Then he said something Daniel never expected.
"Turn around."
Daniel's expression changed.
"Am I being detained?"
The officer didn't answer.
"Turn around."
Daniel slowly turned.
He heard the click of handcuffs.
And suddenly, a simple traffic stop became something else entirely.
The metal cuffs closed around Daniel's wrists.
He remained completely still.
The officer placed one hand against his shoulder.
"Don't move."
Daniel looked over his shoulder.
"Officer, I need to understand what's happening."
"You'll understand when we get to the station."
Daniel's voice remained calm.
"What am I being arrested for?"
The officer didn't answer.
Daniel looked toward the patrol vehicle.
The red and blue lights continued to flash against the dark road.
Cars passed in the distance.
Some slowed.
Most continued.
Daniel felt a familiar sensation.
Not fear.
Something more frustrating.
Disbelief.
He had spent years telling young officers that every citizen deserved an explanation.
Now he was the citizen receiving none.
"Officer," Daniel said, "my name is Daniel Carter."
"I have your license."
"I work for the police department."
The officer gave a short laugh.
"Everybody says that."
Daniel turned slightly.
"I'm not joking."
"Neither am I."
The officer moved him toward the front of the silver sedan.
Daniel stopped.
"I need you to tell me the reason for the arrest."
The officer tightened his grip.
"Keep walking."
Daniel looked at him.
"I am cooperating."
"Then cooperate."
Daniel took another step.
The officer guided him toward the hood of the vehicle.
Daniel's jacket brushed against the front of the car.
He could feel the cold metal beneath his hands.
The officer searched him.
Wallet.
Phone.
Keys.
Everything was removed from his pockets.
Daniel remained silent.
Then he noticed something on the ground.
A small metal object.
It had fallen near the officer's boot.
At first Daniel couldn't identify it.
The officer moved one foot backward.
The object became visible under the streetlight.
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
It looked like a badge.
A police badge.
But it wasn't the officer's.
Daniel knew the insignia on his own department's badges.
He had spent years looking at them.
This one looked older.
More unusual.
And there was something engraved across its surface.
Daniel couldn't read it clearly from where he stood.
The officer noticed Daniel looking down.
"What?"