Traffic was light.
The road passed farmland, wooded areas, and small roadside businesses whose signs had faded beneath years of sunlight.
She kept the speed appropriate to the posted limit and maintained a steady position in her lane.
At one intersection, a pickup truck pulled behind her.
It followed for several miles.
Then turned onto a side road.
Nothing unusual.
Farther along, she passed a convenience store with a weathered sign advertising cold drinks and fishing supplies.
A sheriff's patrol vehicle stood near the edge of the parking lot.
She noticed it.
Then continued driving.
Several miles later, the patrol car appeared in her rearview mirror.
It maintained its distance.
She didn't react.
Her hands remained on the steering wheel.
The afternoon sunlight flashed across her bracelets as she passed beneath a gap in the trees.
Then the patrol vehicle accelerated.
Blue lights appeared.
She checked the road ahead.
A broad gravel shoulder opened beside a grassy verge.
She signaled.
Reduced speed.
And pulled over carefully.
The patrol vehicle stopped behind her.
A second sheriff's unit arrived shortly afterward.
She watched through the mirror as two uniformed men stepped out.
The older deputy approached with the confidence of someone who expected immediate obedience.
The younger officer remained closer to the patrol vehicle.
The woman lowered her window.
The senior deputy glanced at her face.
Then at the outfit.
His expression changed.
"Where you headed?"
She answered with the city of her destination.
He looked toward the car's interior.
"Fancy ride."
"Thank you."
He leaned closer.
"License and registration."
She provided both.
The deputy studied her driver's license.
Then glanced back at her.
For several seconds, he looked almost amused.
"What's all this supposed to be?"
She followed his gaze toward her clothing.
"My outfit."
He laughed.
"You heading to a costume party?"
"No."
He looked toward the bracelets.
Then toward the silver strands falling across her trousers.
"Must be nice having money to waste."
She remained calm.
"Can you tell me why you stopped me?"
The deputy's expression hardened.
He stepped back.
Then told her the vehicle's registration had been flagged.
She asked what the flag indicated.
He didn't answer clearly.
Instead, he ordered her to step out.
She asked whether there was a specific reason the registration couldn't be verified while she remained seated.