Chapter 19 - Page 273 - Louisiana Law

   Jim had driven some distance past Baton Rouge when he saw a cop in his side mirror. He hadn't broken any laws that he knew of, but the cop stayed right on his tail. Jim was worried, remembering the Louisiana vehicle confiscation laws. He just knew the cop was going to stop him for no reason at all.

   He slowed down to five miles below the posted speed limit. He hated driving in Louisiana. A sick feeling churned in his stomach as the cop turned on his overhead lights. Jim hadn't done anything wrong so he knew this was going to be a bad experience. He pulled onto the shoulder of the road and set his brakes and flashers. The officer pulled up behind him and parked.

   Shanha was asleep in the bunk and Rhasha was riding in the passenger seat. Rhasha could tell that Jim was worried. "Sweetheart," she said, "is something wrong?"

   "Yes," he replied tersely, "a cop just stopped me."

   By this time Shanha was awake and sitting on the side of the bunk.

   "Rhasha," Jim said, "I'll go and talk to the cop. You and Shanha stay in the truck."

   "Okay," Rhasha said. She unbuckled her seat belt and slid the seat back.

   Jim took his truck folder with him and climbed out of the truck. As he stepped down to the ground, the officer was waiting for him beside the truck. He held the leash of a police dog. Jim saw a second patrol car pull in behind the first patrol car.

   "Driver," the officer said, "I noticed your trailer was weaving. Have you had anything to drink?"

   Jim knew the cop was lying, but he was courteous. "No sir. I don't drink."

   The officer asked to see his driver's license, registration, and insurance papers. Jim handed him his cdl license and fumbled through the truck folder for the truck registration, and the Louisiana state permit. When Jim got his required paperwork together, the officer snatched them out of his hand. The police dog remained almost motionless.

   Keeping Jim's cdl license in his hand, the officer glanced at the other documents and gave them back to Jim. "Is there anyone else in the truck?" the officer asked.