Then it disappeared.
He looked at the photograph.
He looked at Adrian.
Then he looked at the title again.
His fingers tightened around the wallet.
“Wait…”
Adrian remained silent.
Ryan swallowed.
“No. That can't be right.”
He examined the identification number, then the seal. His face began losing color.
“What the hell…”
Adrian finally spoke.
“Do you understand now why you should have verified my identity before accusing me of a crime?”
Ryan stared at the card as if the words might rearrange themselves into something less alarming.
The title was clear.
FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR — INTERNAL INTEGRITY DIVISION.
And beneath it was Adrian Cole's photograph.
Ryan slowly lowered the identification card.
“You're a federal investigator?”
Adrian held his gaze.
“Yes.”
Ryan's mouth opened, but no words came out.
The patrol car's flashing lights continued to reflect off the windows behind them. A radio crackled faintly from inside the vehicle.
For several seconds, the only sound was the wind moving through the grass beside the highway.
Then Ryan forced out a nervous laugh.
“Okay. Look, if this is some kind of misunderstanding—”
“It is.”
Ryan visibly relaxed.
“Good. Then we can clear this up.”
Adrian's expression remained cold.
“You misunderstood your authority. You misunderstood the situation. And you made accusations before checking the facts.”
“I was just doing my job.”
“Were you?”
Ryan glanced toward the patrol car.
Adrian noticed.
“Why are you looking at your vehicle?”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
Ryan straightened his uniform.
“Listen, Mr. Cole, I apologize if my approach came across as aggressive. These roadside stops can be unpredictable.”
Adrian said nothing.
Ryan tried again.
“I didn't know who you were.”
“That is precisely the problem.”
Ryan's eyes flickered toward the badge once more.
“What does the Internal Integrity Division have to do with a traffic stop?”
Adrian stepped away from the SUV and adjusted his jacket.
“Normally? Nothing.”
Ryan frowned.
“Normally?”
Adrian looked toward the distant horizon.
“But I've been investigating a pattern of questionable stops, missing evidence, and reports that don't match what actually happened.”
Ryan's expression changed.
“What kind of reports?”
“The kind that disappear after someone files a complaint.”
Ryan stopped breathing for a moment.
Adrian watched him carefully.
“Interesting reaction.”
“What reaction?”
“You heard three details, and you already look worried.”
Ryan forced himself to smile.
“I'm not worried. I'm just trying to understand what you're suggesting.”
“I'm not suggesting anything yet.”
Adrian held out his hand.
“The prescription bottle, please.”
Ryan hesitated.
Then he removed the bottle from his pocket and handed it over.
Adrian inspected the label before returning it to his jacket.
“Now, I'd like to see your body-camera footage from the beginning of this stop.”
Ryan's face tightened.