Mercer crossed his arms. "We've had problems around here." "What kind?" "Break-ins. People casing houses." Vanessa glanced at the quiet street. Children's bicycles lay near one driveway, sprinklers clicked across manicured lawns, and an elderly man watered roses two houses away. "Do I match the description of a suspect?"
Mercer stared. "You're standing outside a house that isn't yours." "That's legal." "You're getting smart with me." "No." Vanessa lowered her voice. "I'm being precise."
That irritated him more. Mercer stepped closer until less than two feet separated them. "Around here, when law enforcement asks who you are, you answer." Vanessa met his eyes. "Around here?" "You heard me." "Yes." She paused. "That phrase appears in several complaints about your department."
Mercer's face changed. Only slightly. But Vanessa saw it. "What did you say?" She repeated herself. "Several residents said deputies told them, 'Around here, you answer when we ask.'"
One deputy behind Mercer shifted uncomfortably. The sheriff looked toward him, then back at Vanessa. "Who the hell are you?" Vanessa almost answered. Instead, she asked, "Why does that suddenly matter?"
Mercer reached toward her arm. She stepped back. "Don't touch me." His hand closed around her wrist. The movement was quick, unnecessary, and unmistakably deliberate.
Vanessa's entire posture changed. "Release me." Mercer grabbed her other wrist too. One deputy looked alarmed. "Sheriff..." "Stay back."
Vanessa did not pull away. That mattered. She planted both feet and allowed Mercer to hold her hands while looking directly into his face. "You have no lawful basis to restrain me." Mercer leaned closer. "I decide what basis I need." The deputy behind him looked toward his body camera. Vanessa noticed. "Is your camera active, Deputy?" Mercer snapped his head toward her. "Don't talk to my men." Vanessa remained perfectly calm. "You should want it active." Mercer's fingers tightened around her wrist. "I said stop talking." She looked down at his hands. Then back at him. "Enjoy your last minute of power, Sheriff."
For the first time, Mercer hesitated. "What?" Vanessa's expression did not change. "You heard me." Mercer leaned closer until she could smell coffee on his breath. "You think one smart mouth is going to scare me?" Vanessa looked over his shoulder. "No." A low engine rumble entered the street. Mercer heard it too.
Three black SUVs turned around the corner together. Then a fourth. The vehicles moved slowly, deliberately, and stopped behind the sheriff's cruisers. Doors opened almost simultaneously. Men and women in dark business suits stepped out. One carried a state evidence case. Another wore a visible badge clipped to his belt. A third began photographing the scene before saying a word.
Mercer released one of Vanessa's wrists. "What is this?" Vanessa looked at his remaining hand. "Both." He let go. The deputy standing behind him went pale.