"What do they contain?"
"I don't know exactly."
"How do you know they exist?"
"Because I delivered them once."
"To whom?"
"Adrian Pike."
Cross leaned forward.
"When?"
"About two months ago."
"Why?"
"Hollister told me to take an envelope to the warehouse."
"Did you open it?"
"No."
"Did you see anything?"
Lane hesitated.
"There was a list of vehicle registrations on the first page."
Cross wrote it down.
"Anything else?"
"Several names."
"Whose names?"
"I recognized two deputies. One was Mercer. The other was me."
Cross looked at him.
"Did you receive money?"
Lane's face tightened.
"No."
"Did you receive anything from North Ridge?"
"A fuel card."
"Who gave it to you?"
"Pike."
"Did you use it?"
Lane nodded.
"Yes."
Cross closed his notebook.
"That will need to be documented."
Lane looked at him.
"I know."
Hollister learned about Lane's interview before the end of the day.
He did not receive the information from Cross.
He received it from a deputy who had been listening to conversations near the dispatch desk.
The sheriff stood in his office and stared at the wall.
For seventeen years, he had controlled the department through loyalty, fear, and favors.
He had helped people when they needed help.
He had protected deputies who made mistakes.
He had used his influence to keep the county functioning when budgets were tight.
At least, that was how he had justified it.
But he had also allowed Pike to use county resources for private purposes.
He had accepted payments disguised as donations.
He had pressured witnesses.
And he had approved the transfer of equipment that did not belong in a private warehouse.
Now the people he had protected were beginning to protect themselves.
Hollister picked up his phone.
He called Pike again.
No answer.
He called a second number.
The call went directly to voicemail.
He sent a message.
We need to meet.
No response.
He stared at the screen.
Then he opened the locked cabinet.
Inside were several folders, a notebook, and a small external drive.
He removed the notebook.
The first page contained a list of dates.
The second contained vehicle numbers.
The third contained payment amounts.
He flipped through the pages.
His own handwriting filled the margins.
He closed the notebook.
For the first time in years, he considered leaving town.
Then he heard footsteps outside.
A knock sounded.
"Sheriff?"
He shoved the notebook into the drawer.
"What?"
Deputy Mercer entered.
"There's someone here to see you."
"Who?"
"Federal agents."
Hollister looked at him.
"How many?"
"Three."
The sheriff slowly stood.
"Tell them I'll be right out."
Mercer did not move.
"Sir?"
"What?"
"I need to tell you something."
Hollister stared at him.
Mercer swallowed.
"I won't sign the statement."
The sheriff's face hardened.
"What statement?"
"The one saying Walter resisted."
Hollister walked around the desk.
"You've already made your decision?"
"I can't say something that isn't true."
"You assaulted him."
Mercer looked down.
"I know."
"Then you need to understand what happens next."
"I do."
"No, you don't."
Hollister stepped closer.
"If you tell them everything, you won't just lose your job. You'll lose your pension. You'll lose your reputation. You could go to prison."
Mercer looked at him.
"I know."
"Then why?"
Mercer took a breath.
"Because I already did something I can't take back."
Hollister stared at him.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then the sheriff pointed toward the door.
"Get out."
Mercer nodded.
He turned and left.
Hollister watched him go.
The man he had once considered dependable had become another problem.
The federal agents entered the sheriff's office at 4:12 p.m.
They presented the relevant documents and explained that they were conducting a lawful investigation into possible evidence tampering, obstruction, and the unauthorized handling of government equipment.
Hollister read the documents.
He did not object to the search request.
He knew that doing so would only make the situation worse.
But he did object when they asked him to surrender his personal notebook.
"That's my property."
The lead agent remained calm.
"We have authorization to search the office and collect records relevant to the investigation."
"That notebook contains personal information."
"Then we will handle it according to the terms of the warrant."
Hollister looked at the document again.
His signature was not required.
The warrant had been issued by a judge.
He stepped aside.
The agents began documenting the room.
They photographed the desk, the cabinet, and the filing shelves.
One agent located the notebook.
Another found the external drive.
A third began reviewing the department's computer records.
Hollister stood near the window.
He watched as the notebook was placed into an evidence bag.
Then he saw the external drive.
His expression changed.
"What's that?"
The agent looked at him.
"An external storage device."
"That's personal."
"We'll document it."
Hollister stepped forward.
"I said that's personal."
The lead agent raised one hand.
"Please remain where you are, Sheriff."
Hollister stopped.
The agent continued working.