As the couple pulled into the driveway they noticed automobile lights coming up behind them. Michael quickly pulled the car into its parking space, but before he could even bring the vehicle to a stop and turn the engine off, the dark sedan had pulled up behind them.
They had only been to their secluded mountain getaway a short time. This was their big weekend. They had been cooped up all winter long, and were desperate to get out of their house and have a little fun. Arriving a little earlier in the day, the couple had only been inside the cabin long enough to bring their bags in, change, and set out for the nightclub, in the town a few miles down the road.
Wondering who had come to visit them, Michael and Taylor remained seated in their vehicle. As he turned off the ignition they looked back through the car's frosty rear window. They could make out the shape of a large man as he stepped out of his car. Whoever he was, the man was leaving his motor running and the lights on. Taylor could see, out of the passenger side mirror, the man was walking to her side of the car. She could also see the dark figure carrying a flashlight. "Ah oh, I think it's the cops," she said as she rolled down the window.
"Good evening," the man said as he stood slightly behind the passenger door. "I need to see your identification and proof of insurance."
Taylor could feel the cool night air on her face as a slight breeze blew through the open window. She clutched at the long fur coat she was wearing, pulling it tight around her chest. The evening darkness and the shining beam of the flashlight obscured her view of the officer. She could tell he was a tall man, dressed in a suit and tie. He was obviously a detective or plain-clothes officer. "Hello," she replied. "Is there anything wrong sir?"
Taylor squinted as the man shined the flashlight into the vehicle, first looking in the back seat, then to the front. "I noticed you weaving back down the road," he said in a matter-of-fact tone. "May I see some identification?" he again asked.
Having had a few drinks that evening, Taylor turned and stumbled through her purse, searching for her driver's license. Michael on the other hand was fully in control of his senses and quickly leaned across his wife and presented the officer his wallet.
"Can you take the driver's license out of the wallet sir?" the man asked. Michael quickly responded, answering "Sorry. Of course."
Still searching through her purse Taylor was startled when the officer opened the passenger side door and asked, "Ma'am, will you step out of the vehicle?"
Stunned Taylor reached upwards, pulling the collar of the coat around her neckline. "Did we do something wrong officer?" she asked.
The man shined his light to the car's center console, revealing the wasted remains of a marijuana joint lying in plain view. Though inebriated, the woman had gathered herself together enough to feel a sense of dread as she looked at the joint. Complying with the man's wishes she slowly stepped out of the car, again clutching the fur coat at the neckline and at the waist.
Leaning down the officer looked through the passenger door at Michael. "Sir, I need you to step out of the car and walk around to the front," he ordered. Michael slowly opened the door and complied with the officer's command, walking to the front of his car and placing his hands on he hood.
