"What? 1.5?" Fries's eyes went wide. He rushed forward, trying to get a look at the reading. "That's impossible! I just measured it before I left. It was 2.5 millimeters!"
"Back off!"
The officer's hand went to the holster on his hip.
"Are you trying to assault an officer?"
Fries froze.
He looked at the young, cold face, at the other officers surrounding him like vultures.
He understood.
This wasn't a safety inspection at all.
They were just looking for trouble.
This was about pinning them down here for good.
"This isn't fair!" Fries roared. "You're deliberately giving us a hard time! I have a delivery to make! That's steel for building up Pittsburgh!"
"There's no steel here, only a non-compliant vehicle."
The officer tore off a pink impound slip and slapped it onto Fries's chest.
"The vehicle is being temporarily impounded pending further technical evaluation. You can leave, or you can wait on the grass by the side of the road."
