Maybe it was simply that Ryan had not seen many people like him.

"Sir, can you step away from the vehicle for a moment?"

David looked at him.

"Is there a problem?"

"I just need to ask a few more questions."

David slowly stepped away.

Several customers nearby began watching.

A woman getting coffee looked outside.

A truck driver stopped pumping gas.

David noticed the attention.

But he remained calm.

He knew police officers had difficult jobs.

He respected that.

However, Ryan did not realize something.

The stranger he was questioning was not someone trying to avoid authority.

He was someone who had spent decades working beside it.

And within minutes, the entire situation would change.

Because the patrol car Ryan was standing beside...

would soon be surrounded by FBI agents.

Chapter 2 — The Questions That Became Bigger Than Expected

David stood beside the gas station entrance while Officer Ryan continued asking questions.

The situation was not aggressive.

But it was uncomfortable.

David answered politely.

Ryan remained professional.

Yet something about the conversation created tension.

"Sir, you said you worked in government."

"Yes."

"What exactly did you do?"

David looked at him.

"I investigated cases."

Ryan nodded.

"Law enforcement?"

David smiled slightly.

"Something like that."

Ryan became more curious.

"Something like that?"

David looked around.

He did not want attention.

"I was a federal employee."

Ryan studied him.

"Do you have any proof?"

David looked confused.

"Proof?"

"Of your previous work."

David smiled.

"Why would I need to prove that?"

Ryan answered honestly:

"Because right now I don't know who I'm speaking with."