Biased Cop Forced Innocent Woman to Undress at the Store, She Made Him Regret It – Story of the Day

"What little secret are you hiding under your shirt? Take it off, let me see!" a racist police officer forces a woman of color to undress herself when she's framed for theft at a store. Little did he guess the ill-fated consequences of his inappropriate behavior would cost him his career.

Linda's phone buzzed in her handbag as she strolled down the street, her children's laughter echoing through the speaker. "Mommy, I want a pink dress with Barbie prints!" her little daughter said. The chirpy sound of her son's voice followed, "Mommy, I want a Captain America tee!"

Linda grinned, juggling her phone and handbag. "Alright, alright, my little dumplings, Mommy's on it! Pink dress and superhero tee…got it! Are you kids behaving yourselves? I hope you are not troubling Nanny Rosie!"

Linda hung up and approached a high-end boutique, mentally envisioning the delight on her children's faces when they would get to see their new clothes. The boutique's posh ambiance enveloped Linda as she pulled her handbag closer and walked in. But the mother's excitement was short-lived.

The store guard stopped her, his expression colder than the air-conditioned atmosphere. "Yes, Ma'am, can I help you?" he asked, his piercing glare lingering on Linda. She had no clue why he had abruptly singled her out, ignoring the other shoppers who had just walked into the store...

"Hello, why is something wrong? I'm here to shop," Linda was caught off guard, though she smiled politely and replied.

The staff continued to stare daggers at Linda while flaunting his best smile at all the other customers flocking to the store. "Ma'am, you're not allowed inside unless you give your bag to me," he said as Linda stood stunned in disbelief.

"Sorry, what?" she arched her brows. "Why should I give my bag? You didn't ask the customers who just entered. Why me specifically?"

"I said give me your bag. I can't allow you inside with the bag," the guard replied. "I'm just following protocol, Ma'am. Please hand it over. Or turn around and leave!"

Linda briefly gazed at the guy's name badge and craned her neck. "Mr. Martin, I can see many shoppers inside with bags. I don't see you have any problem with that," Linda said, pausing as Martin smiled at a young white couple entering the boutique.

"Hold on...is it the color?" Linda asked him, being more specific. "Is it because I'm a woman of color? Is that why you're asking me to give you my bag?"

The guy's demeanor shifted as he gazed at Linda from top to toe. His gaze meant anything but kind, which left Linda frustrated and disappointed. "Sorry, I don't know how I can be any clearer. I can't let you inside the store unless you hand over your bag to me. If not, maybe try a different store?"

Linda furrowed her brow. She glanced around, taking in the luxurious displays. "I really don't have the time to look for another store because it's already late. I'm new in town and don't know much about the place, so I had to stop by here. Do you have a problem with that, sir?"

"The bag, please. You're wasting my time, Ma'am," the man coldly snapped at Linda.

She was pretty upset and stunned by the way she was being treated. "I get it...must be one of those strict and unfair store policies. Well, you're not the first one. Just be careful with the bag!" she handed her handbag to the guard, who rolled his eyes. Frowning, he reluctantly stepped aside and let Linda in.

She entered the store and looked around, but no assistants were in sight. The store workers were busy assisting the other shoppers, so Linda decided to look for the dresses herself. She turned around with a start moments later, only to stand face-to-face with Martin, the guard she encountered moments ago.

"Where is the kids' section?" she asked him, only to get a cold reaction that wasn't surprising.

"I don't know!" Martin shrugged.

"Weird! You work in this store and don't know where the kids' section is?" Linda arched her brows and busied herself with looking for her dress.

She felt uncomfortable with Martin standing beside her and watching as she combed through the racks. Frustrated, Linda turned to him and asked, "Alright, I get it. Are you watching over me? Is it also one of your store's policies—to keep an eye on your shoppers individually?"

Martin scowled, refusing to answer.

Linda was frustrated but composed herself. "Alright! Which one do you think would be perfect—black or yellow?" She randomly picked two dresses and smiled, hoping Martin would get annoyed and leave her alone to shop peacefully.

Martin looked away from Linda and rolled his eyes in annoyance while everything was being caught on the store's CCTV camera.

