Taurian smacked his hand against the metal cage between him and the uniformed man. His captor jerked at the sound.

"Cut that out or your bail will include paying for a new barrier," he grumbled, then clicked a black box on his shoulder. "This is Officer Johnson, I've got a possible drug user who's already bent my car's cage, over."

"Copy," a crackly voice answered. "We'll have a room on standby for you."

Johnson adjusted the collar of his blue uniform ...