VANCE: "You'll have one."
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: "And make sure the relevant records are preserved."
Vance's fingers tightened around the receiver.
VANCE: "Of course."
The call ended.
He remained still for a moment.
The county administrator had not sounded particularly concerned, but the request for preserved records irritated him.
He opened the incident report again.
Then he noticed a new message in the department's internal system.
It was a request from the county oversight office for the original incident documentation and any available video recordings.
Vance stared at the screen.
He had not expected the matter to reach the oversight office so quickly.
He picked up the phone and called the records supervisor.
VANCE: "Linda, I need to know why the oversight office is asking for footage."
LINDA: "I don't know, Sheriff."
VANCE: "Did you send them anything?"
LINDA: "No."
VANCE: "Did anyone contact them?"
LINDA: "Not that I'm aware of."
Vance leaned forward.
VANCE: "Then find out who made the request."
LINDA: "It's an official request, Sheriff."
VANCE: "I can read that."
LINDA: "The system says the records need to be preserved."
VANCE: "I know what it says."
Linda hesitated.
LINDA: "Would you like me to prepare the footage?"
Vance looked toward the holding corridor.
VANCE: "Not yet. I'll handle it."
He ended the call.
For several seconds, he stared at the monitor.
Then he opened the camera management system.
The station had cameras in the public corridor, the booking area, the interview rooms, and the holding entrance. Some were old, but the recordings were automatically stored on the department server.
Vance knew that the footage from the interview room would show him grabbing Walter by the collar.
It would also show the deputy's hands around the veteran's throat.
He had not considered that detail when he ordered Walter into the building.
Now he was considering it very carefully.
A knock interrupted him.
DEPUTY COLE: "Sheriff?"
VANCE: "What?"
DEPUTY COLE: "There's a call from the front desk."
VANCE: "Who?"
DEPUTY COLE: "Someone asking about Walter."
Vance stood.
VANCE: "Who is it?"
Cole looked uncertain.
DEPUTY COLE: "They said they're contacting the department on behalf of his family."
Vance walked toward the door.
VANCE: "Put the call through."
Cole nodded and stepped away.
Vance returned to his desk and picked up the receiver.
VANCE: "Sheriff Hollister."
A professional voice answered.
CALLER: "Sheriff, I'm calling regarding Mr. Walter, currently being held at your station."
VANCE: "Who am I speaking with?"
CALLER: "I'm calling through the appropriate legal channel. We understand that Mr. Walter is injured and has not yet received a confirmed medical assessment."
Vance's jaw tightened.
VANCE: "He's being processed according to department procedure."
CALLER: "Then you should have no difficulty confirming his condition and preserving all relevant records."
VANCE: "I don't need outside instructions on how to run my station."
CALLER: "This is not an instruction about how to run your station. It's a request to ensure that an injured civilian receives appropriate care and that the incident is documented accurately."
Vance looked toward the closed office door.
VANCE: "Who requested this?"
CALLER: "His family has asked that the matter be handled properly."
VANCE: "His daughter?"
There was a brief pause.
CALLER: "Yes."
Vance slowly leaned back.
VANCE: "And who exactly is she?"
CALLER: "You will receive the relevant information through the proper channels."
Vance's expression darkened.
VANCE: "I don't appreciate people making demands without identifying themselves."
CALLER: "Sheriff, nobody is asking you to do anything unusual. We are asking you to provide medical attention, preserve the footage, and avoid altering the incident record."
The call ended shortly afterward.
Vance remained seated.
He looked at the telephone as though it had personally insulted him.
Then he turned toward the door.
VANCE: "COLE!"
The deputy entered almost immediately.
DEPUTY COLE: "Yes, Sheriff?"
VANCE: "I want to know everything about that man. His daughter, his military service, where he lives, who he knows. Everything."
DEPUTY COLE: "I'll check."
VANCE: "And I want to know why the county oversight office is suddenly interested in my paperwork."
Cole nodded.
Vance pointed toward the corridor.
VANCE: "Also, get him out of that cell and bring him back to the interview room."
DEPUTY COLE: "Why?"
Vance stared at him.
VANCE: "Because I said so."
Cole left.
The sheriff remained behind his desk, looking at the computer screen.
The incident was no longer as simple as he had imagined.
The old man had made one phone call, and suddenly people outside the department were asking questions.
Vance still believed he could control the situation.
But he was beginning to understand that Walter's daughter might not be an ordinary local resident.
And if that was true, he needed to find out exactly who she was before the next call came through.
In the holding area, Walter heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
The cell door opened.
Deputy Cole stood outside.
DEPUTY COLE: "Come on. The sheriff wants to see you."
Walter slowly stood.
WALTER: "Have you arranged medical attention?"
DEPUTY COLE: "Not yet."
Walter looked at him.
WALTER: "Then perhaps we should do that first."