"Cool. So I think the yellow one would look good on me!" Linda chirped and approached the fitting booth to try on the yellow dress.

She got inside and closed the curtain, only to freeze in shock when Martin suddenly drew the curtain open and startled her. "Excuse me? Is there a problem here? What's going on? You can't just open the curtain like that. I was going to try on the dress," Linda asked, her eyes bulging in disbelief and shock.

The guy grinned frustratingly. "Unfortunately, Ma'am, I can't leave you unattended…You'll have to try the dress on with the curtain open," he said, jolting Linda.

"I'm sorry, what? Is it also a part of your store policy—to watch shoppers change in the fitting booth? Because I haven't heard of such a weird rule before, and I don't think it's appropriate," Linda snapped at him.

"I was just about to take my clothes off, and you opened the curtain. Do you have any idea of what you just did?"

"Ma'am, you're not allowed to try the clothes without supervision," the guard argued. "I won't get in your way. You can turn to the other side and try the dress while I stand here...

"It's just to make sure you aren't slipping in two dresses at once, one under the other, and paying for just one!"

"That's ridiculous! I took only one dress, and you saw it with your own eyes," Linda lashed out at the staff.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. Rules are rules...we can't afford to break them."

"Okay, so you expect me to get undressed in front of you and all the shoppers here??" Linda fumed while maintaining her calm because she didn't want to make a scene in front of the other customers in the bustling boutique.

"Is this something you demand from all your shoppers? I don't think so, and I've noticed something strange from the moment I stepped inside this store—You're treating me differently, and I can already guess why you're doing it. I need to speak to your manager. Call your manager, please."

The staff frowned with a sheepish chuckle and immediately grabbed his walkie-talkie. "Uh, Miss Jones, could you come to the fitting room? We've got a small problem here that needs your attention."

Moments later, a young lady in a red polka dot dress and white blazer arrived. "What's the matter, Martin? Why did you call me?" she asked, staring at Martin before shifting her gaze to Linda. She frowned and partially understood the issue.

"Hi, are you the store manager?" Linda interrupted before Miss Jones could finish talking.

"Faria...better known as Miss Jones, the general manager! How may I help you?" Miss Jones said with a piercing and unpleasant stare.

"Oh, great! My name is Linda...you can call me Miss Davidson. I want to report the inappropriate behavior of your employee. Do you have a minute for that, Miss Jones?" Linda explained, hoping her concern would be taken seriously.

"What kind of inappropriate behavior?" Miss Jones questioned her.

"First, he refused to let me in unless I gave him my handbag without a valid reason...which I did because I was running late for something and I wanted to shop here. Then I picked a dress and wanted to try it on...

"But your staff followed me into the fitting room and insisted I try it on with the curtain open in front of him and everyone else here...which I think is absurd and inappropriate. I'm pretty sure you don't expect all your shoppers to do this, right? This man's clearly being racist."

"I'm sorry, what's your problem in complying with our rules?" Miss Jones squared her shoulders and asked, stunning Linda. "We've had quite some instances in the past where people like you shoplifted things from our store. So we made it a rule to keep a vigilant eye on shoppers...like you."

Linda felt her dignity and respect being preyed upon. The unkind eyes of the other shoppers lingered on her, and she started feeling uncomfortable with each fleeting second.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean by people LIKE ME? I just wanted to shop, and I've been to other stores where I wasn't treated so differently," Linda added.

"No woman's going to be comfortable undressing with the curtain open. None of the stores I visited earlier have done this. It's unfair. How could you impose this despite being a woman yourself?"

"Oh, let's not play the 'woman' card! I don't think you're uncomfortable with showing skin...but perhaps you are resisting for some other reason? Are you hiding something under your dress?" Miss Jones asked, staring unkindly at Linda from top to bottom. "Or is there something you're afraid to show our security guard?"

"Afraid? Of that guy? And for what? I have nothing to fear, but I'm not okay with undressing myself in front of total strangers and giving them a glimpse of my body," Linda retorted, almost on the brink of yelling at the two.

"You think someone's going to look at you inappropriately? Huh? Because I don't think anybody here, let alone my security guard, would be least interested in checking you out!" Miss Jones mocked Linda, who stood still and shaken.

