Daniel said nothing.
The officer kicked the metal object slightly beneath the car.
Daniel's expression changed.
"Did you just move that?"
The officer stared at him.
"Move what?"
Daniel looked directly at him.
"The badge."
For the first time, the officer's face changed.
Only slightly.
But Daniel saw it.
A flash of uncertainty.
Then it disappeared.
"There is no badge."
Daniel remained silent.
The officer turned him toward the patrol car.
"Get in."
Daniel didn't move.
"Officer."
"What?"
"You know that object was there."
The officer's jaw tightened.
"Get in the car."
Daniel slowly stepped forward.
But something inside him had already changed.
This was no longer a routine misunderstanding.
Something was wrong.
The officer's name was Mason Reed.
Daniel learned that from the nameplate on his uniform.
He memorized it.
Not because he wanted revenge.
Because Daniel had learned long ago that details mattered.
Officer Reed opened the rear door of the cruiser.
"Sit down."
Daniel looked inside.
Then back at Reed.
"What is the charge?"
Reed finally answered.
"Suspicion of vehicle theft."
Daniel stared at him.
"My vehicle?"
"That's what the report says."
Daniel almost laughed.
"You think I stole my own car?"
Reed's expression remained hard.
"We'll sort it out at the station."
Daniel looked toward his silver sedan.
"My name is on the registration."
"We'll verify it."
Daniel shook his head.
"You already ran my license."
Reed said nothing.
Daniel continued.
"And the registration."
Still nothing.
"So you already know this car belongs to me."
Reed's eyes narrowed.
"Do you want to make this more difficult?"
"No."
"Then get in."
Daniel sat down.
The door closed.
As the officer walked around the vehicle, Daniel watched through the window.
Reed entered the driver's seat.
He started the engine.
The radio crackled.
Daniel listened carefully.
There was traffic.
A robbery call.
A medical emergency.
Routine police communication.
Nothing about a stolen vehicle.
Nothing about Daniel.
The cruiser began moving.