She hadn't lunged toward anyone.
She hadn't struck either deputy.
She hadn't threatened violence.
She had attempted to stop the deliberate destruction of her property.
And the younger deputy had treated that reasonable reaction as something to punish.
The distinction would become important.
Because the captain's arrival didn't transform an innocent mistake into wrongdoing.
It merely exposed conduct that had already been wrong.
The state investigative office reacted quickly to the courthouse incident.
The supervising investigator received a call shortly after the captain arrived.
By the time the young woman entered a private courthouse conference room, independent personnel had been assigned to review what happened.
A medical assessment was arranged.
The damaged Rolls-Royce was documented.
The county records technician was interviewed about the false cancellation call.
And the state team began preserving materials that might explain why the deputies had targeted the vehicle.
The young investigator sat opposite her supervisor in the conference room.
The supervisor was a Black American woman in her fifties with a careful, measured speaking style.
She had spent years reviewing allegations involving public officials and understood the political pressure such cases could generate.
She looked toward the younger woman.
"How's your shoulder?"
"Sore."
"Anything else?"
"Just angry."
The supervisor nodded.
"Understandable."
The young investigator looked toward the courthouse window.
Beyond it, she could see the fountain.
A county employee had placed temporary markers near the broken glass.
The Rolls-Royce remained where it had been parked.
Several people stood nearby speaking with investigators.
The supervisor followed her gaze.
"You know you'll need to step away from certain parts of this matter."
The younger woman nodded.
"Because I'm now a complainant and witness."
"Correct."
She looked down.
"I understand."
The supervisor continued.
"You can provide evidence. You can explain what happened. But you shouldn't direct the investigation into the deputies' conduct."
"I know."
"Good."
The young investigator hesitated.
"What about the original towing investigation?"
The supervisor considered that.
"We'll assess whether your involvement creates any conflict concerns. The case has already been reviewed by a team, so we can reassign responsibilities without losing the work."