“This isn’t just about the farm anymore.”
The drive into town felt different.
People who normally waved turned away.
Outside the diner, several men stared openly as Otis’ truck passed.
The fear created by the news coverage was already hardening into anger.
The sheriff’s office was busy.
Deputies whispered when Otis entered.
Several stared.
Sheriff Mike Latimer’s office door stood open.
The older lawman sat behind his desk looking exhausted.
“Come in, Otis.”
He gestured toward the chair.
“Close the door.”
Otis sat.
For a moment, neither man spoke.
“Got quite a situation here,” Mike finally said.
“You know what happened.”
“What I know and what I can prove are different things.”
Mike shuffled papers without looking up.
“Wade’s got witnesses saying you attacked them.”
“They burned my barn.”
Otis’ voice remained level.
“Killed livestock.”
“Destroyed my property.”
“Threatened my family.”
Mike finally looked at him.
“Any proof?”
“Security footage.”
“Clear footage.”
Mike’s face tightened.
“Footage gets challenged.”
He looked away.
“Witnesses change their minds.”
Otis studied him.
“Thought you were different, Mike.”
The sheriff stood and began pacing.
“I got the county commissioner breathing down my neck.”
“I got citizens demanding action.”
“Wade’s family owns half the businesses in town.”
“And that makes it right?”
“No.”
Mike snapped the answer, then lowered his voice.
“It makes it complicated.”
He stopped behind his desk.
“I got no choice, Otis.”
Otis’ eyes narrowed.
“There’s a warrant for your arrest.”
The room became very still.
“Assault. Excessive force. Suspected weapons violations.”
Otis did not move.
“That how it’s going to be?”
“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
Mike’s posture changed.
“Come in quietly. We’ll sort this out properly.”
Through the office window, Otis saw Shirley and Dre arriving outside.
They had followed him.
“Think I’ll decline,” Otis said, standing.
Mike stared at him.
“Otis.”
“You want me?”
Otis turned toward the door.
“You’ll need to find me first.”
“Don’t do this,” Mike said. “The system works if you work with it.”
Otis stopped.
“The system’s broken, Mike.”
He looked back at him.
“Has been for a long time.”
“You’ve just been pretending not to notice.”
He walked out.
Deputies watched him cross the station.