He didn't like the big words, and he especially didn't like the utter lack of fear in her eyes. People were supposed to be nervous when he pulled them over. They were supposed to stutter and apologize. "I ask the questions here." Coulter growled.
"Step out of the vehicle." The rain was falling harder now, drumming a steady, chaotic rhythm against the roof of the SUV. Elena did not move. Her hands remained on the steering wheel. "Officer."
Elena said calmly, ensuring her voice would be picked up by the dashcam she knew was rolling in his cruiser. "I am not stepping out of the vehicle in the pouring rain. I've committed no traffic violation, and you have not articulated a reasonable, articulable suspicion that I have committed a crime. If you are going to write me a citation, please do so. Otherwise, am I free to go?"
Coulter's face flushed a deep, mottled red. The audacity of this woman quoting law to him was a direct strike to his ego. He stepped back and placed his hand firmly on the handle of his weapon. "This is a lawful order." Coulter barked, his voice rising over the sound of the rain.
"I'm investigating a potentially stolen vehicle with forged registration documents. Step out of the car right now, or I will remove you from it." Elena stared at him for seconds. She knew she was right, but she also knew the statistics. She knew the reality of a dark road, an angry officer, and a badge that provided him with a dangerous shield of qualified immunity.
Fighting him on the side of the road would only escalate his aggression. The courtroom was her arena, not the wet asphalt. "I am complying." Elena said clearly. "I am un buckling my seat belt.
I am opening the door." She pushed the heavy door open and stepped out into the chill of the night rain. She was wearing a tailored, charcoal gray designer suit, which immediately began to soak through. Before she could even close the door, Coulter grabbed her roughly by the left shoulder, spinning her around and shoving her chest against the wet side of her new car. The force of the impact knocked the breath out of her.
"What are you doing?" Elena gasped, genuine shock piercing through her calm facade. "Detaining a suspect." Coulter sneered. He yanked her arms behind her back with excessive force.
Elena felt the cold, unforgiving bite of metal handcuffs clamping tightly around her wrists. The teeth of the cuffs ratcheted down, pinching her skin. "You are making a monumental mistake." Elena said, her voice trembling slightly, not from fear, but from an overwhelming surge of adrenaline and fury. "I strongly advise you to call your patrol supervisor to this scene immediately."