One meeting concerned documents connected to an ongoing federal inquiry involving public officials and several financial transactions in Bellhaven County.
The matter had been under review for months.
Elena had repeatedly instructed Daniel to preserve every relevant document, including complaints that appeared incomplete or inconsistent.
He remembered one particular conversation from the previous week.
She had been examining a collection of records involving questionable traffic stops, property seizures, and complaints against members of a local law enforcement department.
Some residents had claimed that their reports were never properly recorded.
Others said they had been discouraged from pursuing complaints after local officials contacted them.
The name of Sheriff Grant Mercer appeared in several documents.
Daniel looked at the screen again.
He now understood that Elena's detention might be connected to something much larger than an unpleasant encounter at a restaurant.
At the Oakwood Diner, Sheriff Mercer was still standing near the entrance.
He had noticed Owen speaking on the phone and was becoming increasingly impatient.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Who did you contact?"
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "The federal courthouse directory. They're checking her identification."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You didn't need to involve them."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "She's a federal judge, Sheriff. We need to verify her identity."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "I already saw the identification."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Then there's no reason not to confirm it."
Mercer looked at him with irritation.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You seem very interested in protecting this woman."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "I'm interested in handling the situation correctly."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You should be interested in following instructions."
Owen lowered his voice.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "I am following procedure."
The sheriff stepped closer.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Don't forget who your supervisor is."
Owen did not respond.
He looked toward Elena.
She was still sitting in the red booth, holding a napkin against her cheek. The food stains on her cream blouse were clearly visible.
Her handbag remained on the table.
Her phone was now in the sheriff's possession.
Elena looked toward Owen.
ELENA HAYES: "Deputy, did you complete the record of the items taken from my handbag?"
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "Not yet, Judge."
ELENA HAYES: "Then please make sure every item is listed."
Owen nodded.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You don't need to give him instructions."
ELENA HAYES: "I am asking him to document what he has done."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "This is my investigation."
ELENA HAYES: "You still haven't identified the investigation."
Mercer looked away.
He had expected the discovery of Elena's identity to make her more cautious. Instead, she continued asking the same questions.
He walked toward the counter and picked up her phone.
The screen illuminated.
Several missed calls appeared.
Daniel Price had called repeatedly.
Mercer turned the phone over in his hand.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "Looks like somebody's worried about you."
ELENA HAYES: "Return my phone."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "I'll decide when."
ELENA HAYES: "You have no reason to continue holding it."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "I'm preserving evidence."
ELENA HAYES: "What evidence?"
The sheriff did not answer.
Elena watched him carefully.
She knew that taking a person's phone could prevent them from contacting colleagues, family members, or legal representatives. It could also give an official an opportunity to inspect private communications without proper authority.
She wanted the seizure documented.
ELENA HAYES: "Deputy Blake, please record the time my phone was taken and the person who currently possesses it."
Owen looked at the sheriff.
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "I'll record it."
Mercer turned sharply.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "You don't need to write down every little thing."
DEPUTY OWEN BLAKE: "It's part of the property record."
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "I know how property records work."
Owen opened his notepad.
He wrote down the time and the description of the device.
Elena watched him finish.
ELENA HAYES: "Thank you."
Mercer moved toward the front windows.
Outside, a patrol vehicle was parked near the entrance. He could see the reflection of the sheriff's badge on the glass.
He had spent years believing that his authority was unquestioned.
Now he was beginning to understand that the woman sitting behind him might have the resources to expose everything he had tried to keep hidden.
He needed to know why she was in Bellhaven.
He returned to her table.
SHERIFF GRANT MERCER: "What were you looking for in this county?"