That composure irritated Derek more than anything else. He walked directly toward Malcolm until they were only inches apart. "You know what bothers me? " Derek asked. Malcolm remained silent. "You still act like you're in control? " He jabbed a finger into Malcolm's chest.
You've been searched. He jabbed him again. You've been handcuffed. Another shove. And in about five minutes, you'll be sitting in a holding cell.
Malcolm looked steadily into Derek's eyes. Maybe. The single word made Derek's jaw tighten. Maybe, he snapped. Malcolm answered quietly.
Things change quickly. Derek laughed loudly so everyone in the parking lot could hear, "Not for people wearing handcuffs. " The surrounding officers joined the laughter. Marcus watched the exchange without moving. He knew Malcolm wasn't provoking Derek. He was simply stating a fact.
Unfortunately, Derek heard only defiance. "Brandon," he barked. "Search him again. " Brandon immediately complied. He emptied Malcolm's pockets onto the hood of the patrol car. "A wallet, truck keys, several folded receipts, a small notebook, nothing more.
No weapon," Brandon reported. "No drugs, no cash worth mentioning. " Derek frowned. He searched the items himself. Then he picked up the small notebook. What do we got here?
He flipped through page after page. Most were filled with ordinary observations. Fuel purchases, mileage, weather notes, times, loc. You really write all this down? Malcolm answered calmly.
I like keeping accurate records. The words carried far more meaning than Derek realized. Every entry had been part of Malcolm's undercover investigation. Coded, organized, legally documented. Fortunately, the truly sensitive information had never been written inside that notebook.
Derek tossed it carelessly back under the hood. Waste of paper nearby. Marcus finally spoke. Please return his belongings exactly as you found them. Kyle Mercer laughed.
You planning to file a complaint? Marcus looked directly at him. If necessary, Kyle stepped closer. You know what happens to people who threaten cops around here? Marcus didn't blink.
I wasn't making a threat. I was making a promise. Emily Parker's live stream audience exploded again. Nearly 120,000 people were watching live. Comments streamed across the screen faster than she could read them.
That officer keeps pushing them. These brothers have stayed calm the entire time. Save every second of this video. Emily quietly switched her phone battery pack to ensure the live stream wouldn't end. Across the parking lot, Carl Dawson nervously approached Derek.
What? Carl lowered his voice. Maybe, maybe we should let them go. Derek slowly turned. What did you say?
Carl swallowed. I mean, they haven't really. Before he could finish, Derek cut him off. You called us. Yes.
You said they were suspicious. I did. So, don't lose your nerve now. Carl looked toward Malcolm. Their eyes met briefly.
There was no anger in Malcolm's expression, only disappointment. Carl immediately looked away. The weight of what he had started settled heavily on his conscience. At that same moment, inside the lead black SUV parked near the entrance, supervisory special agent Rebecca Lawson watched the entire scene through the windshield. She had ordered her convoy to stop outside the immediate perimeter for one reason.
Evidence. Every unnecessary action taken by the officers strengthened the federal case. An agent beside her checked his watch. Do we move? Rebecca shook her head.
Not yet. They're still documenting their own misconduct. Another agent watched Emily's live stream on a tablet. The public has already seen everything. Rebecca nodded.
And I want the officers to believe no one is coming. Back outside, Derek made his decision. We're done wasting time. He pointed toward Brandon. Transport him.
Brandon grabbed Malcolm's arm roughly. Marcus instinctively stepped forward. Kyle immediately blocked his path. I said, "Stay back. " Marcus looked from Kyle to Derek. You've searched him twice.
Yes. You've searched the truck? Yes. You found nothing. Derek shrugged.
Doesn't mean he's innocent. Marcus answered quietly. It also doesn't make him guilty. The sentence hung in the air. Several customers nodded almost instinctively.
One truck driver spoke loudly enough for others to hear. He's right. Another added, "They never found anything. The mood of the crowd shifted again. People were no longer passive observers.
They were becoming witnesses. Derek sensed it immediately. He couldn't allow sympathy to replace fear. He pointed toward Emily. You.
She looked up. Stop recording. Emily didn't lower her phone. I'm standing on public property. I said, "Stop.
I'm documenting what's happening. " Derek took two aggressive steps toward her. I can confiscate that phone. Before Emily could answer, three other customers instinctively raised their own phone. Then five more. Within seconds, more than a dozen cameras were pointed directly at Derek.
No one spoke, no one moved, but the message was unmistakable. If one recording disappeared, many others would remain. For the first time all morning, uncertainty crossed Derek Collins's face, only for a heartbeat, but Malcolm noticed. Marcus noticed. Rebecca Lawson noticed from inside the SUV.
Rebecca quietly smiled. The crowd just became our strongest witness. She reached for the encrypted radio. All units, every federal agent looked toward her. It's time.