Chapter 4: The Sheriff Makes His Move
The first patrol car arrived before Travis could finish reading the message on his phone.
Then came a second.
Then a third.
Within minutes, three county vehicles surrounded Miller's Roadside Diner.
Their blue lights flashed against the diner's dusty windows, even though nobody had called for an ambulance or reported a violent crime.
Evelyn stood behind the counter, watching the officers approach.
"He's bringing everybody," she whispered.
Travis looked through the window.
"Not everybody. Only the ones he thinks will obey him.""
Sheriff Wade Mercer stepped out of his SUV and buttoned his uniform jacket.
He looked calm again.
That was what worried Travis.
Wade was the kind of man who became polite when he was preparing to hurt someone.
Two deputies entered the diner.
The first was Deputy Nathan Briggs, a stocky man in his forties who had worked under Wade for nearly a decade.
The second was Deputy Aaron Mills, a quiet twenty-six-year-old who rarely spoke unless spoken to.
Wade followed them inside.
"Everybody remain where you are.""
A truck driver sitting at the counter raised his coffee.
"Am I under arrest for eating breakfast?""
Wade ignored him.
His eyes went straight to Evelyn.
"Where's the recording?""
Evelyn kept her hands on the counter.
"I don't know what you're talking about.""
"Don't play games with me.""
"Then don't ask questions you already know the answer to.""
Briggs moved toward her.
"Mrs. Price, the sheriff needs the security footage for an investigation.""
"Then get a warrant.""
Briggs glanced at Wade.
Wade gave a small nod.
"Mrs. Price, you're interfering with an active investigation.""
Evelyn looked directly at him.
"You mean the investigation into why you hit a dog?""
Wade's expression hardened.
"Deputy Briggs, secure the premises.""
Travis stepped forward.
"On what grounds?""
Wade turned.
"You're suspended. You don't have any authority here.""
"I know. But I still know the law.""
"Apparently not.""
"You can't seize private security footage without proper legal authority.""
Wade laughed.
"Watch me.""
He pointed at Briggs.
"Take the drive.""
Briggs walked behind the counter.
Evelyn stepped in front of the computer.
"Don't touch that.""
Briggs reached for her shoulder.
Travis immediately moved between them.
"Keep your hands off her.""
Briggs stopped.
"Move, Cole.""
"She's seventy years old. You don't need to put your hands on her.""
Wade stepped closer.
"You're making this worse.""
"No. You did that when you swung a baton at a dog.""
The truck driver stood.
"He's right.""
Wade turned.
"Sit down.""
The man shook his head.
"I've been sitting down for twenty minutes watching you threaten an old woman.""
Another customer stood.
Then another.
A woman near the window lifted her phone.
"Everything you're saying is being recorded.""
Wade looked around.
For the first time, he realized the room wasn't responding to his badge.
It was responding to his behavior.
He turned toward Deputy Mills.
"Get that woman outside.""
Mills looked at the customer.
Then at Wade.
"She's not doing anything illegal, sir.""
Wade's jaw tightened.
"Excuse me?""
"She's recording in a public dining area.""
"Are you questioning my order?""
Mills swallowed.
"No, sir.""
"Then do it.""
Mills didn't move.
Briggs rolled his eyes.
"Lord, what's wrong with everybody today?""
He reached for Evelyn's computer.
She slapped his hand away.
"That's my property!""
Briggs grabbed her wrist.
Travis reacted instantly.
"Let her go!""
The customers began shouting.
A chair scraped across the floor.
Then the front door opened.
A woman in a dark navy jacket entered carrying a leather folder.
She was in her early forties, with short brown hair and a silver badge clipped to her belt.
"Everyone stop.""
Wade turned.
"Who are you?""
"Agent Rebecca Lawson. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.""
The room went silent.
Wade's face changed.
It wasn't fear exactly.
It was recognition.
"Agent Lawson. This is a county matter.""
"Not anymore.""
She showed him her credentials.
"I received a report of an assault involving an animal, possible abuse of authority, and interference with evidence.""
Wade laughed.
"An assault? The dog attacked me.""
Rebecca looked at Travis.
"Did it?""
"No, ma'am.""
She turned toward Evelyn.
"Do you have the recording?""
Evelyn nodded.
"Yes.""
"Has anyone altered it?""
"No.""
"Has anyone attempted to take it?""
Evelyn looked at Wade.
"Yes.""
Rebecca slowly turned toward the sheriff.
"Did you attempt to seize this recording?""
"I was securing evidence.""
"Under what authority?""
Wade didn't answer.
Rebecca opened her folder.
"Then perhaps we should start with the incident report.""
Wade folded his arms.
"I'll have my attorney contact you.""
"That's fine. But until then, I need everyone to preserve all relevant recordings and reports.""
She looked at Travis.
"Mr. Cole, I want your statement.""
Travis nodded.
Rebecca glanced at his empty belt.
"Where's your badge?""
"On the hood of the patrol SUV. Sheriff suspended me.""
"That doesn't prevent you from being a witness.""
She turned toward Evelyn.
"And I'd like a copy of the entire security archive for the past forty-eight hours.""
Evelyn nodded.
"There's something else you need to see.""
She led Rebecca toward the office.
Travis followed.
Inside, Evelyn opened the security software.
She selected the camera overlooking the parking lot.
Then she played the recording.
The sheriff's arrival.
The conversation.
Rex standing.
The baton coming out.
The strike.
Darnell dropping to his knees.
Every second was clear.
The audio was even clearer.
Rebecca watched without speaking.
When the video ended, she replayed the section immediately before the assault.
Wade's voice came through the speakers.
"Control your dog.""
Darnell's reply followed.
"He's not threatening you.""
Then the sound of the baton.
Rebecca paused the recording.
"That's enough to establish a timeline. I want an authenticated copy.""
Evelyn nodded.
"There's another camera.""
She opened a second file.
This one showed the side entrance and the road beyond the diner.
A gray pickup appeared.
It stopped beside Wade's patrol vehicle.
Raymond Pierce stepped out.
He handed Wade an envelope.
Wade accepted it.
Then both men looked toward the security camera.
Rebecca leaned closer.
"What time was this?""
"About twenty minutes ago.""
"Do you know the man?""
"Raymond Pierce. His brother owned the timber company involved in an old search investigation.""
Rebecca looked at Travis.
"Franklin Pierce?""
He nodded.
"That's right.""
Rebecca's expression became serious.
She checked the time stamp again.
Then she looked toward the parking lot.
"Mr. Cole, I need you to tell me everything your sister remembers.""
Before Travis could answer, a loud crash came from outside.
Everyone rushed to the front window.
Deputy Briggs had just kicked the side of Travis's truck.
A man in civilian clothes stood beside him.
It was Raymond Pierce.
He was holding a small black object.
Travis recognized it immediately.
His phone.
Raymond smiled.
Then he walked toward the sheriff's SUV.
Rebecca's eyes narrowed.
"Nobody leaves.""
But Raymond was already reaching for his truck door.
And when Travis looked closer at the black object in his hand, he realized Raymond wasn't holding his phone.
May you like
He was holding a second security drive.
One that had disappeared from the diner's office three years earlier.
