Yes. Thornton turned to Lawson. You believe that? Lawson shook his head, grinning. Greer leaned against the cruiser with his arms crossed, chewing gum.
Thornton held the registration up to the sunlight, squinting. This looks off to me. It’s not off. It’s from the Lexus dealership in Did I ask you where it’s from? Thornton stepped closer.
Close enough that Nicole could smell the cigarette on his breath. I said it looks off. That means it looks off. You understand that, sweetheart? Or do I need to speak slower?
Nicole’s jaw tightened. I understand. Good girl. Audrey set her water bottle down on the roof of the car. Slow. calm.
Her voice came out flat. Sergeant, you’ve seen the registration. You’ve seen her license. Is there something else you need? Thornton turned to Audrey like he’d just noticed her.
He looked her up and down, fitted black tee jeans, sneakers. Then he smiled. The kind of smile that isn’t a smile. What about you? You got ID in my bag.
In the car. Go get it. Audrey reached into the car and pulled out her wallet, handed him her driver’s license. Thornton held it between two fingers. Audrey Shaw.
Same last name, same face. He looked back and forth between them. Twins. Yes. Huh?
Thornton flicked the license with his thumb. Two black girls, same face, same car. You know what that usually means around here? Audrey didn’t answer. She knew exactly what he wanted her to say.
Thornton didn’t wait. It usually means one of you stole it and the other one’s along for the ride. He tossed both IDs onto the ground. The license skidded under the car. The registration landed in a small puddle of oil.
Nicole flinched. You can’t just pick them up. Nicole stared at him. I said, “Pick them up. ” Nicole bent down on her knees on the gas station concrete, reaching under the car for her own license. Her red dress dragged on the ground.
Thornton looked down at her and then over at Lawson. Lawson snorted. See, that’s where they belong. Right there. Nicole froze on her knees, hands still under the car.
She didn’t look up. Couldn’t. Audrey’s fingers curled into fists at her sides. Every muscle in her body said, “Move. ” Her training said, “Wait. ” Thornton crouched down to Nicole’s eye level. Let me tell you how this works, honey.