Ryan's jaw tightened.
“Watch your tone.”
“My tone isn't the problem here.”
Ryan lifted the bottle closer to Adrian's face.
“Then perhaps you can explain why you're carrying this.”
“I already did. It's prescribed medication.”
“That's convenient.”
“Would you like to call the pharmacy?”
Ryan stared at him as though the suggestion itself were an insult.
“You think you can tell me how to do my job?”
“No,” Adrian replied quietly. “I think you should remember what your job actually is.”
For the first time, Ryan seemed genuinely offended.
He shoved the bottle into his own pocket and stepped closer.
“Listen carefully. I decide what happens on this roadside. Not you.”
Adrian studied the officer's face.
There was no fear in his eyes, only disappointment.
“That attitude is going to cost you more than you realize.”
Ryan laughed.
“Is that a threat?”
“No. It's a warning.”
“From you?”
Ryan looked Adrian up and down, taking in the plain jacket, the simple clothes, and the absence of anything that suggested wealth or authority.
“Let me guess. You're going to tell me you know somebody important?”
Adrian said nothing.
“Maybe you're a lawyer. Maybe you're a politician. Maybe you think your money can get you out of trouble.”
Ryan leaned forward, lowering his voice.
“But out here, none of that matters. You follow my instructions, or I make this situation a lot worse for you.”
Adrian slowly exhaled.
“You've already made it worse.”
Ryan reached for Adrian's arm again.
This time, Adrian moved his hand away and looked directly into the officer's eyes.
“Stop.”
One word.
Calm. Firm. Unmistakable.
Ryan froze for half a second, surprised by the sudden change in Adrian's voice.
Then he reached toward his belt.
“Do not move.”
Adrian immediately held still.
“Officer, I am not resisting you.”
“Then stop acting like you have authority over me!”
“I haven't claimed authority over you.”
Ryan's eyes narrowed.
“Then what exactly are you?”
Adrian looked at the patrol car, then at the prescription bottle visible inside Ryan's partially open jacket pocket.
“Someone who knows that this conversation should have gone very differently.”
Ryan shook his head.
“You know what? I'm done listening to your speeches.”
He pulled out a small black leather wallet and began examining it.
“Let's see what else you've been hiding.”
Adrian's expression changed for the first time.
“Put that down.”
Ryan opened the wallet.
Inside was a professional identification card bearing an official-looking seal, a photograph, and a title printed in bold letters.
Ryan barely glanced at it.
“What is this supposed to be?”
Adrian didn't answer.
Ryan turned the card toward the sunlight.
His smirk lingered for another second.