He scrolled through his contacts.
Ryan watched him.
"Who are you calling?"
"My attorney."
Ryan smirked.
"Your attorney?"
"Yes."
"Does your attorney know you carry thousands of dollars in a wallet?"
Walter ignored the insult.
The phone rang twice.
Then a woman's voice answered.
"Mr. Hayes?"
"Good morning, Catherine."
"Is everything all right?"
Walter glanced at Ryan.
"I have been stopped by a police officer. He has taken my wallet and is questioning me about the cash I am carrying."
Catherine's tone changed immediately.
"Are you safe?"
"I believe so."
"Where are you?"
Walter gave her the highway location and described the nearby exit.
"Do not argue with the officer," she said. "Remain calm. I am going to contact the appropriate authorities and come to you."
Walter nodded.
"Thank you."
"Is the interaction being recorded?"
"Yes."
"Good. Do not delete anything, and do not sign any document you do not understand."
"I won't."
Catherine paused.
"Walter, is the money still in your wallet?"
"Most of it."
"Most of it?"
Walter glanced at the cash in Ryan's hand.
"The officer removed some of it."
Catherine went silent.
Then she spoke carefully.
"Do not make any sudden movements. Keep your phone with you if you can do so safely. I will call you back shortly."
The call ended.
Ryan stared at Walter.
"Who was that?"
"My attorney."
"What is her name?"
"Catherine Miller."
Ryan's face remained neutral, but he recognized the name.
Catherine Miller was a respected attorney who had represented several local businesses and had previously served on a public oversight committee.
He had heard colleagues mention her.
He had never expected to hear her name during a traffic stop involving an elderly man in an old jacket.
Ryan handed the phone back.
"That was unnecessary."
Walter slipped it into his pocket.
"Perhaps."
"You could have avoided all this by simply answering my questions."
"I did answer your questions."
Ryan looked away.
For the first time, he became aware of the camera mounted inside his patrol vehicle.
He had forgotten about it while focusing on the cash.
Now he remembered that the camera could record not only his words but also his actions.
He looked down at the bills in his hand.
He should have returned the money.
He should have ended the unnecessary detention, documented the original traffic concern, and allowed Walter to leave once the situation was resolved.
Instead, fear began to replace his earlier confidence.
He had already crossed a line.
And he was considering crossing another.
## CHAPTER 4: THE OFFICER'S SECRET
Ryan returned to his patrol vehicle and opened the passenger door.
He placed Walter's wallet on the seat.
Then he stood beside the door, looking toward the elderly man.
Walter remained near the SUV, waiting patiently.
Ryan could have corrected the situation at any moment.
He could have returned the wallet, apologized for the delay, and acknowledged that he had allowed suspicion to influence his judgment.
Instead, he began thinking about how to explain his actions if someone questioned him.
He told himself that he had been investigating a suspicious situation.
He told himself that carrying large amounts of cash was unusual.
He told himself that officers had to make difficult decisions quickly.
Each explanation sounded reasonable when he repeated it silently.
But none explained why he had refused to return the money after Walter had answered his questions.
None explained why he had mocked the man's clothing.
And none explained why he had begun to consider keeping the cash.
Ryan glanced at the wallet again.
Several bills lay beside it.
He could return the money and pretend he had never considered taking it.
But what if Walter complained?
What if the camera had recorded everything?
What if the department reviewed the footage?
Ryan's stomach tightened.
He had a mortgage, a car payment, and a young daughter. He had recently received a warning from his supervisor for failing to submit several reports on time.
Another disciplinary problem could end his career.
He looked at Walter.
The old man appeared tired but composed.
Ryan suddenly resented him for making the situation complicated.
"Sir," he called, "I need you to come over here."
Walter approached slowly.
"What is it?"
"I need you to explain where you got the money."
"I have already explained that."
"Then explain it again."
Walter stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because I need a clear statement."
"You have my identification. You have my registration. You have my explanation. What additional information do you need?"
Ryan raised his voice.
"Stop questioning my authority."
Walter's expression hardened.
"I am not questioning your authority to enforce the law. I am questioning what you are doing with my property."
Ryan looked toward the road.
A delivery truck had pulled over farther ahead. Its driver appeared to be watching the interaction.
Ryan lowered his voice.
"Listen carefully. If you continue refusing to cooperate, I can make this much more difficult for you."
Walter's face grew pale.
"Is that a threat?"
"It's advice."
"No, officer. It sounds like a threat."
Ryan took a step closer.
Walter did not retreat.
"I have lived in this town for more than forty years," the elderly man said. "I have paid my taxes, worked honestly, raised a family, and helped people whenever I could. I have never been arrested. I have never stolen anything. And I have never had someone treat me this way simply because of the clothes I wear."
Ryan's expression tightened.
"Do you think your age makes you special?"
"No."
"Then stop acting like a victim."
Walter looked at him sadly.
"I am not asking you to treat me as special. I am asking you to treat me fairly."
The words remained between them.
For a moment, Ryan looked as though he might apologize.
Then his radio crackled.
"Unit Twelve, status check. Please respond."
Ryan reached for the radio.
"Unit Twelve. Conducting a traffic investigation. Stand by."
The dispatcher responded.