“Now that you've found my identification, perhaps you'd like to explain why you thought it was appropriate to assault a federal judge in front of a room full of witnesses.”
Hayes looked up sharply.
VICTOR HAYES:
“You're a judge?”
NATALIE BROOKS:
“That's what the badge says.”
VICTOR HAYES:
“You should have told me that from the beginning.”
Natalie slowly reached for a napkin and wiped the remaining broth from her cheek.
NATALIE BROOKS:
“I shouldn't have to announce my position to be treated like a human being.”
The words landed harder than Hayes expected.
Across the diner, Martha Collins stood behind the counter with one hand pressed against her mouth. Walter Bennett lowered his coffee cup. Neither of them had imagined that the quiet woman in the white blazer would turn out to hold such an important position.
Ethan carefully took a step away from the sheriff.
ETHAN MILLER:
“Sheriff, we should probably stop this search until we understand what's happening.”
VICTOR HAYES:
“Don't tell me how to do my job.”
ETHAN MILLER:
“I'm just saying we need to be careful.”
VICTOR HAYES:
“I know exactly what I'm doing.”
But his voice no longer carried the confidence it had when he first approached Natalie's table.
He glanced toward the front windows, then toward the customers. Several people were staring at him. One man had already taken out his phone.
Hayes pointed toward him.
VICTOR HAYES:
“Put that phone away.”
WALTER BENNETT:
“I'm not doing anything wrong.”
VICTOR HAYES:
“I said put it away.”
Walter held the phone in place.
WALTER BENNETT:
“Everyone in here saw what happened. You threw her food at her, and then you hit her.”
Hayes turned toward him.
VICTOR HAYES:
“You want to get involved in police business?”
WALTER BENNETT:
“I was sitting right here. I saw everything.”
Natalie watched the exchange carefully. She understood that the sheriff was attempting to regain control of the room. His authority had been challenged, and he was now looking for someone else to intimidate.
NATALIE BROOKS:
“Sheriff Hayes, I suggest you stop threatening the witnesses.”
Hayes turned back to her.
VICTOR HAYES:
“You don't know anything about this county.”
NATALIE BROOKS:
“Then perhaps you should explain it to me.”
VICTOR HAYES:
“This is Randolph County. We handle our own problems here.”
NATALIE BROOKS:
“That's an interesting statement from someone who has just discovered that his actions may fall under federal jurisdiction.”
The sheriff's jaw tightened.
He handed the badge back to Ethan, who placed it carefully beside the open wallet.
VICTOR HAYES:
“I was responding to a suspicious person report. That's all.”
NATALIE BROOKS:
“What suspicious person?”
VICTOR HAYES:
“We received information about someone matching your description.”
NATALIE BROOKS:
“From whom?”
VICTOR HAYES:
“That information is part of an ongoing investigation.”
NATALIE BROOKS:
“Then you should have no difficulty documenting it.”
Hayes looked away.
Natalie noticed the movement. It was small, almost imperceptible, but she had spent years observing people who tried to conceal information through carefully chosen words and gestures.
She knew the difference between a person who was certain of their authority and someone who was afraid of losing it.
Hayes was beginning to look like the second.
ETHAN MILLER:
“Sheriff, do we have an actual report number?”
VICTOR HAYES:
“Not right now.”
ETHAN MILLER:
“Was the call dispatched?”
VICTOR HAYES:
“Brooks, I told you to stop asking questions.”
Natalie looked directly at Ethan.
NATALIE BROOKS:
“Deputy, I want you to remember exactly what happened here. I have not resisted you. I have not threatened anyone. I was eating lunch when your sheriff approached me.”
Ethan nodded slowly.
ETHAN MILLER:
“Yes, ma'am.”
VICTOR HAYES:
“Don't call her ma'am like she's your supervisor.”
ETHAN MILLER:
“I'm showing respect, sir.”
Hayes stepped closer to him.
VICTOR HAYES:
“You're showing disrespect to me.”
The waitress, Martha Collins, finally found the courage to speak.
MARTHA COLLINS:
“Sheriff, she was just having lunch. I served her myself. She didn't cause any trouble.”
Hayes swung his head toward the counter.
VICTOR HAYES:
“Did I ask you?”
MARTHA COLLINS:
“No, sir. But I saw what happened.”
VICTOR HAYES:
“Then you should stay out of it.”
Martha swallowed nervously, but she did not retreat.
MARTHA COLLINS:
“I can't pretend I didn't see it.”
Natalie gave her a brief, appreciative look.
NATALIE BROOKS:
“Thank you, Martha.”
Hayes noticed the exchange and became visibly more agitated.
VICTOR HAYES: