"Am I going to get in trouble?"
"No. You're not being accused of wrongdoing."
He hesitated.
"The officer told me to stop."
"I heard him."
The young man looked down.
Then he said, "I kept filming."
She smiled faintly.
"Thank you for telling me."
He swallowed.
"I saw him hit your car. Both times."
The investigator nodded.
"Please don't alter the video. Someone will explain the proper evidence-preservation process."
He agreed.
Then she returned to the captain.
A county records employee was standing near the courthouse entrance, watching the scene with a frightened expression.
The investigator had seen her photograph in the appointment correspondence.
She was the custodian responsible for the records review.
The woman approached cautiously.
"State Investigator?"
"Yes."
"I'm the records technician you were scheduled to meet."
The investigator nodded.
"Thank you. I'm sorry the appointment has been delayed."
The technician looked toward the damaged Rolls-Royce.
"Are you all right?"
"I will be."
The technician glanced at the deputies.
Then she lowered her voice.
"There's something I need to tell you."
The investigator became attentive.
"Go ahead."
The technician looked toward the courthouse doors.
"I received a telephone call this morning telling me your appointment had been canceled."
The investigator frowned.
"From whom?"
"The sheriff's administrative office."
The captain straightened.
"What?"
The technician swallowed.
"The caller said the state inspection was being postponed because of a transportation issue."
The investigator glanced toward her car.
"What time was the call?"
"About ten-fifteen."
She looked at the captain.
The captain's face tightened.
The investigator continued.
"Did you receive any cancellation notice directly from my office?"
The technician shook her head.
"No."
"Did the caller identify themselves?"
"They gave a first name, but I didn't recognize the voice."
The investigator remained silent for a moment.
Then asked, "Did you make any changes to the records?"
"No. They're still secured."
"Good."
The technician looked relieved.
The captain rubbed his forehead.
Something about the situation had become deeply unsettling.
The investigator's appointment was confidential.
The records involved allegations against sheriff's personnel.
A false cancellation call had been made before her arrival.