“Sergeant? County Attorney’s Office keeps calling her.”
Voss looked through the interview-room window at Amara.
Ransom said, “They can wait.”
Price leaned against the wall. “Why would the county attorney be calling her at eleven at night?”
Ransom gave him a warning look.
The phone vibrated again.
This time the screen displayed OUTGOING SHERIFF HALBROOK.
Voss saw it.
His face changed.
“Cole,” he said quietly, “what exactly was in that paperwork?”
Ransom did not answer.
Voss walked to the evidence counter and found the damp county documents that had been collected from the Bentley. He unfolded the page Ransom had dismissed as paperwork. He read it once. Then again.
Price watched him.
Voss looked through the glass at Amara.
“Sheriff-designate,” he said.
Ransom crossed his arms. “At midnight.”
Voss turned toward him. “You knew?”
“She told us after the stop was underway.”
Price corrected him. “We found the paperwork after the windows were broken.”
Voss stared at the senior deputy. “And then you brought her here?”
“She obstructed.”
“How?”
Ransom’s silence lasted too long.
The station’s wall clock clicked toward 11:05.
Voss picked up Amara’s phone and walked into Interview Two. He placed it on the table without unlocking it.
“Ms. Bennett, Sheriff Halbrook is calling.”
“I know.”
“You want to answer?”
“Am I free to leave?”
Voss hesitated.
“That is not the same question.”
He looked embarrassed. “I’m reviewing the detention.”
“Then continue your review.”
“You could clear all this up with one call.”
Amara leaned back. “Sergeant, it is already clear. Your own deputy confirmed the car belonged to me. The initial database issue resolved. Deputy Ransom invented an odor your other deputy did not smell, destroyed my property after I refused consent, searched without a warrant, opened county documents, and then detained me after learning I would become his sheriff at midnight. A phone call cannot erase that sequence.”
Voss sat across from her. “What do you want?”
The question surprised her.
“Tonight?” she said. “I want accurate records preserved. Bodycam, dashcam, dispatch audio, CAD entries, mobile-terminal queries, evidence logs, station video, and every report draft with metadata.”
He stared at her.
“You already have a list.”
“I spent seven years investigating public corruption. Lists are useful.”
Voss rubbed his jaw. “And after midnight?”
Amara looked at the clock.
“After midnight, I want to know whether this department protects the truth when the truth embarrasses someone important.”
Outside the room, Ransom had moved close enough to hear through the door.