"Are you questioning me?"
"No, but—"
"But nothing."
He pointed toward the woman.
"She's detained."
The woman looked at the younger deputy.
"You should probably remember exactly when you realized there might be a problem."
He swallowed.
"Why?"
"Because someone will ask."
The senior deputy stepped between them.
"Enough."
Seven minutes later, another cruiser arrived.
A female lieutenant stepped out.
She surveyed the checkpoint.
Then her eyes landed on the handcuffed motorcyclist.
"What happened?"
The senior deputy answered quickly.
"Possible stolen vehicle. Subject refused instructions and became obstructive."
The lieutenant looked at the Ducati.
"VIN?"
"Clean."
"Registration?"
"Matches her."
"Insurance?"
"Valid."
The lieutenant stared at him.
"What exactly makes it possibly stolen?"
The senior deputy hesitated.
"She was evasive."
The woman spoke calmly.
"I asked why they wanted to search my motorcycle."
The lieutenant looked at her.
Then at the handcuffs.
"You threatened them?"
"No."
"Resisted?"
"No."
The younger deputy quietly added:
"No."
The senior deputy shot him a warning look.
The lieutenant noticed.
"What is going on?"
The woman answered.
"I told the sergeant that I'm a federal judge scheduled to hear a matter involving this department at eleven."
The lieutenant froze.
"What matter?"
The woman gave her the case number.
The lieutenant recognized it immediately.
Everyone in the county legal system knew that case.
The sheriff's department was facing serious allegations involving unconstitutional roadside searches and detentions.
The lieutenant slowly looked back at the woman.
"What is your full name?"
The woman gave it.
The lieutenant pulled out her phone.
The senior deputy spoke quickly.
"Lieutenant, she's bluffing."
The lieutenant didn't respond.
Ten seconds passed.
Then twenty.
Her eyes widened.
She looked up.
Nobody needed an explanation.
The younger deputy took a step backward.
The senior deputy whispered:
"What?"
The lieutenant turned the screen toward him.