She assaulted him. She attacked a police officer. He charged up the steps, his heavy boots pounding against the wood. Naomi moved between them like a wall, her hands raised but not threatening.
"Stop," she commanded, her voice cutting through Shaw's fury. "Everyone stop right now." Shaw pulled up short, inches from Naomi's position. Pike straightened against the railing, his face burning with humiliation.
Three of his officers had just watched a suspect break his hold without breaking a sweat. "You want to resist arrest?" Pike snarled, his authority cracking like thin ice. "You want to assault police officers? Fine. You just made this a felony."
Maya's eyes blazed. "I defended myself against unlawful contact."
You grabbed me without cause. Unlawful contact? Pike's voice rose to a shout. I'm conducting an investigation.
You attacked me. I removed your hand from my person. Maya said coldly. Nothing more.
Shaw jabbed a finger toward her. Bull. You threw him down those steps. I did not strike anyone.
I did not use force. I simply moved away from unwanted contact. Pike pushed away from the railing. His composure shattered.
The calm confidence he had projected moments earlier was gone, replaced by raw anger and wounded pride. "That's assault on a police officer," he declared, his voice shaking with fury. "Both of you are under arrest." Maya and Naomi looked at each other.
A single glance passed between the twins. Silent communication that had developed over 36 years of shared experiences. Then, with movements so synchronized they might have been choreographed, both women reached inside their jackets. Pike tensed.
Shaw's hand dropped toward his weapon. Mercer stepped forward. The twins pulled their hands free in perfect unison. Gold federal badges caught the afternoon sunlight like mirrors.
Special Agent Maya Carter, FBI. Special Agent Naomi Carter, FBI. The credentials hung in the air between them, official and undeniable. The FBI eagles gleamed against black leather cases.
Identification photos matched the faces staring back at the officers. Cole immediately stepped backward, his hands rising away from his belt. His face went pale as the implications hit him. Shaw's mouth fell open.
Mercer froze in place. Pike stared at the badges for three long seconds. Then his expression hardened into something uglier than before. Nice try, he said, his voice dripping with contempt.