The air snapped tight.
Between one heartbeat and the next, weapons appeared in the agents’ hands, even as Agent Sterling wrapped an arm around me and lifted me off my feet.
Not gentle or rough for that matter, but efficient. He was already hurrying me to the vehicle.
My breath punched out of me as my shoes left the concrete. Instinct flared hot and fast, but I didn’t scream. I didn’t thrash. I had no idea what justification they were using for these acts.
“Hold up,” Flint said calmly, slowing his rush forward, hands raised. “I need to talk to Mallory.”
Sterling didn’t stop moving.
“Ma’am, we need you in the vehicle,” he said, voice tight, rehearsed. “Now.”
“No,” I said, flat and loud enough to carry.
Sterling tightened his grip reflexively.
I planted my palm against his shoulder and twisted just enough to hopefully throw his balance off to make him stop.
“Put me down,” I ordered. “Unless you’re arresting me.”
One of the other agents swore under their breath. His gun tracked Flint, not me. “Mr. Carter, stay right where you are please. I won’t warn you again.”
Fear ping-ponged through me at that very clear threat. Thankfully, Flint halted.
“Ms. McBryan?—”
“Am I under arrest?” I demanded.
Silence.
That was answer enough.
Flint stayed fixed in place, hands raised, but he wasn’t looking at the agents. Instead, he focused on me even as he began to speak.
“Agent Sterling,” he said, tone clipped, professional. He knew the name. That mattered. “If you’re taking her into custody, you say so. If you’re not, you don’t get to move her like a package.”
Sterling’s jaw flexed. “We have orders.”
“Orders don’toverridethe Constitution,” Flint replied. “There’s a little thing called the fourth amendment, remember that?”
Sterling stiffened.
Despite the fact his hands were still raised, Flint’s expression was anything but conciliatory. “If the constitution doesn’t impress you, keep in mind, very little overrides optics. Not here. Not with cameras on every pillar.”
Every single agent, including Sterling, seemed to hesitate. “Ms. McBryan was cooperating—” he began.
“Key word there, I was. Put me down,” I said again. “Now.” I didn’t bother with the please. For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t.
But young Agent Sterling, who still wore the shine of his service being a calling and not just a job didn’t hesitate for long, he put me down.
My feet hit the ground hard. I steadied myself without help, heart hammering but posture intact. I turned immediately—putting my back to the SUV, my front to Flint.
The agents adjusted their stances. Guns still up. Still pointed. No one wanted to be the first to cross the line that couldn’t be uncrossed.
Sterling exhaled sharply. “Ms. McBryan, we are trying to protect you.”
I swept a look toward the garage, then glanced at Flint, before returning my gaze to Sterling. “From what? We’re on a secure level. Building security has their eyes on us.” That wasn’t a guess. The executive level of the parking garage had cameraseverywhere. Reardon was paranoid.
