MAN IN SUIT: "We'll document the request and coordinate with the owner."
JAMAL: "I also want the witnesses protected from intimidation."
MAN IN SUIT: "That will be included in the instructions."
Jamal looked toward Martha.
She was standing near the counter, still visibly shaken.
JAMAL: "Martha, you did the right thing by telling the truth."
MARTHA: "I was scared."
JAMAL: "I know."
MARTHA: "I have worked here for twelve years. I've seen that sheriff come in many times. Usually, people just let him do whatever he wants."
Jamal listened carefully.
MARTHA: "Nobody wants trouble with him. Some people have families here. Some have businesses. They worry that if they say something, he'll find a reason to make their lives difficult."
JAMAL: "Has anyone ever made a formal complaint?"
Martha looked toward the sheriff before answering.
MARTHA: "A few people have talked about it. I don't know what happened afterward."
JAMAL: "If you remember anything relevant, make sure you tell the investigators. Don't exaggerate, and don't leave out details because you think they might be uncomfortable."
Martha nodded.
Jamal turned toward Walter.
JAMAL: "And thank you for speaking up."
WALTER: "I should have done it a long time ago."
JAMAL: "You can't change what happened before today. You can decide what you do now."
Walter slowly nodded.
The paramedics helped Jamal gather his belongings.
He placed his phone inside his black leather bag and checked that his wallet was secure.
His white jacket was badly stained.
He looked at it for a moment, then zipped the bag.
The man in the dark suit approached again.
MAN IN SUIT: "Judge Carter, transportation is ready."
JAMAL: "Before I leave, I'd like to speak with Deputy Brooks."
The man nodded.
Brooks was standing near the entrance, separated from Hayes and the other officers.
He approached Jamal.
DEPUTY BROOKS: "Yes, sir?"
JAMAL: "I want to ask you something."
DEPUTY BROOKS: "Go ahead."
JAMAL: "When the sheriff threw the ice cream at me, what did you think?"
Brooks looked uncomfortable.
DEPUTY BROOKS: "I thought it was unnecessary."
JAMAL: "And when he punched me?"
Brooks took a breath.
DEPUTY BROOKS: "I thought he went too far."
JAMAL: "Then why didn't you stop him?"
The question was direct.
Brooks lowered his eyes.
DEPUTY BROOKS: "I should have done more."
JAMAL: "You had an opportunity to intervene."
DEPUTY BROOKS: "I know."
JAMAL: "You also had an opportunity to make sure the report reflected what actually happened."
Brooks nodded.
DEPUTY BROOKS: "I'll tell them the truth."
Jamal studied his expression.
JAMAL: "Don't do it because you think it will protect your career. Do it because it's the right thing to do."
DEPUTY BROOKS: "I understand."
JAMAL: "I hope you do."
Brooks looked at the floor.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then Jamal added something that the deputy would remember for a long time.
JAMAL: "A uniform gives you authority, but it also gives you responsibility. If you see someone abusing that authority and you choose to remain silent, your silence becomes part of the problem."
Brooks looked up.
DEPUTY BROOKS: "I won't forget that."
Jamal nodded and walked toward the entrance.
As he passed the sheriff, Hayes stepped slightly into his path.
SHERIFF HAYES: "Judge Carter."
Jamal stopped.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You seem to think this is going to end with you making a phone call and getting everyone in trouble."
JAMAL: "I haven't asked anyone to punish you."
SHERIFF HAYES: "Then what do you want?"
JAMAL: "An honest investigation."
Hayes gave a bitter smile.
SHERIFF HAYES: "You think you can change the way things work around here?"
JAMAL: "I don't know how things have worked here. But I know what happened today."
SHERIFF HAYES: "You should be careful about making enemies."
Jamal looked at him steadily.
JAMAL: "I didn't come here looking for an enemy. I came here looking for lunch."
He continued toward the door.
The sheriff remained where he was.
For once, he had no convincing response.
Outside, the afternoon had grown cooler.
Jamal entered the waiting vehicle with assistance from the paramedics. Before the door closed, he looked back at the diner.
Through the window, he could see Martha standing beside Walter.
He could also see Deputy Brooks talking with the investigators.
The sheriff remained near the entrance, isolated from the people who had once been afraid to question him.
Jamal knew that the most difficult part was still ahead.
The truth had to survive beyond the first statements.
It had to be supported by recordings, documents, medical evidence, and testimony.
And if there were previous complaints, they needed to be examined with the same seriousness.
He looked down at his phone.
Several messages had arrived.
One was from a colleague asking whether he had reached his destination.