"Put the phone down!"
Harold didn't move closer.
He simply kept recording.
"I'm on my own property."
Voss pointed the baton in his direction.
"You want to get involved?"
Camille spoke immediately.
"Don't threaten the witness."
He turned sharply.
Then shoved her shoulder.
The movement forced her one step backward, but she remained upright.
Solis reacted at once.
"Sergeant! Don't push her!"
For several seconds, all three stood motionless.
The deputy had crossed another line.
Camille slowly removed her sunglasses.
She looked directly at him.
And spoke with a calmness that seemed to unsettle him more than anger would have.
"You're going to have to explain every decision you just made."
Voss laughed.
"You threatening me?"
"No."
She glanced toward the shattered windows.
"I'm describing what happens when conduct is reviewed."
The deputy stared.
Then looked toward her fashionable outfit.
The oversized jacket.
The striped crop top.
The sage-green skirt.
And the tiny yellow bag.
He apparently couldn't imagine someone dressed like that possessing the professional experience she claimed.
He scoffed.
"Let me guess. You're some kind of lawyer?"
Camille didn't answer immediately.
Then said, "My occupation isn't the issue."
Voss smiled contemptuously.
"That's what I thought."
She tilted her head.
For a moment, she considered identifying herself as the incoming sheriff.
The appointment was already public information.
She had every right to tell him.
But she also knew that invoking her future title might distort the encounter and create confusion about authority that wasn't yet effective.
More importantly, she didn't want him to behave properly merely because he believed she outranked him.
He should be willing to verify the facts for anyone.
So she answered only with the information necessary to establish ownership.
"My registration is valid. Your partner has the identifying information. Please allow her to confirm it."
Voss turned away.
He appeared determined not to let the younger deputy resolve the situation.
Solis received the dispatch update moments later.
The communications officer confirmed that no verified stolen-vehicle entry matched Camille's Bentley.
The partial hotel description remained uncorroborated.
The registered owner information was consistent with Camille's documents.
Solis looked toward her supervisor.
"Sergeant, communications has confirmed the registration."
Voss kept his back turned.
She stepped closer.
"The car isn't listed as stolen."
He faced her.
"That doesn't mean it wasn't stolen."
Solis took a breath.
"There's no current record supporting that conclusion."
Voss stared.
For several seconds, she thought he might actually reconsider.
Then he said, "Could be a delayed report."
Camille felt the absurdity of the statement.
Any vehicle could theoretically become the subject of a future report.
That wasn't evidence that it was stolen now.
She remained quiet.
Solis continued.
"We need to end the detention unless there's another lawful basis."
The word need seemed to infuriate Voss.
He stepped toward her.