He slowed and pulled onto the shoulder.
His hands remained on the steering wheel.
He lowered the window.
Mercer approached.
"License and registration."
Daniel reached slowly toward the glove compartment.
"Before I move, officer, my documents are in the glove box."
Mercer immediately placed his hand near his weapon.
"Don't move."
Daniel froze.
"All right."
"Step out of the vehicle."
Daniel opened the door.
He stepped onto the hot pavement.
Mercer looked him up and down.
"Turn around."
Daniel obeyed.
"Hands on the roof."
Daniel placed both hands on the roof.
Cole stood behind Mercer.
His expression changed when he noticed Daniel's military haircut and the small silver wings pinned inside his wallet, visible through the open driver's door.
"Sir," Cole said, "are you military?"
Mercer shot him a look.
"I'll do the talking."
Daniel remained still.
"What did I do?" he asked.
Mercer walked around him.
"Speeding."
Daniel looked toward the patrol car.
"My speedometer was below the limit."
"You arguing with me?"
"No."
"Then shut up."
Daniel breathed slowly.
He had faced situations far more dangerous than this.
He had flown aircraft with warning lights flashing across the cockpit.
He had landed during crosswinds that would have terrified inexperienced pilots.
He had made decisions in seconds while traveling hundreds of miles per hour.
But none of that made him immune to the fear that came from standing helplessly on the side of a road with another man's hand resting inches from a firearm.
"Do you have identification?" Mercer asked.
"Yes."
"Military?"
"Yes."
"What rank?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Major."
Mercer laughed.
"A major?"
"Yes."
"You expect me to believe that?"
Daniel turned his head slightly.
"You can verify it."
Mercer's smile disappeared.
"Don't tell me what I can do."
The afternoon heat seemed to grow heavier.
Cole looked uncomfortable.
"Maybe we should just run the plate," he said quietly.
Mercer ignored him.
"Get on your knees."
Daniel turned.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"I don't understand."
Mercer stepped closer.
"I said get on your knees."
Daniel looked at the patrol vehicle.
Then at Cole.
The younger officer wouldn't meet his eyes.
Daniel slowly lowered himself.
One knee touched the asphalt.
Then the other.
The road burned through his trousers.
For several seconds nobody spoke.
Daniel heard the distant rumble of an aircraft.
He lifted his eyes toward the sky.
Nothing was visible yet.
Mercer noticed.
"Looking for someone to rescue you?"
Daniel said nothing.
The aircraft sound grew louder.
Mercer grabbed Daniel's wrist and pulled his arms behind him.
The handcuffs clicked shut.
Cole finally stepped forward.
"Sir, are you injured?"
Daniel looked at him.
"No."
Mercer stood.
"You've got an attitude problem."
Daniel looked directly into the officer's eyes.
"No, officer. I have a name."
Mercer paused.
Daniel continued.
"My name is Daniel Brooks."
Mercer shrugged.
"Congratulations."
"Major Daniel Brooks."
Cole's eyes widened.
Mercer laughed.
"You're telling me you're some kind of major?"
Daniel nodded.
"United States Air Force."
For the first time, Mercer's confidence flickered.
But only for a moment.
"Even better," he said.
Then he pushed Daniel toward the patrol car.
Neither man noticed the small black vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.