His uniform had been replaced by an ordinary button-down shirt and dark trousers.
Without the badge on his chest, he seemed less certain of himself.
The investigator began with simple questions.
When had he learned about the vehicle?
Who assigned the call?
What information had he received?
Why did he believe the vehicle was stolen?
The deputy answered cautiously.
He said the older officer had received the assignment.
He believed a suspicious luxury vehicle was expected at the courthouse.
He thought the older deputy possessed additional information.
The investigator asked what specific information he had personally verified.
The younger deputy hesitated.
"Not much."
"Did you check the registration?"
"No."
"Did you see a stolen-vehicle confirmation?"
"No."
"Did the driver attempt to flee?"
"No."
"Did she threaten you?"
"No."
The investigator looked at his notes.
"Then why did you push her?"
The younger deputy stared at the table.
"She moved toward the car."
"Was that movement an immediate threat to anyone?"
He hesitated.
"I thought she might interfere."
"Interfere with what?"
The deputy swallowed.
"The inspection."
"What lawful inspection?"
Silence.
The investigator waited.
Finally, the younger man whispered, "I was following my partner."
The investigator nodded.
"Did your partner instruct you to shove her?"
"No."
"Then whose decision was it?"
The deputy looked down.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he answered.
"Mine."
The room became quiet.
The investigator continued.
"Do you believe that decision was justified?"
The younger deputy's face tightened.
He looked toward his representative.
Then back at the investigator.
"No."
It was the first time he'd acknowledged the obvious.
Not because the woman was a state official.
Not because the captain was angry.
Because the video showed him shoving someone who had not threatened him.
The investigator changed the subject.
"Did your partner tell you to look for anything specific inside the car?"
The deputy hesitated.
Then nodded.
"What?"
"A document case."
The investigator remained still.
"Describe it."
The younger deputy swallowed.
"He said there might be a case containing records."
"What kind of records?"
"I don't know."
"Who told him?"
The deputy looked frightened.
"He said the instruction came from the administrative office."