The engine remained running for a few seconds.
Then the driver's door opened.
Sheriff Victor Hayes stepped out.
Hayes was fifty-two years old, heavyset, completely bald, and physically imposing. His black sheriff uniform was neatly pressed, and a gold badge was attached to the front of his shirt.
He had broad shoulders, a thick neck, and a stern expression that rarely softened.
For years, he had served as the most powerful law enforcement figure in Randolph County.
People knew his name.
They recognized his vehicle.
And many residents had learned that the easiest way to avoid trouble was to agree with him, even when they believed he was wrong.
A younger deputy named Ethan Miller stepped out from the passenger side.
Ethan was thirty-one, with short light-brown hair and a black uniform. He was less intimidating than Hayes and generally quieter, although he had worked alongside the sheriff long enough to understand how quickly an ordinary conversation could become an unpleasant confrontation.
The two officers walked toward the restaurant.
The bell above the door rang as they entered.
Several customers glanced up.
A man near the window lowered his newspaper.
Another customer stopped speaking halfway through a sentence.
Martha looked toward the entrance.
Her expression changed slightly when she recognized Hayes.
SHERIFF HAYES: "Afternoon."
MARTHA: "Good afternoon, Sheriff."
Hayes barely acknowledged her.
His eyes moved across the restaurant.
He looked at the customers, the tables, and the people seated near the windows.
Then he noticed Natalie.
She was still eating.
Hayes stared at her for several seconds.
He noticed her cream-white blazer, her black handbag, and the fact that she was sitting alone.
He did not know her name.
He did not know why she was in Randolph County.
He had no information suggesting that she had committed a crime.
But he decided that he wanted to question her.
Hayes began walking toward the booth.
Deputy Miller followed.
Natalie did not notice them immediately.
She lifted another portion of noodles with her chopsticks.
The sheriff stopped beside her table.
His shadow fell across the beige tabletop.
Natalie looked up.
For a moment, she simply stared at him, waiting for him to explain why he had approached.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You live around here?"
NATALIE: "No. I'm traveling through."
SHERIFF HAYES: "Where are you coming from?"
NATALIE: "Why do you need to know?"
Hayes did not appreciate the question.
SHERIFF HAYES: "I'm asking you something. You can answer."
Natalie placed her chopsticks down.
NATALIE: "I'm having lunch. Is there a problem?"
SHERIFF HAYES: "That depends on how cooperative you decide to be."
Natalie looked at him carefully.
She had encountered aggressive officials before.
She knew that raising her voice would not necessarily improve the situation.
NATALIE: "If you have a question, you can ask it. But I don't understand why you're approaching me like this."
Hayes moved closer to the booth.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You have a problem with law enforcement?"
NATALIE: "I have a problem with being treated disrespectfully for no reason."
Deputy Miller shifted slightly behind the sheriff.
He glanced at Natalie, then at Hayes.
The younger officer could already tell that the conversation was becoming uncomfortable.
DEPUTY MILLER: "Sheriff, maybe we should just ask her what we need to know."
Hayes ignored him.
His attention remained fixed on Natalie.
SHERIFF HAYES: "What's your name?"
NATALIE: "Natalie."
SHERIFF HAYES: "Natalie what?"
NATALIE: "Natalie Brooks."
Hayes looked at her handbag.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You carrying identification?"
NATALIE: "I have identification in my bag."
SHERIFF HAYES: "Then show me."
NATALIE: "Can you explain why you're requesting it?"
The sheriff's expression hardened.
He was accustomed to people answering immediately.
He did not like being asked to justify his questions.
SHERIFF HAYES: "Because I'm the sheriff."
NATALIE: "That tells me your position. It doesn't tell me why you need my identification."
For a moment, the restaurant seemed quieter.
The customers had begun paying attention.
Martha stood behind the counter, holding a dish towel.
She looked toward the booth.
Hayes glanced around.
He noticed the customers watching.
His face became more hostile.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You think you're smarter than everybody else?"
NATALIE: "No. I just want to finish my meal."
Hayes looked down at the bowl.
It was still partly full.
He reached toward it.
Natalie noticed the movement.
NATALIE: "What are you doing?"
The sheriff grabbed the bowl of noodles.