“Mister Gant, I’m sorry but the books clearly fit the description of items listed on the warrant.”

“Listen to what I’m telling you,” I stated once again then exaggerated the enunciation of my following sentences as if speaking to a small child. “They. Do. Not. Be-long. To. Her… They. Be-long. To. Me.”

“I’m sorry.” He ignored my patronizing comment and splayed out his hands in surrender to some higher power as he made the apology one more time. “But, we have to take them.”

“No. You don’t.”

His tone became harder and he shot back, “Look, the warrant has been served, and it’s my job to execute it per the instructions of the court. The books fit the description on the list, so the books go with us. It’s that simple and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Sure there is. You can stop spouting this Nuremberg nonsense about following orders, engage your brain, and give them back to me.”

“Okay, now listen to what I’m telling you,” he instructed. “Because this is the last time I’m going to say it. You aren’t getting the books back. As of this moment they are evidence. Now, up till a few minutes ago, you’ve been cooperative and we definitely appreciate that. But, if you’re going to start interfering, I’m going to have to ask you to step outside.”

I shook my head and stared back at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Bullshit. I have the right to be present during the search.”

“As long as you aren’t obstructing the search, that’s true. But, you’re getting very close to crossing that line.”

“So, just because you and your crew can’t use a little common sense, you’re going to kick me out of my own house?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

“Gods! What is it with you people?! Does the fact that I just bought those books have no bearing on this at all?”