Victoria stood up straight against the sedan, her posture erect despite her hands being locked behind her back.
“Unlock these handcuffs, Deputy,” Victoria said softly.
Vance fumbled at his belt, his thick fingers suddenly clumsy and trembling violently. He pulled out the small brass handcuff key, but his hands were shaking so hard that he dropped it straight into the gray dust near his boots.
“Get it!” Vance snapped frantically at Miller. “Get the key!”
Miller dropped to his knees in the dirt, frantically raking his fingers through the dry gravel until he retrieved the key. He scrambled to his feet, stepping behind Victoria with obvious panic. His hands shook against her wrists as he inserted the key into the keyholes, turning them rapidly.
Click. Click.
The steel cuffs sprang open. Victoria brought her arms forward, calmly rubbing the faint red impressions on her wrists. She did not stretch dramatically or make any sudden movements. She simply turned around to face the two men, her expression cool, professional, and detached.
