Andre remained beside him.
Samuel lay quietly in the hospital bed.
A monitor beeped softly nearby.
After several minutes, he turned toward his son.
“Andre?”
“Yes, Dad?”
“Did they really put something in my truck?”
Andre hesitated.
“That’s what the recording shows.”
Samuel closed his eyes.
“I don’t understand.”
Andre pulled a chair closer.
“We’re going to find out.”
His father looked toward the ceiling.
“I taught children for forty years.”
Andre nodded.
“I know.”
“I helped people fix their cars. I tried to be a decent neighbor.”
His voice trembled.
“Why would someone do this to me?”
Andre felt his chest tighten.
He wanted to promise that the officer would face consequences.
But he knew the investigation had only begun.
So he answered honestly.
“I don’t know why he thought he could get away with it.”
Samuel turned toward him.
Andre continued.
“But the evidence is there.”
The old man nodded slowly.
Then he said something Andre would never forget.
“I was afraid I was going to die against that car.”
Andre looked down.
For the first time since arriving at the driveway, his composure broke.
He leaned forward and took his father’s hand.
“I’m here now.”
Samuel squeezed his fingers.
“I know, son.”
And for several minutes, neither spoke.
Chapter 9: The Deputy Who Could Have Looked Away
Elise Navarro had joined the Ridge County Sheriff’s Department five years earlier.
She grew up in a working-class family and believed law enforcement should protect people who needed help.
She respected experienced officers.
But she had become uncomfortable with some of Baird’s behavior.
He was quick to anger.
He treated questions as challenges.
And he often dismissed complaints from motorists and residents.
Elise had previously tried to raise concerns informally.
Most were brushed aside.
She was told Baird had nearly twenty years of experience.
That he knew the county.
That she needed to learn how things worked.
