Not because she was afraid to bring the Rolls-Royce.
But because she'd learned that choosing a vehicle was just that—a choice.
She no longer wanted it to represent a test of whether other people would treat her fairly.
When she entered the conference room, several county employees stood to greet her.
Among them was the records technician who had preserved the original towing documents.
The older woman smiled.
"It's good to see you."
The investigator embraced her briefly.
"You too."
The technician looked her over.
"How are you?"
"Much better."
"I'm glad."
They sat together for a few minutes before the presentation.
The technician explained that the county had introduced improved record-retention procedures and clearer documentation requirements for corrections to official files.
The investigator listened with interest.
"How's the staff adjusting?"
The technician laughed softly.
"They complain about the extra steps."
The investigator smiled.
"Naturally."
"But they're learning."
The older woman leaned closer.
"And we have something now that we didn't have before."
"What?"
"A clearer process when somebody tries to change a record."
The investigator nodded.
"That's important."
The technician studied her.
Then said quietly, "I wanted to thank you."
The young woman looked surprised.
"For what?"
"For taking the original complaints seriously."
The investigator shook her head.
"You were the one who preserved those documents."
The technician smiled.
"We both did our jobs."
The younger woman considered that.
Then smiled back.
"Yes. We did."
After the conference, the investigator walked through the courthouse square.
The fountain was still there.
Water spilled from its upper basin, sparkling beneath the afternoon sun.
The same stone buildings stood around the plaza.
The American flags moved beside the courthouse entrance.
Pedestrians crossed the square carrying folders, shopping bags, and coffee cups.
Nothing about the place looked particularly threatening.
Yet as she approached the parking spaces, she felt the old tension return.
Her footsteps slowed.
She remembered where the Rolls-Royce had stood.
Where the older deputy raised the baton.
Where the younger man shoved her.
Where the captain came running down the steps.
She stopped beside the curb.