They approached the man in the suit, exchanged a few quiet words, and then looked toward Jamal.
Jamal gave a small nod.
The second newcomer turned toward Sheriff Hayes.
NEW ARRIVAL: "Sheriff Richard Hayes?"
SHERIFF HAYES: "Yes."
NEW ARRIVAL: "We need to discuss the incident involving Judge Carter."
Hayes folded his arms.
SHERIFF HAYES: "I already explained what happened."
NEW ARRIVAL: "We understand that you have provided an initial account. We also understand that several witnesses have described a different sequence of events."
The sheriff looked toward the customers.
NEW ARRIVAL: "We will need to review the available recordings, the officers' reports, and the statements of everyone present."
SHERIFF HAYES: "This is being blown out of proportion."
NEW ARRIVAL: "That determination will not be made by you."
The words were delivered calmly.
But the sheriff seemed to take them as a direct challenge.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You people come in here and act like you can take over my department."
NEW ARRIVAL: "Nobody is discussing your department. We are discussing an incident involving a federal judicial officer and the use of force by a local sheriff."
The room fell silent again.
Jamal slowly adjusted his jacket.
The pain in his face was becoming more noticeable, but he remained composed.
He looked at the new arrivals.
JAMAL: "Before we continue, I want to make one thing clear. I expect the same standard of investigation that would apply to anyone else."
NEW ARRIVAL: "Understood, Judge."
JAMAL: "No special treatment. No shortcuts. Preserve the evidence, interview the witnesses, and establish exactly what happened."
NEW ARRIVAL: "That is our intention."
Hayes looked at Jamal.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You really think you're going to walk out of here and tell everyone how to run this county?"
Jamal met his eyes.
JAMAL: "I think you're going to have to answer for what happened in this room."
The sheriff did not respond.
For the first time, he seemed to understand that the incident would not end with a few angry words and a report written behind closed doors.
There were witnesses.
There was a recording.
There was official identification.
And there were now people outside the local chain of command asking questions.
Jamal looked around the diner one final time.
The ice cream cup was still lying near the edge of the table.
A small amount of melted vanilla had spread across the beige surface.
His white jacket was stained.
His nose still hurt.
But the thing that bothered him most was not the physical pain.
It was the casual confidence with which the sheriff had believed he could do whatever he wanted.
Jamal turned toward Martha.
JAMAL: "I'm sorry you had to witness that."
Martha shook her head.
MARTHA: "You don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."
Jamal nodded.
JAMAL: "Thank you for speaking up."
Walter approached from his booth.
WALTER: "I've seen things like this before. Most people don't say anything."
JAMAL: "I understand."
WALTER: "I should have spoken up sooner."
Jamal looked at the older man.
JAMAL: "You spoke when it mattered."
Walter lowered his head.
The sheriff watched them from across the room.
He seemed frustrated by the growing support Jamal was receiving.
He had expected the customers to remain afraid.
Instead, they were beginning to talk openly.
And once people started speaking, it became much harder to force them back into silence.
The man in the suit approached Jamal again.
MAN IN SUIT: "Judge Carter, the medical team is on its way. We can take your statement once you're comfortable."
JAMAL: "All right."
MAN IN SUIT: "There is one other matter we need to discuss."
Jamal looked at him.
MAN IN SUIT: "The initial information we received suggests that this incident may not be the first complaint involving Sheriff Hayes."
Jamal's expression became serious.
JAMAL: "What kind of complaints?"
The man glanced toward the sheriff.
MAN IN SUIT: "We don't have enough verified information to discuss the details here."
JAMAL: "But there are previous complaints?"
MAN IN SUIT: "There are records that need to be reviewed."
Jamal looked toward the customers.
Then toward Brooks.
Finally, he turned back to the man.
JAMAL: "Then don't limit the investigation to what happened to me today."
The man nodded.
MAN IN SUIT: "I understand."
Jamal's eyes returned to Hayes.
JAMAL: "If this has been happening to other people, they deserve to be heard too."
The sheriff's face hardened.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You have no idea what you're getting involved in."
JAMAL: "Maybe not yet."
Jamal paused.
JAMAL: "But I intend to find out."
The two men stared at one another.
Neither spoke.
Outside, the afternoon sun was beginning to fade.
Inside the Kettle & Comb, the familiar sounds of plates, coffee cups, and quiet conversation had disappeared.
The diner had become the center of an investigation that could reach far beyond its red leather booths and beige tabletops.