“Stay in your vehicle,” the dispatcher warned. “Officers are arriving in thirty seconds. Do not approach.” Through the windshield, Andrew watched as the man finally stepped out of the SUV. He circled to the passenger side, opened the back door, and gestured impatiently.
The girls got out slowly. The red-hoodie girl clutched the strap of her bag. The tote girl looked down at the ground. Neither said a word. The man muttered something. Loud enough to be angry. Not loud enough to hear.
Then, suddenly—flashing lights cut through the dark. Two police cruisers came from opposite directions, blocking the exit. The motel’s neon flickered in the reflection of their hoods. “Officers are on scene,” the dispatcher said. “You can hang up now, Andrew. Thank you.”
Andrew dropped the phone into the passenger seat and jumped out of his car, unable to stay still. Across the street, the man raised both hands slowly, saying something—too smooth, too defensive.