Dalton's eyes moved toward the documents.
He recognized the department's name on one of the pages.
There were references to several incidents.
Some involved traffic stops.
Others involved people who had been detained and released without clear documentation.
One section referred to complaints concerning missing personal property.
Another concerned allegations that certain arrest reports had been modified after the original incidents.
Dalton looked increasingly uncomfortable.
DALTON VOSS: "Those are internal matters."
DANIEL MERCER: "Some of them may involve federal violations."
DALTON VOSS: "You can't prove that."
DANIEL MERCER: "That is why the investigation is continuing."
Amara stood quietly beside Daniel.
She had reviewed portions of the material herself, but she had never intended to discuss confidential investigative details inside a roadside diner.
The incident had simply made it impossible to ignore what had happened.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "Sheriff, you have spent the last several minutes trying to convince everyone that your authority gives you the right to act without explanation."
Dalton looked at her.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "But authority is not the same as immunity."
The sheriff said nothing.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "A badge is supposed to represent responsibility. It is not a personal license to intimidate people who cannot defend themselves."
Daniel closed the folder.
DANIEL MERCER: "Judge Whitlock, I believe we have enough information to proceed with the next steps."
Amara nodded.
Before leaving, she turned toward Martha.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "Thank you for speaking up."
Martha looked embarrassed.
MARTHA: "I was scared."
AMARA WHITLOCK: "I understand."
MARTHA: "I thought he might come after me if I said anything."
Amara gently touched her arm.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "You shouldn't have to choose between telling the truth and keeping your job."
Martha's eyes filled with tears.
MARTHA: "I hope someone finally does something about this."
AMARA WHITLOCK: "That is exactly what we're trying to make possible."
Daniel picked up his briefcase.
Amara collected her handbag and phone.
The two of them walked toward the entrance.
Ryan remained near the table.
He watched them leave, then looked at the sheriff.
DALTON VOSS: "You made me look like an idiot."
RYAN COLE: "I told the truth."
DALTON VOSS: "You could have supported your department."
RYAN COLE: "I couldn't say something that didn't happen."
Dalton stepped closer.
DALTON VOSS: "You should remember who gave you this job."
Ryan looked at him.
For a moment, he seemed tempted to say something more.
But he eventually remained silent.
Outside, Daniel opened the passenger door of the government sedan.
Amara paused before getting inside.
She looked back through the window at the diner.
Several customers were still watching.
Martha stood behind the counter.
The older man near the window raised his hand slightly.
Amara returned the gesture.
Then she entered the vehicle.
Daniel got behind the wheel.
DANIEL MERCER: "Are you all right?"
Amara looked out the window.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "Physically, I'll be fine."
DANIEL MERCER: "And the rest?"
Amara took a slow breath.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "I want to know how many people have experienced something similar and never had anyone listen."
Daniel nodded.
DANIEL MERCER: "We've been trying to answer that question for months."
AMARA WHITLOCK: "Then let's stop treating each complaint as an isolated incident."
DANIEL MERCER: "That's what the team has been working toward."
Amara looked down at her phone.
Several messages had arrived while she was inside the diner.
One was from her judicial assistant.
Another was from an investigator who had been waiting for an update.
She opened the message.
It contained a brief summary of a newly obtained document.
The document was connected to a series of property seizures conducted by officers in Randolph County.
Several names appeared.
One of them belonged to an officer who had been mentioned in earlier complaints.
Amara read the information carefully.
Then she turned the screen toward Daniel.
AMARA WHITLOCK: "This needs to be compared with the records from the earlier cases."
Daniel glanced at the screen.
DANIEL MERCER: "I agree."
AMARA WHITLOCK: "And the restaurant incident should be added to the timeline."
DANIEL MERCER: "It will be."
The sedan pulled away from the diner.
Behind them, the Kettle & Comb returned to its ordinary afternoon rhythm, although nobody inside could forget what they had witnessed.
Dalton remained standing near the booth.
The empty plastic cup was still on the table.