The radio crackled.
A woman's voice answered.
"Go ahead."
The rookie lowered his voice.
"Possible state investigative vehicle. I have a fleet identifier and a sealed equipment case displaying an official public-integrity marking."
There was a pause.
Then the dispatcher asked him to repeat the identifier.
He did.
The response took only a few seconds.
But when it arrived, the young deputy felt the blood drain from his face.
"Unit Seven, do not permit any unauthorized seizure or movement of that vehicle. State investigative command has been notified."
The rookie looked toward the woman.
Then toward his senior deputy.
The dispatcher continued.
"Confirm the status of the driver immediately."
The young man swallowed.
"She's standing beside the driver's door."
Another pause.
Then the voice changed.
"Is she being detained?"
The rookie stared.
For one terrible moment, he considered giving the answer his senior deputy would want.
Then he looked at the woman's wrist.
At the silver bracelets.
And at the older officer standing close enough to grab her again.
He pressed the radio button.
"Yes. My sergeant is demanding cash and threatening to seize the vehicle."
Silence.
Then the dispatcher spoke again.
"Repeat that."
The rookie took a breath.
"My sergeant demanded four thousand dollars in exchange for allowing the driver to leave."
The woman slowly turned toward him.
The senior deputy looked up.
"What are you doing back there?"
The rookie didn't answer.
The dispatcher returned, her voice suddenly hard.
"Unit Seven, maintain your position. State investigators are responding."
The older deputy began walking toward the rear of the car.
The rookie looked directly at him.
For the first time in his short career, he didn't lower his eyes.
"Sergeant," he said.
The older man stopped.
"What?"
The rookie glanced toward the woman.
Then swallowed.
"Sir, you need to step away from her."
The deputy stared.
For a moment, the highway seemed completely silent.
Then he laughed.
"Have you lost your mind?"
The younger officer's expression didn't change.
"That's a state investigative vehicle."
The senior deputy looked toward the registration.
Then toward the woman in the white cropped top.
His smile weakened.
The rookie continued.
"And the state command center just confirmed they're sending someone."
The older deputy turned back toward the woman.
For the first time, she saw genuine fear cross his face.