Not in full uniform—just a dress shirt and slacks—but his posture was unmistakable: stiff, defensive, as if he expected to be attacked by manners.
He spotted Victoria immediately.
His face changed—panic and calculation, both trying to occupy the same expression.
Behind him came Daniels, eyes darting.
And behind them—worse—came Captain Reynolds, Johnson’s supervisor, wearing a tight smile like someone forced into a room he didn’t want.
Victoria watched them approach, her pulse steady.
Sheriff Claybourne stepped toward them, confused. “Reynolds? What’s—”
Captain Reynolds cut in quickly. “Administrator Hart. We—uh—wanted to greet you.”
Victoria’s smile was polite and cold. “Captain.”
Johnson’s jaw clenched. “Ma’am, about earlier—”
Victoria lifted a hand. “Not here.”
Johnson swallowed. “We just want to—”
Victoria leaned in slightly, voice low enough that only they could hear. “You want to look like this was a misunderstanding. I want to know why the citizens of this county are afraid of your checkpoint.”
Captain Reynolds’ smile twitched. “Administrator, with respect, this is a wedding.”
Victoria’s eyes didn’t move. “And with respect, you brought your mess into it.”
Daniels shifted uncomfortably.