"Yes." "For what offense?" "Administrative verification." "That is not an offense."
"Place your hands behind your back." Maya looked at him. "Am I under arrest?" "You are being temporarily restrained while we verify ownership."
"My documents already verify ownership." The upload reached 64%. Mercer noticed it and tightened his grip on the baton. "Hands behind your back."
"What county rule authorizes handcuffs during a registration review?" Mercer looked at Hale. Hale gave a short nod. "Proceed."
Maya understood that they were creating a sequence of commands. If she continued asking questions, they would later describe the questions as refusal. She turned around. "State your name and badge number."
"Officer Travis Mercer. Place your hands behind your back." Maya complied. Mercer returned the baton to his belt and applied the handcuffs. She remained still.
Officer Noah Bennett stood near the patrol car. One hand rested beside his own baton, but he did not remove it. Maya looked at him. "You saw the documents. Everything matches."
Bennett looked at the registration in Mercer's hand, then at Hale. He said nothing. The upload reached 72%. Mercer opened the patrol car's rear door, then looked back at the Ducati. "We should shut that system down."
Ruth stepped closer to the edge of the road, keeping her phone aimed at him. "I can see the camera system," she called. "Do not damage it." Mercer turned toward her. "Stay back."
"I'm staying back." "You are interfering." "No, I am recording an officer discussing the destruction of evidence." Hale raised one hand. "Councilwoman, lower your voice."
Ruth did not lower the phone. The upload reached 79%. Mercer pulled the baton from his belt again and walked toward the motorcycle. Bennett spoke for the first time. "Travis, we should secure it intact."
Mercer did not stop. "If the system is taken into custody, the department can examine it later."
Maya watched the percentage rise. She could not reach the Ducati. She could not prevent Mercer from striking the transmitter. Ruth's recording might show the act, but it would not preserve Hale's original order unless the upload finished.
84%. Maya spoke clearly. "Officer Mercer, the footage is already being transferred. Damaging the device may not delete what has been sent."
He stood beside the instrument panel with the baton raised. "It will stop the rest." "Then everyone here will know why you stopped it." Ruth moved several feet to the side to keep Mercer, the baton, and the display in the same frame. Hale looked from Ruth to Maya, then to the upload indicator.
88%. "Mercer," Hale said, "leave the equipment intact." Mercer did not lower the baton. "You said the bike was stolen."