David nodded.
"That's fair."
He opened his backpack.
But before he could remove anything, another vehicle entered the gas station parking lot.
A black SUV.
Then another.
Ryan immediately noticed.
The vehicles stopped near the patrol car.
Several people stepped out.
They were not local officers.
They wore FBI identification.
Ryan froze.
The lead agent walked directly toward them.
"Officer Mitchell?"
Ryan looked surprised.
"Yes?"
The agent showed his credentials.
"I'm Special Agent Laura Bennett."
Ryan looked confused.
"What is happening?"
Laura looked toward David.
Then smiled.
"That's what we'd like to know."
David smiled back.
"Laura."
The agent nodded.
"David."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Ryan looked between them.
"You know each other?"
Laura smiled.
"Yes."
She looked at David.
"Very well."
Ryan waited.
Then Laura said:
"Officer, do you know who you were speaking with?"
Ryan shook his head.
"No."
Laura looked at David.
"This is David Carter."
She paused.
"Former FBI Special Agent."
Ryan's expression changed.
The quiet man standing beside the gas pump was not simply a retired government worker.
He was someone whose career had been built around investigations.
Laura continued:
"He spent thirty-two years with the Bureau."
"He trained agents."
"He led major investigations."