Naomi looked up.
"Good afternoon, Officer."
He did not respond to the greeting.
"Documents."
She nodded.
"My registration and insurance are in the glove compartment. My license is in my handbag. May I reach for them?"
The trooper stared at her.
"Just get them."
Naomi reached carefully into her handbag.
She removed the temporary paper license she had received from the motor vehicle agency after requesting a replacement card.
Her original had been damaged several days earlier when a bottle of water leaked inside her bag.
The motor vehicle office had issued a temporary credential valid while the replacement was mailed.
The document displayed her name, photograph, license number, expiration information, and required verification details.
She had checked its validity before beginning the drive.
She handed it through the window.
The officer looked at it.
His expression changed.
"What's this?"
"My temporary driver's license."
"That's paper."
"Yes. It's the temporary credential the state issued while my replacement card is being mailed."
He held the paper between two fingers.
"Looks fake."
Naomi kept her voice calm.
"You can verify it through the state licensing database."
The trooper gave a short laugh.
"So now you're telling me how to do my job?"
"No, sir. I'm explaining the document."
He looked inside the vehicle.
His eyes moved across the leather seats, the polished dashboard, and the expensive handbag resting beside her.
Then he looked at her clothing.
The elegant halter top.
The satin skirt.
The carefully styled hair.
The silver jewelry.
"Where are you coming from?"
"A luncheon in Richmond."
"What kind of luncheon?"
"A scholarship event."
He stared at her.
"Whose car is this?"
"Mine."
"Registered to you?"
"Yes."
He looked toward the registration envelope.
"Funny."
Naomi frowned slightly.
"What is?"
He glanced at the vehicle again.
"Nice car. Fancy dress. Paper license."
Naomi said nothing.
The officer leaned closer.
"What's your real story?"
She felt the first warning inside her chest.
Not fear exactly.
Recognition.
The officer was no longer trying to understand the document.
He was constructing a reason to distrust her.
"Officer, the registration and insurance match my name. You can verify everything."
He looked at the temporary license again.