MAN IN SUIT: "We need to establish the complete timeline. We also need to know whether any additional officers were involved, whether the sheriff's vehicle cameras were operating, and whether the diner has security footage."
Martha immediately nodded.
MARTHA: "We have cameras above the entrance and near the counter."
MAN IN SUIT: "Good. Please make sure the recordings are preserved."
Hayes looked toward the ceiling.
His eyes briefly settled on the small security camera above the counter.
He had not paid attention to it when he entered.
Now he was looking at it differently.
He turned toward Jamal.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You planned this?"
Jamal frowned.
JAMAL: "Planned what?"
SHERIFF HAYES: "Coming into my county and setting me up."
JAMAL: "I came here to eat."
SHERIFF HAYES: "You expect me to believe all this is a coincidence?"
JAMAL: "I didn't know you existed before you walked over to my table."
The man in the suit stepped between them.
MAN IN SUIT: "Sheriff, this conversation is over for now."
Hayes looked as though he wanted to argue.
But the presence of additional officers and witnesses made it increasingly difficult for him to dominate the room.
The man in the suit turned toward Jamal.
MAN IN SUIT: "Judge Carter, we should get you checked by medical personnel."
JAMAL: "I agree."
MAN IN SUIT: "And your property should be returned."
He looked at Hayes.
MAN IN SUIT: "The wallet, please."
The sheriff stared at the wallet.
For a moment, it seemed he might refuse.
Then he slowly handed it to the man in the suit.
The man checked that the badge was still inside before returning the wallet to Jamal.
Jamal accepted it.
JAMAL: "Thank you."
He placed the wallet inside his bag.
The sheriff watched every movement.
His earlier confidence had been replaced by an expression of resentment and uncertainty.
But Jamal was not finished.
He looked at the man in the suit.
JAMAL: "There's something else."
MAN IN SUIT: "Go ahead."
JAMAL: "I want to know whether this county has received previous complaints involving Sheriff Hayes."
The man did not answer immediately.
He looked toward the sheriff, then back at Jamal.
MAN IN SUIT: "That is something we can examine through the appropriate channels."
JAMAL: "I hope you do."
The sheriff let out a short laugh.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You think one incident is going to change this county?"
Jamal looked at him.
JAMAL: "One incident is enough to reveal a problem. It doesn't mean the problem started today."
Hayes's expression hardened.
JAMAL: "How many people have you treated this way because you thought they couldn't challenge you?"
The sheriff remained silent.
JAMAL: "How many people walked out of this diner, a police station, or a traffic stop believing nobody would ever listen to them?"
The customers were listening.
Walter slowly folded his arms.
Martha stood beside the counter.
Jamal continued.
JAMAL: "You seem to believe this is about my title. It isn't. If I had been a delivery driver, a mechanic, a student, or someone who had no idea how to defend himself, what you did would still have been wrong."
The man in the suit listened without interrupting.
JAMAL: "The law cannot depend on whether the person being mistreated has enough influence to make someone pay attention."
Hayes looked away.
For the first time, the sheriff appeared unable to turn the conversation back toward Jamal's supposed behavior.
The man in the suit took a small notebook from his folder.
MAN IN SUIT: "We will document your statement and the available evidence."
He turned toward the customers.
MAN IN SUIT: "Anyone who witnessed the incident will have an opportunity to provide an account without pressure from the local officers involved."
Martha nodded.
Walter nodded too.
The customer with the phone raised it slightly.
CUSTOMER: "I still have the recording."
MAN IN SUIT: "Please keep the original file. Do not edit or delete it. Someone will arrange to obtain a copy through the proper process."
The sheriff looked toward the customer.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You'd better make sure that recording shows the whole situation."
CUSTOMER: "It shows what happened."
SHERIFF HAYES: "We'll see."
Jamal looked at the customer.
JAMAL: "Keep it safe."
The customer nodded.
Outside, another vehicle arrived.
This time, two additional people stepped out and approached the entrance.
The man in the suit glanced toward them.
MAN IN SUIT: "They've arrived."
Hayes looked toward the door.
SHERIFF HAYES: "Who are they?"
The man in the suit closed his folder.
MAN IN SUIT: "People who need to speak with you."
The sheriff's expression changed again.
He had entered the diner expecting to question a stranger.
Now he was the person being asked to explain his actions.
And the investigation was only beginning.
The two newcomers entered.
One carried a document case.
The other wore a dark jacket and displayed official credentials.