The same decision he had made when he pulled into the parking lot. He pulled out his handcuffs from his belt. He grabbed Zara's arm and turned her around. The metal handcuffs clicked shut around her wrists. They were tight.
They were cold. They hurt. Officer Patterson began reading Zara her rights as he held her arm firmly. He said she had the right to remain silent. He said anything she said could be used against her in a court of law.
He said she had the right to an attorney. Zara was in handcuffs in front of students and teachers. She was in handcuffs in front of the girl who had framed her. Emily was watching from the side with an expression that showed she believed she had won. Emily believed her plan had worked perfectly.
Officer Patterson began walking Zara toward the exit of the school. Zara was trying to explain again. She was saying that Emily had planted the items. She was saying she was being framed. She was saying this wasn't right.
But Officer Patterson was not listening. He was walking her toward the door. He was walking her out of the school in handcuffs. Other students were watching. Other teachers were watching.
The girl who had been accused of stealing by her own classmate was being arrested by a police officer right there in front of everyone. They reached the front entrance of the school. Officer Patterson had his hand on Zara's back. They were about to step outside into the parking lot when a car pulled up quickly in front of the school building. A woman in judicial robes stepped out of the car.
It was Judge Katherine Mitchell. She was Zara's mother. She had received Zara's text message and she had come immediately. Judge Mitchell looked at her daughter in handcuffs. Her face remained calm, but her eyes became sharp and focused.
She walked directly toward Officer Patterson. Judge Mitchell stopped Officer Patterson before he could take another step. She said she needed to know what investigation he had conducted before making this arrest. She said she needed to understand what evidence he had that her daughter actually committed a crime. Officer Patterson tried to brush her off.
He said the items were found in Zara's possession and that was sufficient. He said they could sort this out at the station. Judge Mitchell stood her ground. She said finding items in someone's possession does not prove theft. She said it proves only that the items are in that person's bag.
She said before any arrest was finalized, they needed to review the school's security footage from lunch period. She said that footage would show the truth about what actually happened. Officer Patterson tried to refuse. He said they didn't have time for that. He said they needed to get to the station.