Mercer looked at her for a moment, then returned to the Harley. Ruth continued recording from several yards away. Mercer examined the leather bag and found the locking mechanism near the top flap. Noah moved closer. “Wade, leave it alone.” Mercer pulled a small tool from the tow truck’s equipment tray. The driver raised both hands. “That’s your decision, deputy. I’m not touching it.” Mercer worked the tool against the lock. Maya did not move toward him. “You can still stop,” she said. Mercer looked over his shoulder. “You sound worried.” “I’m telling you that you do not have my permission.” “That’s been noted.” “No, it hasn’t.” Mercer turned back to the lock and forced it open. The metal clasp snapped. Ruth lowered her phone for a moment, then raised it again. Noah shook his head. “You just broke into it after she refused consent.” “I heard her.” “That makes it worse.”
Mercer opened the saddlebag and reached inside. Maya watched him without speaking. He removed a leather wallet and looked at it. For the first time since the stop began, Mercer stopped moving. He opened the wallet. Inside was a federal credential card and badge. His eyes moved across the identification twice before he looked at Maya. Noah noticed the change in his expression and walked closer. “What is it?” Mercer did not answer. Noah looked over his shoulder. The words were clear. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Maya Williams. Noah looked at Maya, then at the cuffs around her wrists. “You’re FBI?” Maya kept her attention on Mercer. He opened the wallet. Mercer stared at the credentials. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “You never asked what I did for a living.” “You knew what was happening.” “Yes.” “And you let me arrest you?” Maya did not answer. Mercer looked toward Ruth. She was still recording, but she was too far away to see what he was holding. He quickly closed the credential wallet. Noah lowered his voice. “Take the cuffs off.” Mercer did not move. “Wade.” “I heard you.” “She is a federal agent.” “That doesn’t erase the stop.” “No. But it changes what you need to do next.”
Mercer looked back into the saddlebag. Maya spoke immediately. “Do not remove anything else.” He ignored her and reached inside again. This time he pulled out a sealed document envelope. The front carried federal markings and a case reference. Mercer read the first visible page. His face changed again. Ashford County appeared near the top. Below it were references to vehicle seizures, towing contracts, storage records, disposal procedures, and private auctions. Then he saw two names. Clay Boone. Wade Mercer. Noah read them, too. Neither man spoke for several seconds. Mercer looked at Maya. “You came here for us.” Maya did not confirm it. “You’ve been investigating the department.” She remained silent. “How long?” Maya looked at the file in his hand. “You should call your supervisor.” Mercer folded the visible page back into the envelope and closed it. Noah held out his hand. “Give her documents back.” Mercer stepped away from him. “No.” “Those are federal materials.” “I can see that.” “Then stop making this worse.”