"And if anyone pressures you to change that report, you tell the appropriate investigators exactly what happened."
Holt nodded.
For a moment, his eyes filled.
Then he said quietly.
"Thank you, sir."
Redd watched him leave.
He knew the young deputy had just done something that should have been ordinary.
But under Cleary's leadership, accurate documentation sometimes required courage.
By six-thirty, the county prosecutor's office had been notified of serious concerns about the arrest.
The assigned attorney reviewed the available information and requested clarification concerning the alleged offenses.
There was no verified determination that Isaiah's military credential was fraudulent.
The records provided didn't establish a physical assault or attempted escape by the veteran.
And the description of obstruction appeared to rest largely on his verbal disagreement with the sheriff.
The prosecutor didn't immediately declare every aspect of the stop unlawful.
That required a fuller examination.
But the available information didn't support continuing to hold Isaiah on the stated allegations.
After the necessary review, the county arranged his release pending further investigation of the incident.
Redd came to the holding area himself.
Isaiah stood when he entered.
The chief deputy introduced himself.
Then said, "Mr. Brooks, you're being released."
For a moment, Isaiah stared.
He had spent hours waiting for someone to examine the facts.
Now the words seemed almost unreal.
"Are there charges?"
Redd answered carefully.
"The current detention is ending. The circumstances are being referred for review."
Isaiah nodded.
He didn't celebrate.
He asked about his truck.
Redd explained that the vehicle remained at Redline pending proper release arrangements and documentation.
Isaiah's expression tightened.
Then he asked about the torn identification.
The chief deputy paused.
"The pieces have been documented. We'll make sure they're preserved appropriately."
For several seconds, Isaiah remained quiet.
Then he said.
"Thank you for telling me."
Redd nodded.
He seemed about to say something else.
Then stopped.
Finally, he asked whether Isaiah had someone who could pick him up.
Isaiah looked toward the floor.
"My sister's in Mobile."
He paused.
"She doesn't know I'm here."
Nia Brooks answered her phone at 6:47.
She was finishing a shift at an emergency medical services station and preparing to drive home.
When she saw Isaiah's name, she smiled.
"About time."
Then she answered.
"Big brother, where are you?"
Isaiah hesitated.
For a moment, he couldn't think of a simple way to explain the afternoon.
Then he said.
"I'm in Coopersville."
Nia frowned.
"Why are you still there?"
He took a slow breath.
"I got stopped."
She waited.
Then asked.
"Stopped how?"
"By the sheriff."