The first officer slowly pulled the object from Victoria’s pocket.
For the first time since the traffic stop began, his confident expression disappeared.
His partner stepped closer.
“What is it?”
The first officer didn’t answer.
He turned the small metal object over in his hand and noticed an identification number engraved into the back.
Beneath it was an official seal.
The two officers exchanged a glance.
Victoria watched them carefully.
“That belongs to the state inspector who reviewed complaints involving this department last year,” she said.
The first officer looked up.
“Why do you have it?”
“Because he gave it to me.”
“Why?”
Victoria took a breath.
“Because I’ve been cooperating with an investigation.”
The atmosphere changed immediately.
The second officer frowned.
“An investigation into what?”
Victoria glanced toward her car.
“There’s a blue folder on the passenger seat.”
The officers looked through the window.
A thick folder was clearly visible.
With Victoria’s permission, one of them retrieved it.
The first page contained photographs.
Then dates.
Vehicle numbers.
Written statements.
And records of complaints involving traffic stops along the same stretch of road.
The first officer slowly looked up.
“Where did you get these?”
“They’re copies of records obtained through proper channels.”
His partner turned another page.
“You’ve been investigating us?”
“No.”
Victoria paused.
“I’ve been trying to understand what happened to my brother.”
That answer changed the conversation.