The sound echoed through the diner.
Amara's head turned sharply to the side.
Her braids moved with the impact, and her hand instinctively rose toward her cheek.
For a moment, she remained completely still.
Her eyes widened.
She looked almost unable to believe that a uniformed officer had just struck her in front of dozens of witnesses.
Ryan took an involuntary step forward.
RYAN COLE: "Sheriff!"
Dalton turned toward him.
DALTON VOSS: "What?"
Ryan looked at Amara, then back at his superior.
RYAN COLE: "You didn't have to do that."
DALTON VOSS: "I know how to handle a suspect."
Amara slowly lowered her hand from her cheek.
Her breathing remained controlled, but her expression had become noticeably more serious.
AMARA: "You just assaulted me."
DALTON VOSS: "You should have cooperated."
AMARA: "I was sitting here drinking tea when you walked over and attacked me."
DALTON VOSS: "You're under arrest. That's all you need to know."
Amara looked at Ryan.
AMARA: "Deputy, did you see what happened?"
Ryan hesitated.
He knew exactly what he had witnessed.
He had seen Dalton take the drink from her hand.
He had seen the liquid thrown into her face.
And he had just watched the sheriff strike a woman who had not physically attacked anyone.
RYAN COLE: "I saw what happened."
Dalton immediately turned toward him.
DALTON VOSS: "Ryan, don't start."
The deputy closed his mouth.
Amara understood the situation.
The young man was afraid of his superior.
But fear did not change what had happened.
She carefully adjusted the collar of her wet blazer and returned her attention to Dalton.
AMARA: "I want your full name and badge number."
DALTON VOSS: "You don't need either one."
AMARA: "I am entitled to know who is detaining me."
DALTON VOSS: "You're entitled to do what I tell you until I decide otherwise."
The statement made Ryan look uncomfortable.
Several customers lowered their eyes again.
At the counter, Martha quietly reached for her own phone.
She wanted to document what was happening, but she was afraid Dalton would notice.
Amara glanced briefly around the room.
She saw the frightened customers.
She saw the waitress standing near the counter.
She saw Ryan looking increasingly uncertain.
And she saw Dalton, who seemed completely convinced that his uniform made him untouchable.
Amara knew something about this county that Dalton did not.
For months, she had reviewed confidential reports concerning police misconduct, questionable roadside seizures, missing property, and suspicious injuries suffered by people held inside the county jail.
The documents had been collected by investigators from the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
She had not come to Randolph County merely to pass through.
She had wanted to understand the community before making a series of important judicial decisions.
She wanted to see the courthouse.
She wanted to speak with people.
She wanted to observe how local law enforcement operated when they did not know they were being watched.
Now she was experiencing that system firsthand.
And the man responsible for the department's conduct was standing directly in front of her.
DALTON VOSS: "Ryan, check her belongings."
Ryan looked toward the black handbag beside the booth.
RYAN COLE: "Her belongings?"
DALTON VOSS: "You heard me. Search the bag."
AMARA: "You will need to explain the legal basis for taking my personal property."
DALTON VOSS: "I don't need another lecture."
Amara looked at him without responding.
Ryan slowly approached the table.
He reached for the handbag, but paused for a moment.
RYAN COLE: "Ma'am, is there anything dangerous inside?"
AMARA: "No. There are personal documents, my phone, and my wallet."
DALTON VOSS: "Just open it."
Ryan unzipped the bag.
Inside were several neatly arranged personal items, a small notebook, a phone, a set of keys, and a black leather wallet.
The deputy carefully moved the items aside.
Dalton stood over him, watching impatiently.
DALTON VOSS: "What are you waiting for?"
RYAN COLE: "I'm checking it."
Amara remained beside the booth.
Her cheek was still slightly red, and droplets of milk tea continued to fall from the ends of her braids.
Despite the humiliation, she did not look away from the officers.
AMARA: "Make sure you document everything you take."
DALTON VOSS: "You don't tell us how to do our job."
AMARA: "Then do it properly."