"How serious?"
"Federal investigators are here."
There was a pause.
"Why?"
"Because Walter Hayes."
Pike said nothing.
Hollister continued.
"Mercer assaulted him during questioning. Hayes had a recording device."
Pike exhaled sharply.
"How much did he record?"
"Everything."
"Then you need to get the device."
"It's already in federal custody."
Another silence.
Pike's voice became colder.
"Who told you to question him?"
"I didn't tell Mercer to assault him."
"That's not what I asked."
Hollister looked toward the office door.
"I didn't know he was going to be involved."
"Did you know what he had?"
"No."
"Then why was he arrested?"
"He was seen near the warehouse."
"That doesn't answer my question."
Hollister tightened his grip on the phone.
"He's connected to the old transfer records."
Pike did not respond.
Hollister continued.
"He identified the equipment."
"Then this is worse than I thought."
"Tell me something I don't know."
Pike lowered his voice.
"Listen carefully. Do not contact me again from that number."
"What?"
"Do not call me. Do not text me. Do not come to the warehouse."
"Adrian—"
The line went dead.
Hollister stared at his phone.
Then he looked at the computer.
The folder containing the vehicle records was still open.
He closed it.
But closing a folder did not erase what had already been copied.
Walter was discharged from the hospital the following morning.
Tessa drove him to his house.
It was a small wooden home on a quiet street, with a narrow porch and a garden that had become slightly overgrown during the previous month.
Walter insisted on carrying his own bag.
Tessa took it from him.
"You're not supposed to lift anything."
"It's a bag."
"It's still lifting."
"You're enjoying this."
"Not even a little."
She helped him inside.
The house smelled faintly of coffee and old books. A framed photograph of Walter in his Navy uniform stood on the mantel. Beside it was a photograph of his late wife, Margaret, smiling in front of a small garden.
Tessa stopped near the mantel.
"Mom would have hated this."
Walter looked at her.
"She would have hated the hospital or the sheriff?"
"Both."
Walter smiled.
"Probably."
Tessa placed the bag beside the sofa.
"Where do you keep your medication?"
"In the kitchen."
"Show me."
He pointed.
She found the bottle, checked the label, and placed it beside a glass of water.
Walter watched her.
"You know, I managed before you arrived."
"I know."
"I can still take care of myself."
"I know that too."
She turned toward him.
"But you don't have to prove it today."
Walter sat down.
For a moment, he looked like he wanted to argue.
Then he simply nodded.
Tessa took a seat opposite him.
"Cross wants to interview you again tomorrow."
"About the equipment?"
"Yes."
"I'll cooperate."
"Good."
She hesitated.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Walter looked up.
"What?"
"The Navy has confirmed that the equipment in question was part of a former communications program. The investigation is being coordinated with federal authorities. My command has no direct role in the civilian criminal case, but the relevant military office is reviewing the transfer records."
Walter nodded.
"That makes sense."
"Your old report may be important."
"I hope they find it."
"They will."
Walter looked toward the photograph of Margaret.
"Your mother used to say that the truth has a way of coming out."
Tessa followed his gaze.
"She also used to say that people should stop making her repeat herself."
Walter laughed softly.
"That too."
For a few minutes, the house felt peaceful.
Then Tessa's phone vibrated.
She checked the screen.
A message from Cross.
We located Robert Ellis. He is willing to make a statement. He says Mercer and Hollister threatened him after he filed a complaint against North Ridge.
Tessa showed the message to her father.
Walter read it.
"There's your second witness."
"Yes."
"Then we need to make sure he is protected."
Cross sent another message.
Ellis also has a copy of a delivery receipt that may identify the missing equipment.
Walter sat forward.
"Tell him not to destroy it."
Tessa typed the reply.
Preserve the original. Do not send it through ordinary messaging. Cross will arrange a secure collection.
Walter leaned back.
"Good."
But the message that arrived next was different.
It came from an unknown number.
Stop asking about the warehouse.
Tessa read it.
Then she looked at her father.
"Did you receive anything like this?"
Walter shook his head.
"Not yet."
She showed him the screen.
Walter studied the message.
"That's not a warning."
"What is it?"
"It's a mistake."
Tessa frowned.
"Why?"
"Because whoever sent it wants us to believe they know what we're doing."
He handed the phone back.
"But they don't know what we already have."
Robert Ellis met Daniel Cross at a small law office outside the county.
He arrived carrying a brown envelope.
He looked tired and nervous.
"I don't want my name in the newspaper," he said.