“Keep moving.”
Tessa looked at Nicole.
Nicole said nothing.
She did not need to.
Tessa pulled out her phone and began recording.
Hayes saw it.
His posture changed.
There were now two cameras he did not control.
“Both of you need to stop interfering.”
Tessa’s eyebrows rose.
“I’m standing in my parking lot.”
“This is an active investigation.”
“Into Nicole sitting in her car?”
Hayes pointed toward the building.
“Ma’am, go inside.”
Tessa remained where she was.
Nicole spoke.
“Officer Hayes, I’m going to retrieve my federal credentials from the passenger seat. I’m telling you before I move.”
“Don’t reach.”
“My hands are visible.”
“Stay where you are.”
“You asked for identification.”
“I asked you to step out.”
Nicole looked directly at him.
“I will provide credentials from where I am.”
She moved slowly.
Her gym bag rested on the passenger seat.
She pulled it toward her with two fingers.
Unzipped it.
Removed a credential wallet.
Opened it.
ATF badge.
Photograph.
Name.
Title.
Agency.
Hayes looked.
Not carefully.
Less than a second.
“Those could be fake.”
Nicole actually paused.
Not because she was uncertain.
Because the statement was so reckless it briefly surprised her.
“Then verify them.”
Hayes reached for the exterior door handle.
Nicole’s voice changed.
It remained controlled, but the warmth disappeared.
“Do not open my door.”
“Step out.”
“Verify the credentials.”
He pulled the handle.
The door was unlocked.
It opened several inches.
Nicole immediately shifted away from him but kept her hands visible.
“Do not touch me.”
Hayes widened the door.
“Out.”
Tessa gasped.
“Officer!”
Nicole’s phone captured everything.
“Officer Hayes, I am not resisting. I am not attempting to leave. I have provided federal credentials and requested verification. Do not put your hands on me.”
Hayes reached toward her forearm.
Nicole pulled it back.
He stopped.
For the first time, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.
It lasted less than a second.
“Get out.”
Nicole looked at him.
Then pressed a contact on her phone.
Thomas Rodriguez answered on the second ring.
“Rodriguez.”
“Tom, it’s Foster.”
Something in Nicole’s tone made him stop whatever he had been doing.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m at my residence. Phoenix PD officer has detained me in my assigned parking space. He has refused to verify my credentials and opened my vehicle door.”
Rodriguez stood.
“Are you physically okay?”
“Yes.”
“Is a weapon involved?”
“His is holstered. Mine is secured. No threats from me.”
“Officer name?”
“Brandon Hayes.”
There was a pause.
“Stay calm.”
“I am.”
“I’m contacting Phoenix command and sending agents to you. Do not escalate. Do not leave unless you need to for safety.”
“Understood.”
Hayes heard the exchange.
He tried to recover authority.
“Who are you calling?”