Martin and Miss Jones shared a hearty chuckle as Linda looked around and saw some shoppers sharing a laugh while whispering things.

"Alright! Stop! I see where this is going," Linda chimed in, waving her hand in frustration. "I'd like to leave the store. Could you give me my bag? I made a mistake visiting this boutique."

But to her shock, the security guard refused to give her the bag.

"Leave the store? Hold it right there, Miss. I'm sorry, but I can't let you out without thoroughly checking you. Do you think you can leave the store so easily after stealing something?"

The atmosphere in the store grew heavy, and a hush fell over the other shoppers who had stopped in their tracks upon hearing Miss Jones's accusation. Linda felt the weight of their stares as they whispered among themselves while staring unkindly at her.

"Steal? Wait, stop—" Linda furrowed her brows.

Miss Jones, undeterred by the commotion, gestured to the security guard. "Close the store. Ask everyone to leave the premises immediately. We can't let her get away like this. I bet she's stolen something and is hiding it under her dress."

The security guard nodded and discreetly spoke into his mic: "Attention, shoppers. Due to an unforeseen emergency, we kindly request everyone to exit the store. We appreciate your cooperation. Apologies for the inconvenience...and we look forward to seeing you again."

As the customers shuffled out, whispering and casting curious glances at Linda, the store's ambiance shifted from a bustling shopping haven to an eerily quiet space.

Miss Jones turned her attention back to Linda, a stern expression on her face. "Now, Miss Davidson, we need to resolve this matter quickly. We don't have all the time in the world…so I suggest you cooperate if you want to leave without any further issues."

Shaken at the absurd turn of events, Linda stammered, "You can't be serious. I haven't stolen anything. I just wanted to buy clothes for my kids and myself. I'm not a thief…I'm not hiding anything under my dress."

Miss Jones maintained her steely gaze. "Unfortunately, our security protocol is stringent. We must ensure the safety and security of our store and customers. Now, kindly follow the security guard's instructions. Just walk into the fitting booth and undress yourself. I'll be right here, and you don't have to worry about anything...it's just the three of us here."

"Undress myself? That's ridiculous! I'm sorry, but I need to call someone immediately..." Linda pressed forward to grab her phone from her bag.

"Martin, take the bag away!" Miss Jones instructed as the guard backed off with Linda's bag. "And you—why don't you just cooperate and undress? What's the damn issue if you're telling the truth?"

"I told you I didn't steal anything. You have to trust me," Linda argued.

"Oh, really? You expect us to believe that? We don't know what you might be hiding under your clothes. We have to check you thoroughly. So step inside the booth."

Just as Linda tried to fathom the sinister turn of events unfolding around her, her phone let out a loud ring in her handbag. "I need to take that. I'm expecting an important call from someone...so can I please—"

"Hold it, lady. Let us examine you first, and then you can do whatever you want," Miss Jones got in Linda's way before she could make it to the bag Martin was holding.

Having had enough of her poor treatment and discrimination, Linda snapped at the two. "You have no right to ask me to undress myself out in the open. And I WON'T DO IT!

"Look, I've had enough of this. I demand to speak to the store owner. Everything's recorded in the CCTV cameras here. Let me out of here, or I swear you'll regret it big time."

"Oh, really? Do you want to involve the store owner? Be my guest! But we have our procedures to follow, and we're calling the cops first," Miss Jones scoffed.

Despite her fear and frustration, Linda couldn't let herself be bullied. "I'll comply with a reasonable request, not this violation of privacy. I won't undress in front of strangers. Please go ahead and call the police. I'll wait right here!" Linda gave a befitting reply, hoping justice would be served when the cops arrived.

"Well, that's exactly what I'm gonna do if you refuse to cooperate. Martin, keep an eye on her and check her pockets," Miss Jones stared daggers at Linda and stepped aside to call the cops.

The security guard stepped forward, holding Linda's bag out of reach. "Empty your pockets, Ma'am," he demanded.

Linda, realizing the situation was rapidly escalating, reluctantly emptied her pockets, displaying its contents—a chapstick, her credit card, and a hundred-dollar bill on a nearby counter. The guard inspected each item, finding nothing suspicious.

