“Do you think you're somebody important?”
James looked toward the ground.
His identification booklet lay open beside the rear tire.
A photograph was visible.
Beneath it were several lines of official lettering.
Officer Brooks noticed something.
He stepped closer.
“Trooper…”
Hayes didn't turn.
“What?”
“Sir, I think you should look at that identification.”
“I told you to stay back!”
Brooks bent down and picked up the booklet.
He opened it fully.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then his face went completely pale.
He looked at the photograph.
Then at James.
Then back at the identification.
“Jesus Christ…”
Hayes finally turned.
“What is it?”
Brooks held up his radio.
“Dispatch, this is Officer Brooks. I need immediate supervisory assistance at our location.”
Hayes frowned.
“What are you doing?”
Brooks's voice began to shake.
“Confirming the identity of an individual involved in a roadside detention.”
“Put that radio down!”
Brooks ignored him.
“Repeat, we have a senior federal official on scene. I need the regional command supervisor and federal liaison immediately.”
Hayes slowly released James.
“What?”
Brooks turned the booklet toward him.
Hayes glanced at the photograph.
Then read the title.
His expression collapsed.
JAMES CARTER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
For several seconds, Hayes couldn't speak.
He looked at James.
Then at the booklet.
Then at the younger officer.
“That's…”
His voice broke.
“That's not possible.”
James pushed himself away from the truck and straightened his shirt.
“Apparently, it is.”
Hayes immediately changed his expression.
“Sir… I think there's been a misunderstanding.”
James looked at him.
“A misunderstanding?”
“Yes, sir. I was just trying to—”
“Trying to what?”
Hayes gave an awkward smile.
“Make sure everything was safe.”
James looked at the dust-covered identification booklet in Brooks's hand.
“Is that why you threw my credentials onto the ground?”
Hayes reached toward his shoulder.
“Sir, let me explain.”
James stepped away.
“Don't touch me.”
Hayes froze.
The younger officer stood motionless.
James picked up his identification.
He brushed the dust from its cover.
Then he looked at Hayes.
“You asked me whether I thought I was somebody important.”
Hayes swallowed.
“Yes, sir.”
James closed the booklet.
“I wasn't trying to be important.”
He paused.
“I was trying to give you a chance to do your job correctly.”
Hayes's face became increasingly pale.
“Sir, I sincerely apologize.”
James looked toward the younger officer.
“Officer Brooks, how long have you been assigned to this patrol unit?”
“Eight months, sir.”
“Have you witnessed similar conduct?”
Brooks hesitated.
Hayes immediately interrupted.
“Sir, this is an isolated incident.”
James slowly turned toward him.
“I wasn't asking you.”
Brooks looked at James.
Then he answered.
“Yes, sir.”
Hayes's expression changed.
“Ethan…”
Brooks continued.
“I've witnessed him stop drivers without documenting a clear reason. I've seen him threaten people who asked for his badge number. And I've seen him alter the wording of incident reports after the stops.”
Hayes stared at him.
“You'd better be careful what you say.”
James raised one hand.
“That's enough.”
He turned toward Brooks.
“Do you have records?”
Brooks nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
“Where?”
“On a secure drive. I made copies after I noticed discrepancies in several reports.”
James studied him.