Free Traffic Stop by Tara Wentz

proceed, but her head wouldn’t follow. She knew that Tobi was nothing like Stacey, but she couldn’t seem to keep that out of the back of her mind. Tobi seemingly understood because each time Ryan backed off, she never pushed for more. That wouldn’t stop the burning ache that kissing Tobi caused, though, and Ryan knew it was time for a shower—and a cold one at that.

Chapter Six

    yan usually looked forward to Mondays, but today she didn’t. She hadn’t wanted the weekend to end. The R time she spent with Tobi only made her want to spend more time with her.
How is it that after such a short time, she can
be so deeply ingrained in my system that I can’t imagine her not
being there?
It took everything she had not to call Tobi last night after they parted. She knew Tobi needed her sleep, as did Ryan.
    Only one more hour until break, then she would give her a call.
    Startled from her meandering thoughts by the abrupt halt of the police cruiser, Ryan looked over at Jake to see what the problem was before glancing out the front windshield. She barely caught the taillights of the car that had pulled out in front of them as it zipped over into the next lane and in front of another car.
    Jake flipped the switch to initiate the lights and sirens. Ryan watched as he maneuvered them in behind the car. After a brief distance, the car pulled over to the side of the road. When Jake got out to approach the driver, Ryan picked up the radio to call in the license plate.
    “Charlie Nine to Dispatch.”
    “Dispatch, go ahead, Charlie Nine.”

    Ryan gave the information and waited for a response. As Jake climbed back into the cruiser, he was grinning and shaking his head.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Her,” he said, pointing to the car in front of them. “Do you believe she had the nerve to hold up her hand for me to wait because she was on her cell phone?”
    Ryan shook her head in disgust, but before she could respond the radio crackled in response.
    “Dispatch to Charlie Nine.”
    “Charlie Nine, go ahead.”
    “I’m showing a bench warrant on your party, Carsten, Tiffany A., date of birth five, ten of seventy-three, showing physical as white female, five-foot-two, red hair, brown eyes—break—”
    “Go ahead.”
    “Outstanding tickets with multiple fines.”
    “Charlie Nine, copy.”
    Ryan followed Jake out of the cruiser to take the driver into custody.
    “Ma’am, I need you to step out of the car,” Jake said.
    “Why?” the woman asked, defiantly.
    “Just step out of the car and I’ll explain everything.”
    The woman tossed her purse into the passenger seat and mumbled under her breath as she opened the car door.
    “Now what is it that you want?” the woman asked, placing her hands on her hips. “I haven’t got all day to play your games.”
    “Ma’am, I need you to turn around and place your hands on the hood of your car,” Jake responded.
    “Excuse me? I don’t know who the fuck you think you’re dealing with, but I don’t have time for this.”
    Jake reached out and grasped the woman’s arm as she attempted to get back into her car.
    “Ma’am…” Jake started.
    “Get your God damned hands off me, you filthy pig,” the woman screamed as she turned and slapped at Jake’s hands.
    At this point, Ryan stepped in behind the woman in case Jake needed assistance.

    “I’m going to ask you one more time, ma’am; shut up, turn around, and put your hands on the car.”
    The woman became irate and started swinging her arms.
    “Why you lousy mother—”
    Ryan didn’t hear the rest of what was said for when the woman started her assault a flailing arm caught Ryan in the mouth, splitting her lip wide open.
    “Son of a bitch,” Ryan gasped, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
    Ryan and Jake reacted immediately by grabbing the woman’s arms to restrain her and take her to the ground. Ryan kept a knee in the woman’s back while Jake applied the cuffs. They lifted her to her feet and