“Sarah.”
“I need the local process documented before I leave.”
Thomas knew that tone.
He stopped arguing.
State Police Captain Elena Brooks entered next.
She was fifty-two, white, short gray hair, expression controlled.
“Sheriff.”
Boyd exhaled.
“Captain.”
“We need to talk privately.”
“This is my building.”
“Yes.”
“And this is now a joint incident review.”
Boyd pointed toward Sarah.
“She called federal people before making any formal complaint.”
Captain Brooks looked at him.
“She was in your custody.”
“That doesn't change—”
“Boyd.”
Something in Brooks’s voice silenced him.
Sarah watched their interaction.
History.
They knew one another.
Brooks continued.
“Turn over your body camera.”
Boyd stared.
“You serious?”
“Yes.”
“I’m the elected sheriff.”
“And?”
He blinked.
Brooks extended one hand.
“Camera.”
Boyd removed it.
Slowly.
Placed it in her palm.
Brooks looked toward the booking deputy.
“Facility recordings?”
“Automatic archive.”
“Lock access.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Boyd said:
“This is absurd.”
Brooks turned.
“What is?”
“Everybody acting like I assaulted somebody.”
Toby appeared in the doorway.
“You did.”
Boyd’s head snapped toward him.
“You.”
Toby entered.
No badge.
Captain Brooks looked at him.
“Deputy Miller?”
“Former deputy, apparently.”
Boyd pointed.
“He was fired.”
Brooks looked back at Boyd.
“For what?”
“Insubordination.”
Toby answered first.
“For telling him to stop hitting her.”
Thomas Reed’s expression changed.
Sarah closed her eyes briefly.
There it was.
Public.
Unavoidable.
Brooks turned toward Sarah.
“General Hayes, I need to ask directly. Were you struck?”
“Yes.”
“By Sheriff Cleary?”
“Yes.”
“Shoved?”
“Yes.”
“Any other force?”
“He kicked my chair into my shin during questioning and used force during arrest.”
Boyd interrupted.
“She was resisting.”
Toby said:
“No, she wasn't.”
Boyd stepped toward him.
“You were behind me.”
“I watched the entire stop.”
“You're disgruntled.”
“I was your deputy forty minutes ago.”
“You're nothing now.”
Sarah looked at Boyd.
He heard himself too late.
Captain Brooks said quietly:
“That’s enough.”
Boyd turned.
“You taking his side?”
“I’m taking statements.”
“You've known me twenty years.”