“Turn around.”

And Camille realized the encounter was not going to be routine.

Chapter 6: The Three Deputies

Trent Voss was thirty-eight.

He had spent twelve years working in the sheriff’s department.

He was ambitious, aggressive, and known for maintaining close relationships with influential supervisors.

Kyle Mercer, thirty-three, was less experienced but eager to impress him.

Luke Brenner, twenty-seven, had joined the department only two years earlier.

He was quieter than the others.

He tended to follow instructions rather than challenge them.

The three deputies had been assigned to assist with a security operation in the justice complex.

But Camille immediately noticed something unusual.

They weren’t checking parking permits.

They weren’t speaking to other drivers.

And they seemed interested only in her briefcase.

Voss pointed toward the bag.

“What’s inside?”

“Case materials.”

“What kind of case?”

“Confidential legal work.”

He laughed.

“That’s convenient.”

Camille remained calm.

“I can verify my identity through the district attorney’s office.”

Mercer stepped closer.

“We don’t need your help.”

Voss reached for her briefcase.

Camille took a step backward.

“Deputy, do you have legal authority to search those materials?”

His expression hardened.

“Don’t make this difficult.”

“I’m asking a question.”

Voss grabbed the handle.

The briefcase opened.

Documents spilled onto the concrete.

Camille looked down.

A folder slid toward the rear tire of her Lexus.

She recognized the witness statements immediately.

“Those are sensitive records.”

Voss glanced at the pages.

Then looked toward Mercer.

“Get her phone.”

Camille’s stomach tightened.

She had been expecting a possible attempt to intimidate witnesses.

But she had not expected an officer to target her directly.

She looked toward the security camera mounted above the garage entrance.

Then toward the elevator.

And she made a decision.

She would not physically resist.

But she would preserve every detail she could.

Chapter 7: The Arrest That Made No Sense

Mercer took Camille’s phone.