Jalen pointed.
“My brother put a sticker under the front edge with my name and his phone number.”
That should have simplified things.
Holloway instead said, “Then hand it over so I can check.”
Jalen tightened his grip.
“You can look without taking it.”
Holloway’s jaw shifted.
A white teenager standing ten feet away started recording with his phone.
Jalen noticed.
Holloway noticed too.
“Don’t turn this into something.”
Jalen stared.
“I’m standing here.”
“You’re refusing to cooperate with an investigation.”
“What investigation?”
“A stolen skateboard.”
“Mine isn’t stolen.”
“We don’t know that yet.”
“I do.”
Holloway took another step.
Jalen stepped backward.
The movement looked defensive to Jalen.
Holloway interpreted it as resistance.
“Stop moving.”
Jalen stopped.
“Put the board down.”
He did.
The skateboard landed wheels-up beside his shoe.
Holloway looked toward Jalen’s pockets.
“You have ID?”
“I’m fifteen.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“My school ID is in my bag.”
“Where’s the bag?”
Jalen pointed toward a bench almost thirty yards away.
Holloway followed the gesture.
Isaiah’s backpack was there too.
Renee was currently near the restrooms.
“Go get it.”
Jalen looked at Holloway.
“Am I detained?”
The question surprised him.
Holloway’s expression hardened.
“Who taught you to ask that?”
“My brother.”
“Your brother a lawyer?”
Jalen almost smiled.
“No.”
“What’s funny?”
“Nothing.”
Holloway moved closer.
“You kids think watching videos online makes you experts on police.”
Jalen’s face changed.
“What kids?”
Holloway paused.
“Young guys.”
“That’s not what you said.”
“I said kids.”
Jalen looked at the crowd.
Holloway became aware of how many phones were pointed toward them.
His voice dropped.
“Get your ID.”
Jalen remained still.
“Am I detained or not?”
Holloway reached toward his shoulder.
Jalen stepped back again.