Mercer said, "I have explained. " She replied. A young woman at the entrance called out. She was just walking in. I saw her park. Ellis pointed at her.
Stay out of police business. The young woman went quiet, but she didn't put away her phone. That was the first thing the officers missed. The second was a pickup center employee named Matio Cruz, who had seen the same two officers in that lot twice before. Each time they had arrived shortly before an expensive car was removed.
When Matteo saw Mercer cross toward the loading area, he stepped into the back office and called his manager. By then, Ellis had pushed Naomi beside the police SUV. "I'm a federal judge," she told him. "My credentials are in my handbag. Please verify them. " Ellis barked a laugh.
"Of course you are. " He left her handbag on the hood without opening it. Mercer returned, driving a yellow forklift from the cent's loading bay. Its steel platform slid beneath the Lamborghini at a crooked angle. Matio's manager rushed outside, shouting that nobody had authorized them to use it. Mercer raised the car anyway.
One edge of the platform pressed against the underside with a sharp metallic crack. Naomi turned at the sound. "Stop," she said. "You're damaging it. " Ellis leaned near her ear. "Should have thought of that before making this difficult. " The car rose higher.
Its front wheel hung over empty pavement. Sunlight flashed across the red hood. People were filming from every side now. Ellis appeared to realize that and lifted his voice. Mom, this is what happens when you interfere with an active investigation.
Nami looked straight at the nearest phone. My name is Naomi Bennett. I gave these officers my identification. I have not resisted them. Ellis steered her toward the SUV.
Enough. But a man in a gray suit had just stepped out of a sedan at the far end of the lot. He paused when he saw Naomi, then hurried toward her. Judge Bennett, he called. Ellis blocked him.
Stand back. The man stopped and held up his identification. Deputy US Marshal Aaron Price. I was coming to meet her. Mercer's smile vanished.
Price had been assigned to bring a witness to the federal courthouse that afternoon. Naomi was due to hear a scheduling matter in a case involving a regional vehicle impound contractor. Price had expected to find her at the courthouse, not in handcuffs outside a pickup center. He showed Ellis's credentials and asked what had happened. Ellis said Naomi was suspected of driving a stolen vehicle and had become combative.