"Now, the shirt pockets," he instructed, giving Linda a piercing glare.

Linda complied, feeling violated and humiliated as the security guard scrutinized every item. The other shoppers outside the store watched the spectacle unfold through the glass doors.

"I assure you, this is unnecessary," Linda pleaded. "I didn't steal anything."

Miss Jones returned and crossed her arms, a cold smile playing on her lips. "You leave me no choice. You can explain everything to the police. They're on their way."

An uncomfortable stillness lingered around as Linda stood at the center, feeling the weight of the situation on her shoulders. About ten minutes later, a police car pulled up outside, and a cop swaggered in, chewing bubble gum.

"Hey, Marty! Faria! What's the matter, guys?" he casually waved at Martin and Miss Jones.

Linda's heart sank as she noticed the familiar camaraderie between the cop and the store employees. It was evident they were more than just acquaintances.

The cop strolled over, his gaze fixed on Linda, and he grinned while staring at her from top to bottom. "What's the matter? And who is she?"

"Officer Daniels, we have a suspicion of theft. This woman here...we suspect she's stolen something from the store," Miss Jones, with an air of authority, pointed directly at Linda. "She refused to cooperate with our security procedures, so I had to call you to handle the situation."

Officer Daniels blew a bubble with his gum. "Oh, theft, is it? What is her name?"

"Miss Davidson!"

"I didn't steal anything, Officer. She's mistaken—" Linda rushed to Officer Daniels, only to abruptly stop in her tracks when he glanced up at her and held up a hand, signaling to stay quiet.

"Shhh, quiet, I'm not talking to you, lady!"

Frustrated and anxious, Linda bit her lip, glaring at the trio. Officer Daniels turned his attention back to Miss Jones. "Alright, spill it. What exactly happened? Did you check her pockets...and bag?"

Miss Jones launched into her version of events, painting Linda as a potential thief who had resisted store protocol. Linda seethed with anger but kept her composure.

"We checked her pockets, but there's nothing suspicious in it. I think she's hiding something under her dress. But she refused to undress for inspection in the fitting room," Miss Jones concluded, her gaze never leaving Linda.

Officer Daniels raised an eyebrow and blew a bubble again. "Really? That's a new one. Okay, let's hear what she has to say."

Linda stepped forward, eager to defend herself, but Officer Daniels held up a hand again. "Hold on, Ma'am. I'll get to you in a minute."

He turned back to Miss Jones, "Any evidence, footage, or witnesses?"

"Forget about the CCTV footage! Martin and I are sole witnesses! I'm sure she's got something under her dress, Officer!" Miss Jones added.

"That's not true, Officer. I didn't steal anything," Linda pleaded.

Frustration and fear building within her, Linda knew the odds were stacked against her. The cop, seemingly in cahoots with the store management, had already made up his mind before hearing her side of the story.

"I didn't steal anything! This is outrageous! I demand to make a call! Can I please have my phone?" Linda leaned forward to grab her phone.

Officer Daniels, a scowl forming on his face, retorted. "Listen, lady, I'm dealing with you politely. You're testing my patience to the extreme. Just go in there and allow them to check you," he barked.

"No, I didn't steal anything, so I'm not doing it. This is a complete misunderstanding, and I won't stand for this."

Officer Daniels, seemingly unfazed by Linda's protestations, looked her up and down with a smug grin. His words and demeaning stare sent a chill down Linda's spine.

"What little secret are you hiding under your shirt? Remove it, let me see!" he scoffed. "Just go into the damn fitting room and undress yourself...I want to check myself. Not a word more."

Linda's frustration started boiling over. In what angle was this lawful? How can a cop ask me to undress myself in front of him? she pondered and downright denied his orders.

"Ridiculous. Are you out of your mind? I can't believe you're asking me to do that, Officer! And I don't see any lady cops with you. Aren't they the ones to supposedly check me? I'm not undressing myself. And by law, you can't force me to do it."

"You've got something to hide, don't you? I need to see for myself. Now get in there and take off your clothes," Officer Daniels added with a condescending tone that sent shivers down Linda's spine.

