Moving my hand into the glove box now. He handed the requested documents through the window. Carter snatched them, shining his light on the license, then back at Warren's face, then sweeping the beam across the luxurious leather interior of the Mercedes. Warren Hayes. Carter read, dragging out the syllables.
This your car, Warren? It is. Warren replied, his tone even. An S-Class Mercedes retails for what, a hundred and twenty grand? Carter's tone shifted from authoritative to openly suspicious.
What line of work are you in that pays for a ride like this? I work for the federal government, Warren said cleanly. He didn't feel the need to boast about his rank. In his experience, civilian police officers rarely understood the hierarchy of the military anyway, and he had no desire to escalate the situation by demanding respect. Federal government?
Carter repeated, a mocking edge to his voice. Right. And where are you coming from tonight, Warren? A family event in Richmond. I'm heading home to Alexandria.
Carter leaned closer to the window, sniffing the air aggressively. You know why I pulled you over. I do not, Officer. I was maintaining the speed limit and my vehicle is in full working order. You swerved back there.
Carter lied. It was a classic un-verifiable pretext for a stop. Crossed the double yellow line. You've been drinking tonight, smoking something you shouldn't be. I have not had a drop of alcohol, nor do I use narcotics.
Warren replied, his posture rigid. He was beginning to recognize the script Carter was reading from. It was a dangerous, familiar game. I smell marijuana. Carter declared, stepping back slightly and dropping his hand back to his gun belt.
Step out of the vehicle. Warren's jaw tightened. The scent of marijuana was the universal skeleton key for bypassing the Fourth Amendment. There was no marijuana in the car. There had never been marijuana in the car.
Officer Carter, Warren said, reading the man's name tag for the first time. I respectfully disagree with your assessment. There are no illegal substances in this vehicle. I do not consent to a search. I didn't ask for your consent.
Carter shouted, his temper flaring. He unclipped his radio. Dispatch unit four. I need a secondary unit at mile marker 42. Suspect is being uncooperative.