This was the moment targets often became unpredictable.
The Second Twin watched the Captain’s hands.
The Lead Agent repeated the command.
The Captain finally stepped back.
Two agents moved toward the Rolls.
Photographs.
Damage.
Dashboard.
Broken module.
Rear collision.
Puddled registration paper.
Everything documented.
The Captain looked at the First Twin.
“You think your job makes you untouchable?”
The First Twin looked at him.
“No.”
“That’s why the recording existed.”
The answer landed harder than anger.
The Captain said nothing more.
Agents separated the local officers.
The younger officer went willingly.
The Captain demanded counsel.
Good.
The Lead Agent stopped all substantive questioning immediately.
That irritated online spectators later.
People expected shouting.
Confessions.
Handcuffs.
Real investigations moved slower.
The twins understood.
The First Twin walked toward his destroyed car.
He stared at the crushed rear quarter.
Then the torn interior.
The Second Twin joined him.
Rain fell between them.
The First Twin rubbed one hand over his face.
The Second Twin looked at the car.
“Dad would laugh.”
The First Twin stared.
“At what?”
“The umbrella survived.”
The First Twin looked toward the rear door.
The built-in umbrella remained inside.
He laughed.
Once.
Briefly.
Then stopped.
The Lead Agent approached.
“Transport’s ready.”
The First Twin looked at his Rolls.
“I’m not leaving it here with county towing.”
The Lead Agent almost smiled.
“We assumed.”
A federal evidence transport crew had already been requested.
The Rolls would be moved to a secured facility.
Not because the entire car was evidence.
Because officers had made it one.
The twins entered one of the black SUVs.
As they pulled away, the First Twin looked back.
The Police Captain stood beneath the rain beside his supervisor.
No cuffs.
Not yet.
His hands were empty.
His authority suddenly looked smaller.
The Second Twin noticed his brother staring.
“You all right?”
The First Twin looked forward.
“No.”
That surprised him.
The Second Twin waited.
The First Twin continued.
“I knew what he was.”
“We suspected.”
“No.”
“I knew.”
He looked toward the rain-streaked window.
“When the registration came back clean, I thought he’d stop.”
The Second Twin said nothing.
“I wanted him to stop.”
“Even if it hurt the case.”
“Yes.”