MARTHA: "I know."
ROBERT: "I saw what happened. He didn't even ask her anything before he threw that plate."
MARTHA: "He was angry from the moment he walked in."
ROBERT: "Did you get any of it on camera?"
Martha nodded toward the security monitor.
MARTHA: "The whole thing."
Robert looked around.
ROBERT: "Then keep it safe."
MARTHA: "That's what she asked me to do."
ROBERT: "You should make a copy."
Martha considered the suggestion.
She knew the sheriff had influence over several businesses in the county. He had visited the diner before, usually expecting free meals and special treatment. The owner rarely challenged him.
But this time was different.
A woman had been assaulted in front of customers, and the sheriff had taken her away after discovering she was a federal judge.
Martha went into the small office behind the kitchen and checked the security system.
The footage was still there.
She selected the time period covering the incident and began saving a copy to an external drive.
While the file transferred, her phone vibrated.
An unknown number appeared on the screen.
She answered cautiously.
MARTHA: "Hello?"
UNKNOWN CALLER: "This is Martha Ellis?"
MARTHA: "Who's asking?"
UNKNOWN CALLER: "Someone who knows you work at the Kettle & Comb."
Martha looked toward the office door.
MARTHA: "What do you want?"
UNKNOWN CALLER: "I heard there was an incident today."
MARTHA: "Then you already know what happened."
UNKNOWN CALLER: "I heard there might be video."
Martha said nothing.
UNKNOWN CALLER: "You should delete it."
Her stomach tightened.
MARTHA: "Who is this?"
UNKNOWN CALLER: "It doesn't matter. You don't want to get involved in something bigger than you."
MARTHA: "I don't know what you're talking about."
UNKNOWN CALLER: "I'm trying to help you. Delete the footage and forget what you saw."
Martha's fingers tightened around the phone.
MARTHA: "I didn't see anything worth forgetting."
The caller paused.
UNKNOWN CALLER: "Think carefully before you make trouble for yourself."
The call ended.
Martha stared at the screen.
She slowly turned toward the computer.
The footage had finished transferring.
She removed the external drive and placed it inside a small drawer beneath the desk.
For the first time, she realized that the sheriff's actions might be connected to something much larger than a confrontation in a diner.
And somebody already knew she had evidence.
Back at the station, Voss stood inside his office with the blinds partially closed.
He had received another message from Thomas McAllister.
THOMAS MCALLISTER: "Do not discuss Northbridge with anyone. We need to speak in person."
Voss read it twice.
Then he deleted the notification.
He looked through the glass at Amara.
She was speaking quietly with Ethan. The deputy appeared nervous, but he was listening.
Voss opened another drawer and removed a thin folder.
It contained copies of several reports involving traffic stops, property seizures, and complaints against members of his department.
He had kept the folder because he believed the information might become useful if anyone tried to challenge him.
Now it looked like evidence.
He placed the folder back in the drawer and locked it.
Then he picked up the phone and called the station's records clerk.
SHERIFF VOSS: "I need you in my office."
RECORDS CLERK: "Right now?"
SHERIFF VOSS: "Yes. Bring the incident log from today."
RECORDS CLERK: "The diner incident?"
SHERIFF VOSS: "I didn't say that. Just bring the log."
He ended the call.
Outside, Ethan looked toward the office.
He had heard enough to understand that Voss was trying to control the paperwork before anyone outside the department could examine it.
Amara noticed his expression.
AMARA: "What is it?"
DEPUTY COLE: "Nothing."
AMARA: "Deputy, I think we are past pretending nothing is happening."
Ethan glanced toward the sheriff's office.
DEPUTY COLE: "He's going to write the report himself."
AMARA: "Then make sure your own account is preserved."
DEPUTY COLE: "I don't know if I can."
AMARA: "You can tell the truth. Whether you choose to do so is up to you."
Ethan looked at her for a long moment.
Then he quietly placed his clipboard on the desk.
DEPUTY COLE: "I saw him throw the plate."
Amara said nothing.
DEPUTY COLE: "I saw him slap you. I saw him take your phone. I saw him order me to search your bag."
AMARA: "Then those are the facts you need to record."
DEPUTY COLE: "If I write that down, he will know I did it."