"That's what it appears to be."
Victoria looked down at the table.
"Did they mention the sheriff?"
Laura paused.
"His name appears in some of the communications. The investigators are trying to establish what role he played."
Victoria did not look surprised.
"Then they need the original dispatch recording."
"Thomas Reed has already requested it."
"And the body-camera footage?"
"They have reviewed it."
Victoria looked toward the door.
"Good."
Laura sat across from her.
"Victoria, I need you to understand that the investigation may take time. Even if the state believes your arrest was improper, they will need to complete the legal process."
"I understand."
"We are preparing an emergency request for your release. The county attorney has also been asked to review the charges."
Victoria folded her hands.
"I don't want anyone to make a decision simply because of my position."
Laura looked at her carefully.
"That's not what we're asking for."
"Then make sure the evidence speaks for itself."
Laura nodded.
"That's exactly what we're doing."
Victoria looked through the small window in the door.
She could hear footsteps moving along the corridor.
Somewhere outside, a telephone rang.
The station was still operating, but the atmosphere had become different.
People were speaking more quietly.
Doors were closing.
Documents were being gathered.
And the sheriff, who had seemed so confident only a few hours earlier, was now facing questions he could not easily dismiss.
At 6:47 p.m., Charles Whitmore finally arrived at the sheriff's office.
He entered through the main doors wearing a dark blue suit and carrying a leather briefcase.
He looked irritated.
He approached the reception desk.
CHARLES WHITMORE: "I need to see Sheriff Coleman."
Emily looked up.
"Do you have an appointment?"
CHARLES WHITMORE: "He knows I'm coming."
Emily picked up the telephone.
Before she could call Richard, the sheriff's office door opened.
Richard stepped into the corridor.
"Charles."
Whitmore turned.
"Richard. We need to talk."
The sheriff looked toward the conference room.
"Not here."
Whitmore lowered his voice.
"Then let's go somewhere private."
Richard did not move.
"Have you spoken to anyone from the state?"
Whitmore's expression changed slightly.
"Why would I?"
"Because they're investigating the equipment authorization."
Whitmore gave a short laugh.
"That's a corporate dispute. It has nothing to do with us."
Richard stared at him.
"They have your company's name on the documents."
"Of course they do. We were involved in the original contract."
"They also have my name."
Whitmore's smile disappeared.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he looked toward the reception desk.
"Can we speak privately?"
Richard led him into the office.
The door closed.
Emily could hear their voices through the glass, but she could not make out every word.
Whitmore placed his briefcase on the desk.
CHARLES WHITMORE: "You need to calm down. This is being exaggerated."
RICHARD COLEMAN: "You told me the county had approved the equipment recovery."
CHARLES WHITMORE: "The county was aware of the dispute."
RICHARD COLEMAN: "That isn't the same thing."
Whitmore opened his briefcase and removed a folder.
CHARLES WHITMORE: "I have documents showing our contractual rights."
Richard did not take them.
"I want to see the actual authorization."
Whitmore pushed the folder closer.
"Everything is in there."
Richard opened it.
The first page was a summary of the original contract.
The second page contained an inventory list.
The third page was a letter from a county administrative office.
Richard read it.
Then he looked at the signature.
RICHARD COLEMAN: "Who signed this?"
CHARLES WHITMORE: "The administrative office."
"Which person?"
Whitmore avoided his eyes.
"I don't remember."
Richard placed the document on the desk.
"Charles, this is a copy."
"So?"
"Where is the original?"
Whitmore's expression hardened.
"Why are you suddenly questioning everything?"
Richard leaned forward.
"Because the state investigator is questioning everything."
Whitmore lowered his voice.
"Then you need to keep them away from the facility records."
Richard stared at him.
"What?"
Whitmore seemed to realize what he had said.
He immediately corrected himself.
"I mean, the records are confidential."
Richard stood.
"Are you asking me to interfere with a state investigation?"
"Don't twist my words."
"Then explain what you mean."
Whitmore closed the folder.
"You arrested Sterling. That's what matters. She can't continue disrupting the operation."
Richard looked at him.
"She's in custody because I believed your information."
Whitmore gave a small shrug.
"You made your decision."
Richard's face changed.
For the first time, he understood that Whitmore was not going to protect him.
The contractor had come to the station to protect himself.
Before Richard could respond, there was a knock at the office door.
Thomas Reed entered.
THOMAS REED: "Mr. Whitmore?"
Whitmore turned sharply.
"Who are you?"
THOMAS REED: "Thomas Reed, state investigative division."
Whitmore's face tightened.
THOMAS REED: "I understand you are connected to Westbridge Development."
CHARLES WHITMORE: "I'm a former contractor. I have nothing to hide."
THOMAS REED: "Then I would like to speak with you."
Whitmore glanced at Richard.
The sheriff did not say anything.
Thomas continued.
"We have a few questions about the equipment authorization and the documents submitted to the county."
Whitmore picked up his briefcase.
"I'll have my attorney contact you."
THOMAS REED: "That's your right."
Whitmore walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned toward Richard.