breath, preparing for the moment of revelation. She turned her head,
looking over her shoulder directly at Thomas Sterling.
The Mayor stopped dead in his tracks. His warm, political smile
vanished instantly, replaced by a look of sheer, unadulterated horror.
The blood drained from his face. He blinked rapidly, as if his eyes were
deceiving him. He looked at the dirty, grass-stained hoodie, the
handcuffs biting into the wrists, and the unmistakable, commanding
ood morning, Thomas," Maya replied smoothly, her tone
conversational, completely ignoring the fact that she was in handcuffs.
The Mayor stepped forward, his hands trembling slightly. "My God.
What... what is happening here?" He turned to the two officers, his voice
suddenly echoing with a thunderous rage that neither Miller nor Vance
had ever heard from the usually composed politician. "Take those cuffs
off her. NOW!"
Miller was stunned. He looked at the Mayor, then at Maya,
confusion breaking his arrogant facade. "Sir? She's a suspect. She
resisted—"
"I said take the damn cuffs off her!" the Mayor roared, pointing a
shaking finger at Miller. "Do you have any idea who you just assaulted?"
Vance, realizing something was catastrophically wrong, practically
shoved Miller aside and fumbled for his handcuff keys. His hands were
shaking so badly he dropped the keys on the pavement. He scrambled to
pick them up, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Mr. Mayor, I don't understand," Miller stammered, stepping back,
the reality of the situation slowly, horrifyingly dawning on him.
Vance finally managed to unlock the cuffs. Maya brought her arms
forward slowly, wincing as the blood rushed back into her hands. she
rubbed her deeply bruised wrists, her eyes fixed on the two terrified
officers.
The Mayor stepped up beside Maya, looking thoroughly
embarrassed and apologetic. He turned to the officers, his voice
dripping with venom. "Officers Miller and Vance, allow me to introduce
you. This is Maya Jenkins. And as of ten o'clock this morning, she is your
new Chief of Police."
The words hit Miller like a physical blow. He actually staggered
back a step, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Vance looked
like he was going to vomit. The color completely drained from both
their faces, leaving them pale and wide-eyed in the morning sun.