“Emily,” my mother called loudly enough for the whole block to hear, “please don’t make this harder than it already is.”
The cameraman immediately swung the lens toward me.
Sheriff Daniels stepped from his cruiser with both hands raised. “Ma’am, I need you to stay calm.”
“I am calm,” I answered, though my voice cracked. “I’m Sergeant Emily Parker. I just returned from deployment.”
A ripple moved through the crowd.
Mrs. Ellis, my fifth-grade teacher, pressed her hand over her mouth. Pastor Ray stepped off the curb looking ghost pale. Christianity
My mother pointed directly at me. “That uniform is part of the performance. She’s always known how to manipulate people.”
I reached into my pocket for my military ID. “Sheriff, please.”
Before I could hand it over, Dad shouted, “Don’t touch anything she gives you!”
The street fell silent.
