"A short clip can be accurate and still create a lie," Camille said.
He looked down at the notebook Pike had returned to him. One page had been bent at the corner, but it remained intact.
"Did you write down the original plate return?" she asked.
Van did not answer.
"You are not required to speak to me," Camille said. "But you are required to preserve what you recorded."
Pike entered, carrying a tablet. "The duty prosecutor accepted the charges for review. Until identity verification is completed through our command staff, she remains in city custody."
Camille saw Van close his notebook.
Pike placed the tablet before her. It contained a property acknowledgement listing the Harley, helmet, radio, credential case, and phone. The registration was absent. "Sign."
"Add the registration folder from the left saddlebag."
"The tow inventory isn't finished."
"Then I won't certify an incomplete list."
Pike withdrew the tablet. "Refusal noted."
Camille looked past him to Van. "Record that I requested preservation of the gas station video, the complete CAD event, the radio channel, your notebook, and Sloan's intake record."
Pike started to speak, but Van opened the notebook for the first time since drawing his gun. He wrote without looking to Pike for permission.
Van had written half a sentence when footsteps approached from the nurse's station. Pike reached for the notebook, but Van closed it and slid it into the inner pocket of his vest.
Police Chief Mason Kerr entered through the curtain wearing the white command shirt Camille had seen across the emergency operations table that morning. Rain darkened both shoulders. He looked first at her bandaged arm, then at the cuff securing her to the bed.
"Sheriff Bennett."
Pike straightened. "Chief, the subject's identity has not been authenticated. We recovered suspected counterfeit credentials and a county radio."
Kerr stared at him. "I have sat beside Camille Bennett at six command meetings this month." He turned to Van. "Remove the cuff."
Van unlocked it immediately. Blood returned painfully to Camille's hand. She did not thank Kerr for recognizing her; recognition was the minimum that should have happened beside the Harley.