Ethan nodded, but his expression remained uncertain.
Voss walked toward the entrance.
Special Agent Rebecca Shaw stood in the reception area with another investigator. She was in her early forties, dressed in a dark business suit, with her credentials visible.
She held a folder and a small digital recording device.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Sheriff Voss?"
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "That's me."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "I'm Special Agent Rebecca Shaw. We need to establish the status of Judge Amara Whitlock."
Voss folded his arms.
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "She's being held for questioning."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Under what authority?"
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "We received a report concerning a possible theft suspect."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "What was stolen?"
Voss hesitated.
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "We are still investigating."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "What evidence connects Judge Whitlock to a theft?"
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "She matched a description."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Was that description documented before the detention?"
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "We have procedures for that."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Then I assume you can provide the report."
Voss did not answer.
Rebecca opened her folder.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "We are also here to ensure that all records and communications connected to this incident are preserved. That includes booking records, dispatch recordings, surveillance footage, property logs, and any recordings made by personnel."
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "You don't control this department."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "I'm not here to control your department. I'm here to preserve evidence relevant to an ongoing federal investigation."
The sheriff's expression tightened.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Where is Judge Whitlock?"
Voss looked toward the booking area.
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "Back there."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Take me to her."
***
When Rebecca entered the booking room, Amara turned toward the doorway.
For the first time since the diner, her expression softened slightly.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Your Honor."
AMARA WHITLOCK: "Agent Shaw."
Rebecca looked at the handcuffs.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Are you injured?"
AMARA WHITLOCK: "No serious injury. I was struck with a plate of food at the diner, then detained without a clear explanation."
Rebecca glanced at the food stains on her jacket.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Has anyone searched your personal belongings?"
AMARA WHITLOCK: "My wallet was opened. My phone was taken from the diner and placed in a property bag."
Rebecca turned toward Voss.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Who authorized the search of her wallet?"
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "I instructed my deputy to identify the property."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "And the phone?"
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "It was secured as part of the arrest."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Was a warrant obtained?"
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "No."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Was consent obtained?"
Voss said nothing.
Rebecca turned toward Ethan.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Deputy, did Judge Whitlock consent to a search of her phone?"
DEPUTY ETHAN COLE: "No, ma'am."
Voss looked sharply at him.
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "Watch what you say."
Rebecca did not take her eyes off Ethan.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Thank you. We will need a complete account of what happened."
She then looked at the booking officer.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Please preserve the original booking entry and any changes made after the arrest."
BOOKING OFFICER: "Yes, ma'am."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Do not overwrite, delete, or modify anything. We will document the records as they currently exist."
Voss stepped forward.
SHERIFF DALTON VOSS: "You are treating this like a criminal investigation."
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "It is an evidence-preservation operation connected to an active investigation. Your department has already been notified."
She turned toward Amara.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Your Honor, we can arrange for the cuffs to be removed."
Amara looked at Voss.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "I want the removal documented, including the time and the identity of the person who authorized it."
Rebecca nodded.
SPECIAL AGENT REBECCA SHAW: "Agreed."
She directed the deputy to unlock the cuffs.
Ethan stepped forward.
His hands were steady, but his face showed how uncomfortable he felt.
The cuffs opened.
Amara slowly brought her arms forward and rubbed her wrists.
For a moment, she looked at the marks left by the metal.
Then she adjusted her jacket.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "Thank you, Deputy."
Ethan nodded.
DEPUTY ETHAN COLE: "Yes, Your Honor."
Voss watched the exchange with an expression that was difficult to read.
He had wanted Amara to leave the diner frightened and powerless.
Instead, federal investigators were now standing inside his own department, asking questions he could not easily dismiss.
***
Rebecca arranged for Amara to move to a private interview room.
The sheriff was instructed to remain available while the federal team documented the circumstances of the detention.
Daniel Price called shortly afterward.
Rebecca placed the call on speaker only after Amara agreed.
DANIEL PRICE: "Your Honor?"
AMARA WHITLOCK: "I'm here, Daniel."
DANIEL PRICE: "Thank goodness. We've been trying to reach you for nearly an hour."
AMARA WHITLOCK: "I understand. I'm safe now."
DANIEL PRICE: "What happened?"