Reed stopped.

But he did not look convinced.

Ava noticed.

So did several people nearby.

Mercer turned back toward her.

"Bag."

Ava sighed.

"Officer, you haven't explained a lawful reason for searching my property."

"I'll explain after I check."

"No."

Mercer stepped closer.

"I'm not asking again."

Ava looked directly into his eyes.

"Then don't."

A few people murmured.

Mercer reached toward the cart.

Ava stepped back.

"Do not take my bag."

Mercer stopped.

The body camera attached to his uniform continued recording.

Ava pointed toward it.

"Your camera is recording this, correct?"

"Yes."

"Good."

She did not grab the bag.

She did not push him.

She did not raise her voice.

She simply stepped away and allowed him to make his own decision.

Mercer took the handbag from the cart.

He placed it on the hood.

Then he opened it.

Ava watched.

Inside were ordinary things.

A wallet.

Keys.

Phone charger.

Notebook.

Hand sanitizer.

Lip balm.

A small packet of tissues.

Nothing that suggested stolen merchandise.

Reed stood beside the cruiser.

His discomfort became obvious.

"Daniel."

Mercer ignored him.

He continued searching.

Ava remained silent.

That silence made Mercer uncomfortable.

He seemed to expect anger.

Most people reacted when they felt threatened.

They shouted.

They pleaded.

They demanded explanations.

They made emotional mistakes.

Ava did none of those things.

She simply watched.

Mercer reached into an interior compartment.

His fingers touched something hard.

He pulled it out.

A black leather wallet.

His expression changed.

"There we go."

Ava looked at the wallet.

"Open it."

Mercer looked at her.

"You telling me what to do?"

"No."

Her voice remained steady.

"I'm telling you to finish what you started."

Mercer opened the wallet.

He expected perhaps another receipt.

Instead, a government seal caught the sunlight.

His smile disappeared.

He looked at the identification card.

Then at Ava.

Then back at the card.

The words were unmistakable.

AVA BENNETT

STATE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR

Mercer stared.

Reed leaned forward.

His eyebrows rose.

"She's an investigator?"

Ava held out her hand.

"Yes."

Mercer slowly returned the wallet.

"You should have said something."

Ava placed the identification back into the wallet.

"Why?"

Mercer looked confused.

"Because this changes things."

Ava looked at him.

"No."

She placed the wallet back inside her handbag.

"It changes things for you."

Mercer stared at her.

Reed looked down.

The meaning was obvious.

If Ava had not been a government investigator, would Mercer have continued the search?

If the identification card had never appeared, would his conduct have been acceptable?

The answer was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

Mercer tried to defend himself.

"I was conducting an investigation."

"Then explain the investigation."

"We had a report."

"What report?"

"A possible theft."

"From whom?"

"The store."

"Did they identify me?"

Mercer paused.

"No."

"Did they describe me?"

"No."

"Did anyone tell you I had stolen something?"

"No."

"Did anyone see me steal anything?"

"No."

"Then why did you choose me?"

Mercer opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

The silence became heavier.

A woman standing near the entrance whispered:

"Exactly."

Mercer looked toward the crowd.

"Everyone needs to calm down."

Ava shook her head.

"I am calm."

She looked at the bag.

"You searched my belongings without my permission."

"I believed I had reasonable concern."

"Based on what?"

Mercer did not answer.

Lucas Reed finally stepped forward.

"Daniel."

Mercer looked at him.

"What?"

"We need to slow this down."

"I've got it."

"No."

Reed's voice was quiet but firm.

"You don't."

Mercer stared at him.

Reed continued.

"We don't have a confirmed theft."

Mercer looked irritated.

"We have a report."

"An unclear report."

"We're investigating."

"Then investigate."

The words hung between them.

Ava watched both officers.

The younger officer had finally decided that being loyal to a colleague could not mean ignoring a problem.

At that moment, the store manager approached.

Karen Mitchell was in her late forties and had managed Oakridge Market for nearly seven years.

She looked at the crowd.

Then the officers.

Then Ava.

"What happened?"

Reed answered.

"There was a possible shoplifting concern."

Karen looked confused.