She felt humiliated and angry. This was not what she had come prepared for. "This is against my rights! You can't force me to undress myself!"

But Officer Daniels snapped back, fueled by frustration and a desire to assert his authority. "You talk too much, lady. You're in no position to dictate terms here. Get into that fitting room and remove your shirt, or I'll have to arrest you and take you down to the station…

"And mark my words. It will be one hell of a ride for you. I'm capable of anything, do you hear me? I can frame you for the nasty things you never did and ensure you're put behind bars and never find your way out!"

Realizing the threat's severity, Linda glared at Officer Daniels, "Arrest me? For what? I haven't done anything wrong! You can't treat people like this! Do you have a warrant?"

"You've been accused of theft. What more do you need? You can either cooperate or face the consequences. The choice is yours!" Officer Daniels smirked as he pressed forward, intimidating Linda.

As the tense standoff continued, Linda felt the weight of injustice pressing down on her. Once a haven for shoppers, the store had transformed into a battleground of rights and authority, with Officer Daniels holding all the cards. Linda, however, refused to succumb to the unjust demands, determined to fight for her dignity and rights.

"You're wasting my time, lady. Are you walking in there, or shall I ask Martin to drag you inside?" Officer Daniels declared, his cold tone jolting Linda like a thunderbolt.

Disappointment and disbelief simmered in her eyes as she continued to stand her ground. "I want to file a complaint at the station, Officer. This is outrageous," she declared with a steely determination in her voice.

Officer Daniels, taken aback by Linda's audacity, frowned. "You think filing a complaint will help? The drive to the police station could take hours. You really want to go through that, huh?"

Officer Daniels' voice was laced with an air of authority and a hint of menace as he continued his attempt to intimidate Linda.

"You know what? The station isn't the cozy place you see in movies. It's a maze of bureaucracy and paperwork. Imagine hours in a cramped cell, surrounded by strangers. You won't have your precious privacy there."

He glanced at Linda, gauging her reaction. "And the questioning? It's not pleasant. You'll be interrogated by detectives who don't have the patience for your tales. They'll dig into your life, every little detail, looking for any reason to make your stay less comfortable...

"Then there's the fingerprinting, the mugshots. Your face plastered on the walls...your fingerprints cataloged! A permanent record of this little incident which will tarnish your name for the rest of your life!" a sly smile played on his lips as he continued.

Officer Daniels leaned in, lowering his voice to a near-whisper, "And let's not forget the lovely company you'll have—those menacing criminals who made choices that landed them behind bars. You'll be rubbing elbows with a colorful bunch, and you'll regret every bit of it!"

Despite the vivid imagery painted by Officer Daniels, Linda remained composed, unaffected by his attempts to instill fear. She understood she was being framed for something she never did and continued to stand her ground.

Meanwhile, Miss Jones and Martin, who had stepped away briefly, returned with Linda's bag. They urged Officer Daniels to check its contents, confidently asserting that Linda must be hiding stolen merchandise.

"Here you go, Officer. Check her bag thoroughly. We know she's hiding something in there. Stolen merchandise, perhaps?" Miss Jones grinned as she thrust Linda's bag into Officer Daniels' hands.

"Yeah, Officer Daniels, you might want to see what our innocent shopper has been carrying around. It's surprising what people try to sneak out these days!" Martin smirked.

"Go on, take a look, Officer. I guarantee you won't find anything suspicious in that bag," Linda crossed her arms and waited for Officer Daniels as he unzipped her handbag and peered inside.

Linda wore a confident grin and wasn't concerned. She knew she hadn't stolen anything, and the contents of her bag would prove her innocence. However, her confidence shattered when Officer Daniels pulled out a brand-new white padded bra from her purse.

"Care to explain this, Miss? What is this brand-new bra doing in your bag?" he held it up with a sly grin. Miss Jones and Martin gasped, feigning a shocked reaction.

"Oh my God...see, I told you, Officer. She stole this from our store. It even has one of our reputed line's labels on it," Miss Jones retorted, pointing at Linda.

"I... I didn't put that there. I have no idea how it got in my bag," Linda stammered in shock.

