"Another what?"
"Somebody who thinks he can park wherever he wants."
The younger officer looked toward the road.
"The SUV's off the travel lane."
The sergeant scowled.
"That's not the point."
He made a U-turn where conditions permitted.
Then drove toward the turnout.
The younger officer watched the commissioner standing beside his vehicle.
The man wasn't behaving aggressively.
He was looking toward the fallen marker.
One hand rested against his hip.
The other held his phone.
The younger officer wondered whether he needed assistance.
He expected the sergeant to ask.
Instead, the older man stopped, opened his door, and approached with an expression of irritation.
"Hey!"
The commissioner turned.
"Good afternoon."
The sergeant pointed toward the SUV.
"What's going on here?"
The commissioner gestured toward the ditch.
"There's a downed road marker and some runoff near the shoulder. I was going to report it."
The sergeant looked toward the marker.
Then back at him.
"Did I ask for a road report?"
The commissioner paused.
"No."
"Then answer the question."
The man studied him.
"I'm stopped in the turnout. I noticed a possible maintenance issue."
The sergeant folded his arms.
"License."
The commissioner remained calm.
"Certainly. It's in my vehicle."
"Registration too."
"Of course."
He moved slowly toward the driver's door.
The sergeant followed closely.
The commissioner retrieved his wallet and vehicle paperwork.
Then handed the documents over.
The older officer examined the license.
He looked at the address.
Then at the name.
It was the same name displayed in the departmental announcement that morning.
But the sergeant hadn't read the announcement.
And he had no idea who the man was.
He looked up.
"You from around here?"
The commissioner nodded.
"Originally."
"Originally?"
"My mother still lives nearby."
The sergeant gave a skeptical laugh.
"That so?"
"Yes."
The older officer looked toward the expensive SUV.
Then toward the commissioner.
"What kind of business brings you out here?"
The man paused.
"Visiting family."
The sergeant stared.
"That's not what I asked."
The commissioner remained steady.
"It's the answer."
The younger officer shifted beside the patrol vehicle.
Something about the exchange made him uncomfortable.
His partner had been speaking sharply since the beginning.
The motorist had provided the requested documents.
His vehicle was off the roadway.
And there was no obvious reason for the hostility.
The sergeant leaned closer.
"You getting smart with me?"
The commissioner took a slow breath.