ELENA HAYES: "Yes, thank you."
The clerk went to the small kitchen area.
Owen began documenting the handbag and its contents.
He listed the wallet, keys, sunglasses, cosmetics pouch, notebook, and other personal items.
When he reached the phone, he recorded the device's description and the fact that Sheriff Mercer had retained possession of it.
Elena watched carefully.
ELENA HAYES: "Please include the time it was taken at the diner."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "I'll include that."
The clerk returned with a glass of water.
CLERK: "Here you go."
ELENA HAYES: "Thank you."
She took a sip.
The clerk looked uncomfortable.
CLERK: "I didn't know what happened at the diner."
ELENA HAYES: "You are not responsible for what happened."
The clerk nodded.
Across the hallway, Deputy Marcus Hill had heard the conversation.
He approached the desk.
DEPUTY MARCUS HILL: "Is that Judge Hayes?"
Owen nodded.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Yes."
Marcus looked at the identification card.
His expression changed.
DEPUTY MARCUS HILL: "Sheriff brought her in?"
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Yes."
Marcus glanced toward the sheriff's office.
DEPUTY MARCUS HILL: "What's the charge?"
Owen looked at the paperwork.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "That's what we're trying to establish."
Marcus frowned.
DEPUTY MARCUS HILL: "You brought a federal judge into the station without a charge?"
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "I can hear you."
The sheriff appeared in the office doorway.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Everyone has suddenly become an expert."
Nobody responded.
Mercer looked at Elena.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Sit down. We're going to get some answers."
Elena sat in a chair near the booking desk.
ELENA HAYES: "I am still waiting for you to identify the offense."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You will be informed when I decide."
ELENA HAYES: "That is not how this works."
Mercer walked back into his office and closed the door.
Owen continued writing.
The station phone rang.
The clerk answered.
CLERK: "Bellhaven County Sheriff's Office."
She listened.
Her expression changed.
CLERK: "Yes, she's here."
She looked toward Elena.
CLERK: "One moment, please."
The clerk covered the receiver.
CLERK: "Deputy Blake, there's a call from the federal courthouse. They want to confirm Judge Hayes is inside the building."
Owen looked toward the sheriff's office.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Put them through."
The clerk transferred the call.
Owen picked up the receiver.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "This is Deputy Owen Blake."
A calm male voice answered.
MARTIN REEVES: "Deputy, my name is Martin Reeves. I'm calling from federal courthouse security. We need to confirm the location and status of Judge Elena Hayes."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "She's here at the Bellhaven County Sheriff's Office."
MARTIN REEVES: "Is she safe?"
Owen glanced toward Elena.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "She's physically safe at the moment."
MARTIN REEVES: "Is she free to leave?"
Owen hesitated.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "The sheriff is handling that."
MARTIN REEVES: "What is the legal basis for holding her?"
Owen looked down at the paperwork.
There was no specific charge written on the form.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "I don't have a completed charge entry."
MARTIN REEVES: "Then I need you to ask the sheriff to identify the legal basis for the detention."
Owen swallowed.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "I'll pass that along."
MARTIN REEVES: "Please also ensure that her phone, handbag, and identification are preserved. No one should access, alter, or remove any property without proper documentation."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Understood."
The call ended.
Owen placed the receiver down.
He looked at Elena.
ELENA HAYES: "Who was that?"
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Martin Reeves from federal courthouse security. They wanted to confirm you're here."
ELENA HAYES: "Did you tell them about my property?"
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Yes."
ELENA HAYES: "And the detention?"
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "They asked about the legal basis."
Elena nodded.
ELENA HAYES: "Good."
Owen walked toward the sheriff's office.
He knocked once.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "What?"
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "The federal courthouse called."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "I know."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "They want to know why she's being held."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Tell them it's an ongoing investigation."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "They asked for the specific offense."
Mercer stood up.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You are not going to question me in front of my staff."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "I'm not questioning you. I'm asking what to put in the report."
The sheriff walked toward the door.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Write down interference."