She had spent the drive reviewing the information Cross had provided. She knew that the missing equipment investigation was sensitive. She also knew her father had been asked to assist because of his technical background.
What she had not known was that he had become a target.
The driver glanced at her.
"Commander, we're about five minutes out."
"Thank you."
She looked through the window.
Pine Ridge was smaller than she remembered. A few stores remained open along the main road, but most of the buildings were dark. The town had the quiet appearance of a place that had been losing people for years.
The sheriff's station stood beside the county courthouse.
A flag moved slowly above the entrance.
Tessa looked at it for a moment.
Then she straightened her uniform.
"Please take me to the front entrance."
The sedan stopped.
Tessa stepped out.
Daniel Cross was waiting near the door.
"Commander."
"Where is he?"
"Inside. He's been examined by a medical professional. His condition appears stable, but we're arranging a hospital evaluation."
"Is he still detained?"
"No. We have confirmed that the department has no sufficient basis to continue holding him. The prosecutor's office is reviewing the circumstances."
Tessa's expression did not change.
"Who assaulted him?"
"Deputy Cole Mercer."
"And the sheriff?"
"Present during the later discussion. We are still establishing what he knew before and after the incident."
Tessa looked at the building.
"Where is Mercer now?"
"His office. He has been instructed not to interfere with evidence preservation."
"Has the sheriff been notified that I am here?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Cross studied her.
"Commander, I want to be clear. This is a civilian law enforcement matter. Your presence does not give you authority over the sheriff or his deputies."
"I know."
"We will handle the investigation through the appropriate channels."
"That's why I'm here."
She looked at him.
"I'm not asking you to give me control. I'm asking you to make sure nobody destroys evidence while everyone is busy deciding whose authority matters most."
Cross nodded.
"That's already underway."
"Then let's see my father."
They entered the building.
The station became noticeably quieter as Tessa walked through the front corridor.
A dispatcher looked up from her desk.
A deputy near the water cooler stopped speaking.
Two officers exchanged glances.
Tessa did not acknowledge them.
She followed Cross to Interview Room Two.
When the door opened, Walter was sitting at the table with a blanket around his shoulders.
He looked older than she remembered.
Not because of the gray hair or the wrinkles around his eyes.
Because he was tired.
His left cheek was swollen. A small bandage covered the cut near his temple. His shirt was wrinkled, and his jacket had been placed carefully over the back of the chair.
Tessa stopped.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Walter smiled faintly.
"Hello, kid."
Tessa crossed the room.
"Dad."
She bent down and hugged him carefully, avoiding his injured shoulder.
Walter closed his eyes.
"I'm all right."
"Don't."
He opened his eyes.
"Don't what?"
"Don't tell me you're all right when your face looks like that."
Walter gave a small laugh.
"I've looked worse."
"That doesn't make this acceptable."
She stepped back and examined his face.
"Did they take you to a hospital?"
"Not yet."
"Then we're going."
"I was waiting for you."
Tessa looked at him.
"You should never have had to wait."
Walter lowered his eyes.
For a few seconds, the room was quiet.
Then he reached for her hand.
"I'm sorry."
Tessa frowned.
"For what?"
"For bringing you into this."
She looked at him for a long moment.
Then she shook her head.
"You didn't bring me into anything. Someone hurt my father. I came to make sure the proper people knew about it."
Walter smiled faintly.
"That sounds like something your mother would have said."
Tessa's expression softened.
"She would have been furious."
"She would have been."
They stood together for another moment.
Then Cross cleared his throat.
"Commander, we need to discuss the recording and the equipment investigation."
Tessa nodded.
"Of course."
Walter sat back down.
"Before that," he said, "there's something you both need to know."
Cross pulled out a chair.
"What is it?"
Walter looked at his daughter.
"The truck I saw outside the storage facility wasn't just carrying a relay."
Tessa frowned.
"What else?"
"A portable encryption module."
Cross's expression changed.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
"How certain?"
Walter reached into his jacket.
He removed a small folded piece of paper.
"I wrote down the configuration before I left the area."
Cross took it.
The paper contained several handwritten numbers, followed by a short description.
He read it twice.
"Where did you get this?"
"I recognized the mounting bracket. The module itself was covered, but the connector assembly was visible."
Tessa leaned forward.
"What does that mean?"
Walter looked at her.
"It means the equipment may still be operational."
Cross placed the paper inside his folder.
"That's significant."
"There's more."
Walter paused.