Officer Daniels, now seemingly with the upper hand, continued his questioning. "Really? You expect me to believe that? A conveniently placed bra in your bag? Did it crawl all the way up to your handbag, uh, lady? Looks like you're not as innocent as you claim."

Linda's nerves began to show, her hands shaking slightly as she tried to comprehend what was happening. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, and she realized she was being framed for theft.

Anxiety and disbelief cloaked her eyes, and she could not believe the staff of such a reputed store would stoop so low and put her in such a horrible mess.

"I knew from the moment you walked in here that you were trouble. You can drop the act, lady. We've got you red-handed, and there's no way out of this. Stop pretending like you're all holy, you thief!" Miss Jones yelled, her words rubbing salt into Linda's wound.

"You think you can just waltz in here, steal from us, and then lie straight to our faces? Well, you picked the wrong store, sweetheart. We're not letting you get away with it."

Miss Jones raised the bra, shooting a piercing and unkind stare at Linda. "I knew this belonged to us the moment it turned up in your bag. Save the theatrics. You're not fooling anyone. You might have played the innocent card for a while, but your lies are catching up to you."

"You thought you could outsmart us, didn't you? But you're not the first to try and certainly won't be the last. We've seen it all! What else did you steal?" Martin added as Linda stood frozen and shaken.

"So, what's your excuse now? Planning to blame it on someone else? Make up another fairy tale to save your skin? It won't work. You're caught, and now you're going to pay for your little stunt," Officer Daniels declared.

Linda's voice quivered with frustration and humiliation as she vehemently argued her innocence.

"I have no idea how that bra got in there, Officer! They must have put it in my bag. You have to believe me! I gave him the bag before entering the store. How on earth would I steal the bra and put it in my bag when I didn't have it with me?" Linda argued.

Brushing off her claims with a dismissive tone, Officer Daniels retorted, "Save the stories for the station, Miss. We'll sort it out there."

Undeterred, Linda demanded to check the CCTV footage, her eyes searching for any semblance of justice. "Check the cameras! I'm sure they'll reveal the truth. I haven't done anything wrong. He had my bag…and I'm sure they're trying to frame me by putting the bra in my bag," her hands trembled with frustration and desperation.

With a calculated smirk and an air of superiority, Miss Jones intervened. "Oh, dear. Unfortunately, there was a power fluctuation a while ago...and the cameras went out. I doubt we'd retrieve a backup of all previous recordings. Just bad timing, I suppose!"

Linda's frustration was evident in the creases forming on her forehead. "Okay, so now there's no footage due to a power outage? I know where this is going. You're all in this together. You're trying to frame me," Linda retorted, her voice laced with frustration and growing anxiety.

Linda's temper didn't go too well with Miss Jones and Officer Daniels. "Officer, why don't you just drag her in and check her out? We're yet to find what else she's hiding under her dress," Miss Jones turned to Officer Daniels, who spat his bubble gum and forcefully led Linda to the fitting booth.

"I'm afraid the law won't permit me to touch her or take her clothes off with my own hands," Officer Daniels smirked.

"And the law permits you to ask a woman to undress herself in front of you, is it?" Linda argued.

"Alright, enough of your drama, lady. Take off your shirt," Officer Daniels lost his cool and barked his order as Linda froze in terror.

"No, please, don't do this. Officer, this isn't right. You don't know who I am...You can't force me to do this—" poor Linda pleaded. But her cries were ignored.

"Miss Jones, I guess our thief here would be needing a third hand! She's one tough woman. Why don't you go inside and help her take off her shirt while I stand here?" Officer Daniels turned to Miss Jones

Linda cried and begged Miss Jones to stop. But she did not hesitate to undress poor Linda and check her body for stolen merchandise, that too in front of Officer Daniels. The search lasted a couple of minutes. However, they found nothing suspicious, and Linda was left shattered and shaken in a corner.

"Alright, put on your shirt and come out, Miss," Officer Daniels declared. "We still have charges to press against you for stealing the store merchandise!"

Linda dressed up and shakily emerged from the fitting booth, tears springing from her eyes. "I'll make sure justice is served," she cried.

