"We need to clarify a few things."
Maya looked at him calmly.
"I've been asking to clarify things since the traffic stop."
Daniel ignored the remark.
"I understand someone from the Department of Defense called."
"That is correct."
"Why didn't you tell us who you were?"
Maya paused.
"I was not asked for my military position during the traffic stop. I was asked for my driver's license and registration. I provided both."
Daniel folded his arms.
"You could have avoided all this."
Maya looked directly at him.
"By what? Presenting my military credentials during a routine traffic stop?"
Daniel did not answer.
Maya continued.
"My identity does not change the rules governing your authority."
The sheriff's jaw tightened.
"I was doing my job."
"Then the recordings should establish exactly how you did it."
For a moment, Daniel stared at her.
He had expected anger.
He had expected her to use her military rank as leverage.
Instead, she was asking for the evidence to speak for itself.
That made the situation considerably more difficult.
Daniel looked toward the camera mounted in the corner.
Then back at Maya.
"Someone will speak with you."
Maya nodded.
"I will be available."
The sheriff turned and walked away.
When he reached the end of the corridor, he stopped briefly.
He could hear the sound of the heavy cell door closing behind him.
He had wanted the woman to understand that he was in charge.
But he was beginning to understand that the people now asking questions were not going to accept his authority as an answer.
At 4:41 p.m., the main telephone rang again.
Claire answered immediately.
"Oakridge County Sheriff's Office."
A different voice came through the receiver.
This time, it was a woman from the military legal office.
She introduced herself and requested confirmation that Maya Bennett remained physically safe and had access to medical assistance if required.
Claire checked the detention log.
"She is currently in cell four. She appears physically stable."
The caller asked whether the sheriff's department had preserved the booking footage and body-camera recordings.
Claire confirmed that the sheriff had been instructed to preserve all relevant material.
The woman then asked to speak with Daniel Cross.
Claire looked toward the corridor.
"He is available. I'll transfer you."
Daniel answered in his office.
"This is Sheriff Cross."
The caller introduced herself.
"Counsel Sarah Mitchell, United States Army legal office. I'm calling regarding Major General Maya Bennett."
Daniel sat down.
"Yes. I understand."
MITCHELL: "I need confirmation of her current status, the charges being considered, and the steps your department has taken to preserve evidence."
Daniel looked at the arrest report.
"The matter is under review."
MITCHELL: "Has she been formally charged?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Not yet."
MITCHELL: "Has she been provided an opportunity to contact counsel?"
"We are processing her."
MITCHELL: "Sheriff, I am asking a specific question."
Daniel shifted in his chair.
"She has requested an attorney."
"Has the request been documented?"
"Yes."
"Has she been allowed to make a telephone call?"
Daniel glanced toward the desk.
"We're reviewing the procedure."
There was a short pause.
MITCHELL: "Please ensure that her rights are respected and that no further questioning takes place without appropriate legal arrangements."
Daniel responded with a brief acknowledgment.
The call ended.
He placed the telephone down.
For several seconds, he remained motionless.
Two separate calls.
One from a colonel at the Pentagon.
Another from a military attorney.
And both had asked essentially the same questions.
What was the legal basis for the detention?
Had Maya been given access to counsel?
Were the recordings preserved?
Daniel opened the arrest report again.
The more he read it, the more he noticed the gaps.
There was no clear description of a dangerous driving maneuver.
There was no documented threat.
There was no physical injury.
There was only the statement that Maya had failed to cooperate and had created a disturbance.
He looked at the signature line.
Then he looked at the clock.
4:47 p.m.
The sheriff picked up his phone again.
This time, he called the county attorney's personal number.
The call connected.
"Daniel Cross. I need you to come to the office."
The attorney asked what had happened.
Daniel looked through the glass panel in his office door.
Beyond it, Claire was reviewing the dispatch records.
Jared was standing near the booking counter with his paperwork.
And somewhere down the corridor, Maya Bennett was sitting inside a locked cell.
Daniel lowered his voice.