"Then let the record speak because every camera in this parking lot is capturing exactly what you are doing."
Officer Travis Rourke ignored the registration, twisted Marissa Cole's arm behind her back, and locked handcuffs around her wrists while his partner watched. Neither officer knew the woman they had accused of stealing her own Ferrari was a federal judge who understood exactly how to expose every lie they told next. The red Ferrari SF90 gleamed under the afternoon sun like a polished ruby. Judge Marissa Cole reached for the driver's door handle, her mind still focused on the successful morning she'd spent selecting a gift for her niece's graduation.
The luxury shopping center buzzed with Saturday activity around her. A heavy hand slammed against her shoulder. Where'd you steal it? Marissa froze. The grip twisted into the fabric of her denim jacket, yanking her backward from the open door.
She turned to face a white police officer whose face burned with certainty and rage. Excuse me? Marissa kept her voice level despite the shock. Officer Travis Rourke towered over her, his chest puffed with authority. His name tag caught the light as he leaned closer.
You heard me? Where'd you steal this car? This Ferrari belongs to me. Marissa raised both hands slowly, palms open and visible. Please remove your hand from my jacket.
Roark's grip tightened instead. Sure it does. And I'm the Easter Bunny. My identification is right there. Marissa nodded toward the open driver's door.
My license, registration, insurance card, and key fob are all inside. You can verify ownership in less than 2 minutes. Anyone can fake papers these days. Roark's eyes narrowed as he studied her face. Especially for a ride this expensive.
You think I was born yesterday? The Ferrari's interior showed her leather purse sitting on the passenger seat. Her wallet lay open, displaying her federal judicial identification card beside her driver's license. The key fob rested in the center console, its red Ferrari logo clearly visible. Insurance and registration cards peeked from the visor pocket.
Officer, those documents are genuine. Marissa kept her hands raised. The VIN number on the dashboard matches my registration. The license plate is registered to my name. I purchased this vehicle from Ferrari of Denver 6 months ago.
Criminals say that kind of stuff all the time. Roark positioned himself between Marissa and the car door. Rich ladies probably reported this baby missing by now. A second patrol car pulled into the parking lot. Officer Dean Mercer stepped out, his expression cautious as he approached.