"Oh, cut it! You can argue all you want at the station. Now, you have no choice but to come with me," Officer Daniels declared, maintaining a stern demeanor.

Linda's eyes widened, and her breath caught in her throat. Refusing to be treated unjustly, she leaned to grab her bag, her hands visibly shaking. "I won't be treated like this. You're making a mistake. I want to leave the store immediately," she declared.

Officer Daniels' patience started wearing thin. "Hold on...lady. Are you resisting arrest? Miss Jones and Martin here are eyewitnesses to it. You're just adding layers to the little trouble you've gotten yourself into," he said as Linda's heart pounded in her chest. She felt cornered, and the weight of the situation closed in.

Miss Jones and Martin affirmed Officer Daniels' statement. "Yes, she's resisting," they said in unison, their voices almost triumphant and eyes eager to see Linda being dragged to the police cruiser.

Linda's shoulders slumped in frustration. "Why are you doing this to me? I just wanted to shop here. I didn't ask for this humiliation. Let me go," she pleaded, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"The witnesses have spoken. Miss, I'm placing you under arrest. Turn around and put your hands behind your back," Officer Daniels demanded. Feeling defeated, Linda turned around as Officer Daniels handcuffed her, the cold metal biting into her wrists.

Linda's eyes darted around, searching for any glimmer of support or understanding in the faces of the onlookers. But no one stepped in to help her, and all she got were cold, unkind stares from strangers who witnessed everything through the huge glass doors.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law," the Officer continued, his words echoing in the tense atmosphere of the boutique.

As Officer Daniels prepared to escort Linda to the cruiser, her phone let out a shattering ring in her bag. "Please, I have to take that call," she begged the Officer, only to be turned down almost immediately.

"You're not allowed to take the call," Officer Daniels declared.

"Officer, you don't understand. What if it's from my kids? They are alone at home with their nanny. It might be an important call from them," Linda insisted.

"Alright!" A moment of hesitancy flickered across Officer Daniels' face before he begrudgingly agreed. However, a powerful and cunning move overshadowed his gesture. Instead of handing the phone to Linda, he swiped to answer and put it on loudspeaker, amplifying the vulnerability of the situation.

"You can talk now!" he grinned as Miss Jones and Martin burst into a chuckle.

"Hello?" A woman's voice resonated from the phone. "Good evening. This is Miss Holmes from the mayor's office. Am I speaking with Miss Davidson?"

Officer Daniels, Miss Jones, and Martin froze to the ground. The unexpected call from a city official brewed their worst fears as they stared at Linda.

"Yes, speaking," Linda answered.

"Oh, good gracious, Miss Davidson, I got you on the line. Are you alright? The mayor wants to confirm your appointment with him," Miss Holmes's voice chimed through the speaker, oblivious to the storm brewing in the boutique.

"Unfortunately, I'm not alright, Miss Holmes. A police officer has assaulted me," Linda spilled out as she exchanged a piercing stare with Officer Daniels.

Blood drained from Officer Daniels' face as Linda dropped the bombshell. "A police officer, along with two other store workers, framed me for theft and forced me to undress in front of them," Linda added, the gravity of her words sinking in as the once-confident Officer now stood speechless and shaken.

"Oh my God. What is the Officer's name, Miss Davidson? We wouldn't want any inconvenience on your end, especially before your appointment with the mayor. You're his esteemed guest for tonight's event," Miss Holmes exclaimed on the other end.

"His name is..." Linda gazed at the cop's badge and read out his full name. "And he's on the speakerphone right now! We're at Mayflower Fashion Emporium!"

"Hold on, Miss Davidson. All nearby patrols are on their way to you right now," Miss Holmes declared as Officer Daniels grew tense.

Miss Holmes swiftly transferred the call to the Sheriff, whose voice echoed with authority and anger, cutting through the tense atmosphere of the boutique. "Officer Daniels, what the hell is going on? Why did you arrest the new District Attorney? Do you even have any idea of who you arrested?"

"The D-District Attorney??" Officer Daniels stammered, his eyes bulging in fright.

"Miss Davidson, are you alright?" the Sheriff's voice cut off Officer Daniels, who stood shaken at the revelation.

