DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Interference with what?"
Mercer stared at him.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You know what I mean."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "I need a specific description."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Then figure it out."
Owen stood still.
He was beginning to understand that the sheriff had no clear explanation for the detention.
The clerk watched them from the front desk.
Elena heard the exchange.
ELENA HAYES: "Deputy Blake, do not write an offense that has not been established."
Mercer turned toward her.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You are not in charge of this office."
ELENA HAYES: "I am not asking to be. I am asking you to follow the law."
The sheriff's face tightened.
Before he could respond, the station phone rang again.
The clerk answered.
CLERK: "Bellhaven County Sheriff's Office."
She listened for a moment.
Then she stood up.
CLERK: "Sheriff, there's another call for you."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Who is it?"
CLERK: "They said they're calling from the federal investigative office."
Mercer stopped moving.
He looked toward Elena.
Then toward Owen.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "What exactly did they say?"
CLERK: "They asked to speak with whoever is responsible for Judge Hayes's detention."
The room became silent.
Owen looked down at his report.
Elena remained seated, calm and composed.
Mercer slowly walked toward the phone.
He picked up the receiver.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "This is Sheriff Grant Mercer."
A professional voice answered.
FEDERAL INVESTIGATOR: "Sheriff, this is Special Agent Rebecca Shaw. We need to discuss the circumstances surrounding Judge Elena Hayes's detention."
Mercer tightened his grip on the phone.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "What is this about?"
AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "We have received information that Judge Hayes was assaulted at the Oakwood Diner and transported to your office. I need to confirm her current condition and the status of her property."
Mercer looked toward Elena.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "She's here."
AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Is she free to leave?"
The sheriff hesitated.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "We're still processing the situation."
AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "What is the legal basis for the detention?"
Mercer did not answer.
AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Sheriff, are you there?"
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "I said we're handling it."
AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "I need a specific answer."
Mercer looked at the employees standing around him.
For the first time, he realized that the entire station was listening.
And he knew that whatever he said next could become part of the official record.
For several seconds, Sheriff Grant Mercer did not answer.
The telephone remained pressed against his ear, but his eyes had shifted toward the observation window at the end of the hallway. Behind the glass, Deputy Owen Blake stood motionless. Deputy Marcus Hill was beside him, watching the sheriff with an expression that suggested he already knew the situation had moved beyond anything they could control.
Across the room, Elena Hayes sat in the holding area.
Her cream blouse was stained with food. A small red mark had appeared along her cheek where Mercer had struck her. Her hair was disheveled, but she had refused the offer of a towel. She had also refused to lower her eyes.
She simply waited.
On the telephone, Special Agent Rebecca Shaw repeated her question.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Sheriff Mercer, I asked whether Judge Hayes is free to leave."
Mercer cleared his throat.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "She's being held while we sort out a situation."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "What situation?"
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "There was a disturbance at a local business. We received a report, and she's involved."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "What specific offense is she suspected of committing?"
Mercer glanced toward the desk where a half-completed incident report lay beneath a stack of paperwork.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Interference."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Interference with what?"
He did not answer.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Who reported the alleged offense?"
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "We're still documenting everything."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Then let me make this simple. Do not question Judge Hayes further. Do not move her. Do not alter, delete, or dispose of any evidence. Our team is on the way."
Mercer tightened his grip on the receiver.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You can't just walk into my station and start giving orders."