No argument.
Ten minutes later, after Miller returned from cruiser, audio captured radio.
Ryker’s voice.
“Driver giving you trouble?”
Miller:
“No, sheriff. Just asking questions.”
Ryker:
“What kind?”
Miller:
“She asked why I ran second plate query.”
Silence.
Then Ryker:
“Hold her.”
“I’m coming.”
The investigator paused.
“Why did Sheriff care about second plate query?”
Miller stared.
His attorney whispered something.
Miller did not answer.
The investigator resumed.
Ryker arrived.
Within ninety seconds he asked to search vehicle.
Sarah:
“No, Sheriff. I do not consent to a search.”
Ryker:
“If you got nothing to hide, what's problem?”
Sarah:
“I’m asserting my right.”
Ryker:
“You lawyers?”
Sarah:
“Yes.”
Ryker laughed.
“Of course.”
Then:
“You people come down here thinking you know everything.”
Sarah:
“What people?”
Ryker:
“Out-of-town professionals.”
Maybe not direct racial wording, but loaded. Then he ordered her out.
The investigator stopped video.
“Deputy Miller.”
Miller stared at table.
“Why did he want vehicle searched?”
“I don't know.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Did you have probable cause?”
“No.”
“Did you smell alcohol?”
“No.”
“Marijuana?”
“No.”
“See weapon?”
“No.”
“Contraband?”
“No.”
“Outstanding warrant?”
“No.”
“Then why did you assist?”
Miller’s face tightened.
“He was sheriff.”
“That isn't legal basis.”
“I know.”
“What did you believe would happen if you disagreed?”
Miller took long breath.
“You didn't work for him.”
The investigator leaned back.
“Tell me.”
Miller stared at frozen image of Sarah beside car.
Then said:
“You get frozen out.”
“Bad shifts.”
“No overtime.”
“No backup when you need it.”
“Complaints.”
“Everyone says you're not team player.”
His attorney whispered again.
Miller shook his head.
“No.”
“I’m done.”
The attorney stopped.
Miller continued:
“He liked interdiction.”
“Cars with out-of-county plates.”
“Nice cars.”
“Rental cars.”
“He thought travelers carried cash.”
“Why?”
“He said interstate pipeline.”
“Drug money.”
“Did you believe that?”
“At first.”
“And later?”
Miller looked down.
“Later I thought he just liked people he could pressure.”
The GBI investigator asked: