Before he could finish, the officer shoved his hand away coldly. The cash scattered across the floor with a sharp slapping sound that seemed to strike Erik directly across the face.
The officer's face darkened immediately. "Sir, watch yourself," he said sharply. "You can't bribe a police officer. Keep this up and you're going to make things a whole lot worse for yourself."
Then his tone turned even colder. "If you continue, we have the authority to detain you immediately."
Erik froze completely, humiliation written all over his face.
"Come with us to the station." The younger officer stepped forward and took out handcuffs. "You're suspected of assault and disturbing public order. You'll need to cooperate with the investigation."
Erik still looked unwilling to comply, but the officers'
