A Merciful Silence (Mercy Kilpatrick #4)(7)

“I don’t suppose you have an Oregon driver’s license?” Truman asked.

“Don’t need one. This card shows the state has recognized my claim as a sovereign citizen. I am not a citizen of the United States. I have diplomatic immunity, and I am the representative of Joshua Forbes. This card replaces all other forms of identification.”

Why not just state your name is Joshua Forbes?

The man stuck his head out the window and got a look at Truman’s Eagle’s Nest uniform. “Sorry, Mr. Daly, but you have no claim over me. I only stopped to be mannerly.”

Joshua’s tone was still polite, but Truman suspected that wouldn’t last long.

“How much did you pay for this card, Joshua?”

Joshua frowned. “What does that matter?”

“Because this is a money-sucking scam. This card has no authority whatsoever. Who sold it to you?”

“I don’t expect you to understand it,” Joshua said, his blue eyes narrowing. “It’s above your law.”

“No, it’s not. It’s no one’s law. Someone took advantage of you. What’d it cost? Three thousand dollars?”

The young man was silent.

“All you did was pad someone’s pockets. He’s selling hopes and dreams, not legal IDs. This card doesn’t declare that you’re exempt from US taxes and laws. It declares that someone is running a scam.”

“I had to get an apostille—”

“An apostille simply confirms the notarization was legitimate. Not the document. I don’t suppose he sold you lifetime car insurance too?”

“It’s good for—”

“It’s good for shit.” Truman felt a microscopic twinge of sympathy for the young man. Money was dear out here. This man had probably spent years of savings on the printed garbage. “Here’s a life lesson for you: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You know your license plate is illegal too, right?” Truman was relieved to see a second county patrol unit stop behind the first. He and Joshua were currently outside Eagle’s Nest city limits, but when he’d first spotted the speeder, they’d been in Truman’s territory. He’d be more than happy to let county take over Joshua Forbes.

“I have an unimpeded, God-given right t-to t-travel as I wish,” Joshua stuttered. “You’re violating my rights.”

Two county deputies approached as rain started to sprinkle. “I like that license plate, Truman,” said the tallest one. His casual tone belied the sharp, understanding look in his eyes. The deputy had taken in the entire situation with one glance. Both men had their hands near their weapons, their alert stances stating they knew how violent SCs could turn when facing law enforcement.

“I don’t think Josh here knew he was breaking the law.” Truman handed the diplomatic card to the tall deputy, whose eyes lit up and face filled with a grin as he showed it to the second deputy. The second one looked fresh out of high school to Truman.

“Our supervisor would love to see this card,” the tall deputy said. “He’s fascinated with these guys.”

“I know my rights.” Joshua’s voice rose an octave. “You’re violating my rights.”

“Why don’t you step out of the car?” suggested the tall deputy.

“I do not consent!” Joshua tightened his grip on the steering wheel, anxiety filling his face.

“All we’re going to do is have a discussion about where you got your plate and your . . . diplomatic card,” Truman said in a calm voice as his heart rate accelerated. Joshua was pushing his luck. “It’s illegal to create and sell those.”

“I do not consent!”

“You can get out of the car on your own free will or I’m going to assist you,” said the tall deputy.

“You do not have authority over me!”

The younger deputy whipped open the car door, and the other repeated the command to get out of the car. Joshua lunged for his car door’s handle, attempting to yank it closed. “I do not consent! You are violating my rights! I will sue you for violating the rights of a free man!”

The tall deputy impressed Truman with a quick maneuver with the driver’s arm that had Joshua out of his seat and his chest on the damp gravel in the blink of an eye. Together the three of them cuffed the struggling man as he continued to shriek about consent and violated rights.

Truman stepped back and brushed the dirt off his knees, shaking his head. The stop hadn’t gone the way he’d hoped, but at least no one had been hurt. Why didn’t he just step out of the car?

“These people make no sense to me,” admitted Truman, meeting the gazes of the two deputies. “You got him?”

“Yep. We can take it from here. Unless you want to handle it,” the older one said with a wink.

Hell no.

The sky opened up and the rain turned into a downpour. Truman squatted next to Joshua, who was facedown in the gravel, and he spoke in a quiet voice, the rain dripping off the brim of his hat. “You seem like a decent guy. I’m going to assume you got sucked into something that sounded pretty terrific. Take a little time and educate yourself, okay? A real education. Not extremists on the internet.”

“Fuck off!” Joshua sent a furious look that seared into Truman’s brain. “You are going to regret violating my rights.”