"It gives us room."
"For what?"
Boone lowered his voice. "If all of this happened before you knew she was federal, then the stop can still be described as a normal seizure that became complicated later."
Noah stared at him. "A normal seizure?"
Boone ignored the question. He looked toward the office building. "Where are her credentials?"
"In my patrol bag."
"And the file?"
"With them."
Boone held out his hand. "Bring both."
Mercer returned a minute later and gave him the credential wallet and the sealed federal file. Boone opened the wallet first. He read Maya's name, studied the badge, then looked toward the locked office room. After that, he opened the file. His expression changed when he saw the Ashford County references. He turned several pages, reading names and case notes without speaking.
Mercer waited. Finally, Boone closed the file.
"How much did she say?"
"Almost nothing."
"Did she tell you how long they have been looking at us?"
"No."
"Did she mention warrants?"
"No."
"Surveillance?"
"No."
Boone looked toward the locked room again. "Then we ask."
He walked back into the office building. Noah followed. Mercer stayed close behind Boone.
Boone unlocked the room and entered. Maya was standing near the desk. Her wrists were still cuffed in front of her. Boone placed the credential wallet and the federal file on the table.
"Maya Williams."
She looked at him. "Sergeant Clay Boone."
"I know."
Boone sat down. Mercer remained near the door. Noah stood in the hallway where he could hear.
Boone opened the file again. "How many people know you came to Ashford today?"
Maya did not answer.
"Was someone following you?"
Silence.
"Do you have a surveillance team nearby?"
Maya looked at him. "You are asking a lot of questions about what the FBI knows."
"I am asking because you were carrying an active federal file through my county."