"I don't know if I'm alright, Sheriff. This wasn't something I expected—I was asked to undress by a cop who was supposed to be protecting people and their rights. I was framed for theft and arrested...

"I'm standing here with handcuffs on, and I don't know if I'm safe around these people who would stoop so low to shame me only because I'm a person of color," Linda shot a piercing glare at Officer Daniels, and the other two as she spoke into the phone.

"Daniels, release Miss Davidson immediately!" the Sheriff's voice thundered through the phone, a stern command directed at Officer Daniels.

"Daniels, are you out of your mind? What possessed you to arrest the District Attorney? She's the mayor's esteemed guest of honor!"

Beads of sweat formed on Officer Daniels' forehead. "Sheriff, it was a mistake. I thought she stole something, and I—" he stammered.

"A mistake? Do you have any idea what you've done?" the Sheriff barked. "You've put the entire department in jeopardy! Effective immediately, you're suspended! I can't have an officer jeopardizing relations with the mayor's office and unlawfully detaining a high-profile guest."

Officer Daniels, shaken and speechless, attempted feeble apologies, "Sheriff, I—"

"No more excuses, Daniels. Clean out your desk. You're done…And be ready to face the consequences," the Sheriff declared, his words hanging heavily in the air.

As the conversation heated up, Miss Jones and Martin stood shell-shocked. They found themselves entangled in a mess of their making and had no idea how to face Linda or convince her to forgive them and not report them.

"I'm on my way, Miss Davidson. The police will be there any minute to sort this out. And Officer Daniels, you better be ready to remove your police badge," the Sheriff reassured Linda over the phone.

Linda, though relieved by the Sheriff's intervention, couldn't shake off the shame and anxiety that had settled in. The unfolding drama had not only tarnished her reputation but also exposed the abuse of power within the precinct.

"Thank you, Sheriff. I appreciate your prompt action," Linda said, her eyes never leaving Officer Daniels. With a shake of her head, she turned around as Officer Daniels immediately removed the handcuffs, stammering out an apology.

"I made a mistake, Ma'am. I was just doing my duty when a theft was reported, and I—" Daniels began, but Linda interrupted him, her fury barely contained.

"ENOUGH! I don't have the time to listen to your vague excuses. I'm the sole witness to the discrimination and poor treatment I faced here...and it's my duty to protect all people from experiencing similar distress in the future. Your duty is not to harass innocent citizens…but to protect them. You don't dictate the law...you obey it!"

Linda then directed her piercing gaze toward Miss Jones and Martin, condemning them for discrimination and racism. "You don't have the right to judge anyone by their skin color and appearance," she declared, her words carrying the weight of a woman who had endured more than her share of prejudice.

An uncomfortable silence settled in the boutique as Linda continued to lay bare the failures of those who were supposed to uphold justice.

"An Officer, sworn to protect society and treat everyone equally, failed in unthinkable ways," she asserted, her gaze piercing through the remorseful expressions of Daniels, Miss Jones, and Martin.

"Besides, who gave you the right to judge me by how I look? Who told you the respect and dignity one deserves is only skin deep?"

As the distant wail of police sirens grew closer, Linda pressed on. "You took the law into your hands, attempting to pave the way for injustice, and I can't allow that at any cost."

Feeling the weight of Linda's accusations, Miss Jones stepped forward, her voice laced with remorse. "I'm extremely sorry, Miss Davidson. Please, forgive us," she pleaded. "I have children. I can't afford to lose this job. It won't happen ever again. Please forgive me."

"Sorry? Oh please, don't take the trouble because I won't let this slide," Linda declared. "Today, it's me. Tomorrow, it will be someone else! People like you need to learn to value and respect everyone equally and not judge someone by their skin color...

"Justice is everyone's equal right...and the law doesn't know black or white. I promise to seek justice for being wronged and discriminated against," Linda declared, her eyes locking onto the three.

"I'll take my bag, please," Linda added as Martin quickly handed her handbag. The trio, hangdog and remorseful, stared pleadingly at the woman they shamed and oppressed, fearing the consequences of their ill-fated actions as the sirens drew closer.

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