Voss forced a smile.
“There's been a misunderstanding.”
“Perhaps. We'll find out.”
He turned toward the holding area.
“Follow me.”
As they walked down the corridor, I rose from the bench.
The sheriff stopped outside the cell and fumbled with the keys.
His hands were not steady.
Price looked through the bars at me.
“Judge Whitlock?”
“Yes.”
“I'm Elena Price with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This is Thomas Bell. Are you injured?”
“My wrists and right shoulder are painful. I would like the injuries documented.”
“Of course.”
“Has anyone preserved the recording from the diner?”
Price glanced at Voss.
“We're working to secure it.”
“Please make sure the original is preserved, along with any copies, and that the diner staff are not pressured or retaliated against.”
“We'll address that.”
The sheriff finally opened the cell.
I stepped into the corridor.
Price looked at my wrists, then at Voss.
“Were medical personnel called?”
“No,” he said.
“Was she offered medical attention?”
“We were still processing her.”
Price turned back to me.
“Would you like to be examined?”
“Yes.”
“We'll arrange that.”
Bell took out a small notebook.
“Judge, before we go further, I want to establish the basic timeline. When were you detained?”
“Approximately 1:20 p.m., at the Pine Street Diner.”
“Were you told why?”
“The sheriff stated that I matched a description of a suspect in an armed theft. He did not provide a case number or identify a witness who had recognized me.”
“Did you resist?”
“No.”
Voss interrupted.
“She was argumentative.”
Price turned to him.
“Sheriff, I will give you an opportunity to provide your account. Please do not interrupt the judge.”
He fell silent.
I continued.
“He seized my wrist, forced my arms behind my back, applied handcuffs, and pulled me from the booth. I repeatedly asked him to explain the basis for the detention. He told me that he controlled what happened in his county and that nobody would come to save me.”
Price wrote something down.
“Did he tell you that you were under arrest?”
“He announced several charges at the booking desk. Before that, he referred to me as a suspect.”
“Were you allowed to contact anyone?”
“No.”
“Were you informed of the basis for denying a call?”
“The sheriff said I would get a call when he was ready.”
Bell exchanged a glance with Price.
“Did he take your belongings?”
“Yes. My purse, wallet, phone, keys, and notebook.”
“Were you asked to consent to a search?”
“No.”
Voss stepped forward.
“We secured the property for evidence.”
Price looked at him.
“Evidence of what?”
“The robbery.”
“Which robbery?”
“The one we're investigating.”
“Where is the incident report?”
“It hasn't been finalized.”
“Where is the dispatch record?”
“The system may have a delay.”
“Where is the alleged victim?”
“We're trying to locate them.”
Price closed her folder.
“Then we have a number of questions to answer.”
She turned toward the desk officer.
“Please preserve all booking records, property logs, dispatch entries, access logs, and available video footage relating to this arrest. Do not alter, overwrite, delete, or supplement any existing record. If there are retention procedures that could result in automatic deletion, notify us immediately.”
The desk officer nodded.
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Who has access to the records system?”
“Several supervisors and authorized staff.”
“List them.”
He hesitated.
Voss snapped, “You don't need to give them internal access information.”
Price did not raise her voice.
“Sheriff, do not interfere with the preservation of evidence.”
“This is my office.”
“And these are records that may be relevant to a criminal investigation.”
For a moment, the two stared at one another.
Then the sheriff looked away.
Price turned back to me.
“Judge, we would like to speak with you in a private room. We also need to arrange for the return of your personal property, subject to any lawful evidentiary procedures.”
“That is acceptable, provided the handling of my property is documented.”
“Agreed.”
As we moved toward the interview room, I glanced back at Deputy Reed.
He stood near the booking desk, pale but upright.
Our eyes met.
I did not nod to him or signal approval. I did not want him to think that he had to perform for me.
But he had made a choice.
Now the record would show whether he stood by it.
The interview room was small and windowless. Price offered me a chair and arranged for a medical professional to examine my wrists and shoulder before questioning continued.
The examination was brief but thorough. The clinician documented the bruising and tenderness, photographed the visible marks with my consent, and asked whether I wanted further treatment.
I declined additional treatment for the moment, though I requested a copy of the documentation.
Price waited until the examination was complete before returning.
“Judge Whitlock, I want to make clear that we are not asking you to direct our investigation. We need your account as a witness and as the person who was detained. Any questions involving your judicial responsibilities will be handled through appropriate channels.”
“Understood.”
“We also need to clarify the nature of your visit to Randolph County.”
“I came to the area after receiving information about possible misconduct involving local law enforcement. I was not conducting an independent criminal investigation. I intended to meet with appropriate officials and review information through authorized channels.”
“Did you identify yourself as a judge to Sheriff Voss?”
“I provided my name. When he asked about my occupation during booking, I stated that I was a United States District Judge. He laughed and refused to verify my identity.”
Price wrote that down.
“Did you have any interaction with the sheriff before he approached your booth?”
“No.”
“Did you know him personally?”
“No.”
“Did you have a weapon?”
“No.”
“Did you threaten him?”
“No.”
“Did you strike him?”
“No.”
She paused.
“Did he claim that you assaulted him?”
“Yes. He announced that charge during booking.”
Price exchanged a glance with Bell.
“We will need to obtain statements from the people who were present in the diner.”
“I encourage you to do so independently. The waitress and other customers should be interviewed without pressure from the sheriff's office.”