creaked under his weight.
"Last warning," he said, his voice carrying the promise of violence. "You can come down willingly, or all four of us will bring you down. Your choice." Pike's boot hit the second step with deliberate force.
The wood groaned under his weight as he climbed higher, his eyes locked on Maya's face with predatory focus. "I said come down here," he growled, reaching the third step. Now Shaw circled toward Naomi's side of the porch, his thick frame moving with aggressive purpose. Mercer positioned himself across the walkway, cutting off any escape route to the driveway.
The three men formed a triangle of intimidation around the bottom of the porch. Maya raised her voice clear and commanding. Keep your hands visible. All of you.
Pike laughed, a harsh sound that echoed across the yard. You giving orders now? Real cute. "You are standing on private property without consent," Maya continued, her tone steady, despite the tension crackling through the air.
"You have no warrant, no probable cause, and no lawful authority to detain us." "Listen to her," Pike said to his officers, mockery dripping from every word. "Think she's a lawyer now. Maybe she watched some TV shows in county lockup."
Shaw snickered. Cole remained silent, his nervous eyes darting between the twins and his sergeant. Pike climbed another step, close enough now that Maya could smell the coffee on his breath. "You want to know about authority? Here's your authority."
He reached for Maya's wrist with practiced confidence. The same grab he had used on dozens of suspects over the years. His thick fingers closed around her arm.
Maya moved. Her body pivoted with fluid precision. Trained reflexes taking over. She twisted her wrist in a sharp counterclockwise motion, breaking Pike's grip with textbook defensive tactics.
His momentum carried him forward as she stepped aside. Pike stumbled, his balance gone and grabbed desperately for the porch railing to keep from falling. The railing shuddered under his weight as he caught himself breathing hard. Shaw's face contorted with rage.