By now, the commotion was attracting attention. A young couple stopped their morning walk, phones raised. Two houses down, Mr. Carter stepped onto his porch, arms crossed. A sixteen-year-old Black kid named Marcus rolled up on his bicycle, aiming his phone directly at Whitmore.
"I'm recording this, Officer, for the record," Marcus said clearly.
"Put that phone away!" Whitmore shouted. "Get lost before I arrest you, too!"
Marcus didn't flinch. His livestream view count began climbing: 47... 112... 340 viewers.
Whitmore keyed his radio. "7-Adam-12 to dispatch. Requesting backup at 2847 Maple Ridge Drive. Uncooperative subject. Possible trespassing."
"Last chance, lady," Whitmore growled at Simone. "Show me ID or I'm taking you in for failure to identify and resisting."
"I haven't resisted anything. Your requests are unlawful."
"There you go again, playing lawyer," Whitmore sneered, looking her up and down. "What are you, some paralegal secretary? Or do you clean the courthouse bathrooms?"
"Officer, you are making a serious mistake."
"The only mistake here is you thinking you can live in a place like this," he gestured at the half-million-dollar house. "Who's paying for this house, huh? Your drug dealer boyfriend?"
"I own this home," Simone said, her voice taut.
"Sure you do. Maybe I should call Immigration. Check if you're even legal." He gestured aggressively. "Put that garden hose down!"
Simone set the hose gently on the grass. "I am going to reach into my back pocket now, slowly, to get my identification."
"Keep your hands where I can see them!" Whitmore warned, resting his hand on his firearm.
Simone shifted carefully, but as she moved, her foot caught the coil of the hose. She stumbled slightly. The hose jerked, sending a tiny splash of water—barely a tablespoon—onto Whitmore's pants leg.
Whitmore looked down at the wet spot. His face transformed into pure, unchecked rage. "Did you just assault me?"
Forty Seconds
"What? No, I tripped—"
"You just assaulted a police officer!" Whitmore roared.
"It was an accident!"
"You sprayed me deliberately!" He lunged forward and grabbed the garden hose from the ground.
Mills ran from the patrol car. "Derek, stop!"