“My camera isn't working properly.”
Adrian tilted his head.
“Is that so?”
“Technical issue.”
“Then we'll document that.”
Ryan's jaw clenched.
“You can't just come here and start investigating me because we had a disagreement.”
Adrian calmly placed his identification back inside the wallet.
“I'm not investigating you because we had a disagreement.”
He paused.
“I'm investigating you because this is the third time your name has appeared in a case involving evidence that went missing.”
Ryan stared at him.
For the first time since the stop began, the officer seemed to have no idea what to say.
Adrian took one slow step closer.
“And now you've handed me something I didn't even know I was going to find today.”
Ryan's voice dropped.
“What does that mean?”
Adrian reached into his jacket and removed a second identification card.
This one was different.
It had no photograph, no visible title, and no ordinary government seal. Instead, it carried a small encrypted symbol in one corner.
Ryan recognized it immediately.
His face went completely still.
Adrian noticed.
“You've seen this before.”
Ryan shook his head too quickly.
“No.”
“Don't lie to me.”
“I said I haven't seen it.”
Adrian studied him for several seconds.
Then he put the card away.
“Fine.”
He turned toward the patrol car.
“Call your supervisor.”
Ryan didn't move.
“Officer Mitchell.”
Still nothing.
Adrian slowly turned back.
“Call your supervisor. Now.”
Ryan reached for his radio with a trembling hand.
“Dispatch, this is Unit Twelve. I need a supervisor at my location.”
A burst of static answered him.
Then a woman's voice came through the radio.
“Unit Twelve, stand by. Your supervisor has already been notified.”
Ryan stared at the radio.
“What?”
The dispatcher continued.
“Officer Mitchell, remain at your current location. Do not leave the scene.”
Ryan's hand tightened around the device.
Adrian watched him.
“You didn't call anyone yet,” Adrian said.
Ryan looked up.
“What?”
“You hadn't contacted your supervisor before dispatch responded.”
The officer's face turned pale.
Adrian took another step toward him.
“Someone was already listening.”
Ryan backed away.
“That doesn't prove anything.”
“No,” Adrian replied. “But it raises an important question.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“Who knew I would be here today?”
Ryan looked toward the patrol car again.
This time, Adrian saw exactly what he had been looking for.
Fear.
Not fear of losing his job.
Not fear of being disciplined.
Fear of someone far more powerful than either of them.
Adrian lowered his voice.
“Officer Mitchell, I need you to answer one question honestly.”
Ryan said nothing.
“Who told you to stop my vehicle?”
“I stopped you because I had a reason.”
“What reason?”
Ryan's lips pressed together.