The man’s dark eyes met Marlon’s, and there was wariness and a bit of a challenge in them.
Marlon started to offer a handshake, then thought better of it. “Looks like your boy is okay. I was just trying to help.”
The woman said something else.
For a second, the man didn’t respond, still studying Marlon, and then he gave a slight nod. “Thank… you.” His accent was thick, and the words sounded like they’d taken great effort.
Marlon smiled and was about to respond, when he heard the car door open and the voice that had begun to fill his nightmares.
“Hey! Back up!”
All three of them—man, woman, and child—flinched and turned toward Andrew.
Marlon instinctively took a step around them, putting himself between the family and Andrew, who was rushing toward them, excitement on his face.
“I told you to wait in the car.”
Andrew’s smile was back, and though he addressed Marlon, he didn’t take his gaze off the man. “And not protect my partner? What kind of cop do you think I am?”
“I’m not in any need of protection.”
Andrew gestured toward the man. “I look in the mirror and see this guy getting aggressive—”
“He wasn’t getting aggressive, as you know.” Marlon took another step, cementing his place in front of Andrew. Andrew stepped around him.
The man said something, whether to them or his wife, Marlon wasn’t sure. Whatever the words, the tone was rushed and worried. Marlon’s heart sank, knowing exactly how Andrew would respond to the man not speaking English.
“Was that a threat?” Andrew stiffened and moved his hand to his gun holster at his waist.
The man said something else, his volume increasing. The woman spoke, clear pleading in her tone.
Marlon didn’t look at them; he moved in front of Andrew and placed a hand on his partner’s chest. He kept his voice low in warning. “Knock it off.”
With his free arm, Andrew knocked Marlon’s hand out of the way. He moved around Marlon once more, addressing the couple. “I need to see both of your IDs. Now.”
At the sound of the man’s response, Marlon turned so his back was no longer toward the couple. There was aggression there now, to be sure. Fear too, but Marlon wouldn’t be surprised if the man launched himself at Andrew or him.
Andrew began to pull his gun, and the woman let out a sharp cry.
Marlon quit trying to whisper. “Andrew, you’re wearing the new body camera, remember?”
Andrew hesitated, then solidified his stance. “You know, I think mine’s broken.”
“Mine isn’t.” Marlon held out a hand toward the couple in a beseeching manner, praying the man would hold on a moment longer before trying to protect his family. “And think about that image on the news tonight. White cop pulls gun on an unarmed black family. Not sure even your uncle could twist that around to your favor.”
The gun was barely out of Andrew’s holster, and he paused for half a second that seemed like a year to Marlon. Then he slid it back in.
Marlon expected him to say something more to the family, another demand for ID or something even more ridiculous. Instead he spared a brief, disgusted glare at Marlon, turned, and stomped off toward their patrol car.
Though hesitant to take his gaze off Andrew, Marlon refocused on the family. The woman had tears rolling down her cheeks, the boy looked terrified, and the father seemed like he might still attack at any moment. Marlon held up both hands, met the father’s gaze, and nodded, then addressed the woman. “I’m so sorry. So very sorry.” Keeping one hand out in front of him, he reached down for the first aid kit, then backed away several feet before walking to the cop car.
He didn’t bother returning the kit to the trunk or even buckling his seat belt. He tossed the kit in the backseat, got in, and just put the car in drive. With barely more than a glance to make sure there wasn’t a car coming, he hit the gas. He wouldn’t put it past Andrew to dart out of the car and start the damned thing all over again.
They were several miles away before Andrew spoke. “You know they were illegals.”
Marlon gripped the steering wheel tighter, his anger causing his arms to shake and the car to swerve slightly. He let out a long breath. “We don’t know any such thing. And even if we suspected that, you’ve no legal cause to ask for ID.”
“You’re such a pussy cop.” Andrew pulled the lever on the side of the seat and leaned back, making a show of lounging. “I need to request a better partner.”
