"Is this your car?"
David nodded.
"Yes."
"Can I see your identification?"
David looked slightly surprised.
"My identification?"
"Yes, sir."
David remained polite.
"May I ask why?"
Ryan explained:
"We've had some vehicle-related incidents in this area."
"I'm checking information."
David nodded.
"I understand."
He reached into his wallet.
Before handing over his ID, he asked:
"Is there a specific concern?"
Ryan looked at him.
"I'm just asking some questions."
David gave him the identification.
Ryan examined it.
The name meant nothing to him.
The address.
The information.
Everything looked normal.
But Ryan continued asking.
"Where are you traveling from?"
"Virginia."
"And where are you going?"
"Arizona."
"Business or personal?"
"Personal."
Ryan looked at him.
"What kind of work do you do?"
David smiled.
"I'm retired."
"From what?"
David paused.
"I worked in government."
Ryan looked curious.
"What department?"
David simply answered:
"Justice-related work."
The answer was vague.
Not because David wanted to hide anything.
Because he didn't think it mattered.
Ryan handed back the ID.
But something about the interaction still bothered him.
Maybe it was the way David avoided details.
Maybe it was the unusual calmness.