He turned.
“What?”
“Dispatch confirmed it’s registered to him.”
“I know.”
“And the VIN matches.”
“I know.”
The younger officer hesitated.
The Captain stepped toward her.
“You think a computer screen tells you everything?”
“No.”
“Then stop interrupting.”
She took one step back.
The First Twin watched.
That mattered.
The Captain turned back.
“Open it.”
The First Twin did not reach for the handle.
“Get a warrant.”
The Captain stared.
Rain ran from his hairline.
Then he smiled.
“All right.”
He stepped toward the vehicle himself.
The Second Twin moved half a step.
The First Twin subtly raised one hand.
Stop.
The Second Twin stopped.
The Captain pulled the driver’s door open.
He leaned inside.
The First Twin watched him.
The younger officer watched too.
Her body camera remained active.
The Captain opened the glove compartment.
Pulled everything out.
Insurance papers.
Owner’s manual.
Sunglasses.
Charging cable.
He threw them onto the wet pavement.
The younger officer looked sick.
The Captain reached beneath the passenger seat.
Nothing.
He opened the rear compartments.
Nothing.
He returned to the driver’s side.
Then he started on the dashboard.
The Second Twin finally spoke.
“Do not dismantle the vehicle.”
The Captain ignored him.
He pulled at trim.
The Rolls-Royce interior was handcrafted.
Leather.
Wood.
Metal.
Everything fitted precisely.
He used a small tool from his belt to pry at the lower dash panel.
The First Twin’s expression changed.
The Captain noticed.
There.
Interest.
He pried harder.
A panel released.
Wires appeared.
The Captain smiled.
“What’s this?”
The Second Twin’s eyes sharpened.
“Leave it.”
The Captain reached inside.
The younger officer moved closer.
“Captain, maybe we should stop.”
The Captain pulled out a black electronic module.
Compact.
No obvious commercial label.
Protected connectors.
The First Twin stared at it.
The Captain turned it in his hand.
“You boys hiding something?”
Neither answered.
The Captain smiled wider.
“Thought so.”
The Second Twin stepped once.