“The original recording is preserved in the camera system.”
The sergeant looked toward the house.
Then toward the pickup.
His confidence began to crack.
Because the footage appeared to show him standing beside a county worker while the very property he accused Samuel of stealing was placed in the truck.
And Andre had another recording.
Chapter 6: The Second Video Nobody Expected
Andre opened a second file.
This recording came from the camera mounted above the garage.
It showed the same encounter from a different angle.
The image was clearer.
The maintenance worker’s face was visible.
So was the county van’s identification number.
And the sergeant’s name patch could be seen when he turned toward the garage.
Elise stared.
“Sergeant…”
Baird snapped.
“That’s enough.”
She looked at him.
“Why were you here before the stop?”
Baird hesitated.
“Official business.”
“What official business?”
“Investigation.”
Andre looked directly at him.
“Then why was county equipment placed in my father’s truck?”
Baird’s expression hardened.
“That’s not what happened.”
Andre nodded toward the screen.
“The camera shows exactly what happened.”
The sergeant stepped closer.
“You don’t know the full story.”
Andre took a breath.
“Then explain it.”
Baird said nothing.
Samuel looked toward his son.
His voice was weak.
“Andre, what is going on?”
Andre knelt beside him.
“I don’t know everything yet, Dad.”
He paused.
“But I know you didn’t steal anything.”
Samuel closed his eyes.
Tears slipped down his cheeks.
For nearly an hour, he had been frightened and humiliated.
Now his son had proof that the accusation against him might have been deliberately manufactured.
The ambulance arrived moments later.
Two paramedics approached.
Andre stepped aside to let them examine his father.
As Samuel was carefully moved onto a stretcher, Deputy Navarro contacted dispatch.
She requested a supervisor.
