Jenkins caught the teenager by the elbow, instinctively using a much lighter touch than his senior partner. Walk with me, man. Jenkins said quietly. Devon walked in silence. Jenkins guided him to the back of the second cruiser, pressing his hand gently against the top of Devon's head to guide him into the cramped, hard plastic back seat.
The doors slammed shut, enclosing Devon in a stifling soundproof bubble that smelled of industrial cleaner and stale sweat. A thick Plexiglas partition separated him from the front seats. Outside, Devon watched through the wire mesh as Ford began tearing his father's car apart. The veteran officer was ruthless. He ripped the pristine floor mats out, tossing them onto the dusty shoulder.
He dug his hands violently between the custom leather seats, pulled the glove box entirely off its hinges, and rummaged through the center console, dumping Devon's charging cables, mints, and a few loose coins onto the passenger seat. Ford then moved to the front trunk, popping the hood and tearing through Devon's gym bag, scattering his tennis racket, white sneakers, and heavily highlighted pre-law textbooks onto the pavement. Jenkins stood by the cruiser, watching Ford's destructive search with growing unease. Ford was finding absolutely nothing. No drugs, no paraphernalia, no weapons, no large stacks of cash.
Just the mundane belongings of a wealthy college student. After 20 minutes of furious searching in the blazing heat, Ford slammed the McLaren's hood shut in sheer frustration. He wiped a layer of sweat from his forehead, his face red with anger. He stomped over to Jenkins's cruiser and yanked the back door open. "Where is it?"
Ford demanded, leaning into the cab, his face inches from Devon's. "Where is the stash, you little punk? Did you toss it before I pulled you over?" "As I stated before, officer, there is nothing illegal in that vehicle." Devon said, his voice eerily calm.
The cuffs were biting deep into his wrists, sending trails of numbness down to his fingers, but he refused to show pain. "You have illegally detained me, unlawfully searched my property without probable cause, and caused damage to the interior of the vehicle." Ford let out a harsh, barking laugh, though it lacked its previous confidence. "Listen to Perry Mason here. I have probable cause.
I smelled it. And since you're being a smart mouth, I'm calling a tow truck. I'm impounding the car under civil asset forfeiture suspicion, and you're coming downtown with me. Jenkins stepped forward, his anxiety now visible. Mitch, Haymitch, hold on a second.
We didn't find anything. Maybe we just write him the ticket for the rolling stop and let him go. Shut up, Toby. Ford snapped, glaring at the younger officer. I'm not letting this thug drive away and laugh at us.
He goes in the system. Devon looked directly at Ford, his dark eyes unblinking. Officer Ford, Devon said, reading the man's name tag. I am legally entitled to a phone call. I want to call my father.