At 1:30 p.m., Thomas Reed arrived at the sheriff's office to formally notify Richard of the temporary leave.
Richard was waiting in the conference room.
THOMAS REED: "Sheriff Coleman, the county has issued an administrative notice."
Richard took the document.
"I've read it."
THOMAS: "You will remain available for further questioning."
RICHARD: "I understand."
Thomas placed another folder on the table.
"We've also identified communications between you and Charles Whitmore."
Richard looked at the folder.
"Some of those were routine conversations."
THOMAS: "We will determine their relevance."
Richard leaned forward.
"I never agreed to help him steal anything."
Thomas remained calm.
"Did you know that the equipment was owned by Sterling Medical Systems?"
Richard hesitated.
"I knew there was a dispute over ownership."
"Did you verify the contract?"
"No."
"Did you see a valid court order?"
"No."
"Did you see a valid removal authorization?"
Richard looked down.
"I saw a document."
"Did you verify the signature?"
"No."
Thomas wrote something in his notebook.
"Did Whitmore tell you that the county had approved the removal?"
"Yes."
"Did you rely on that statement?"
Richard nodded.
Thomas closed the notebook.
"That will be part of the investigation."
Richard stared at him.
"Do you think I was involved in the fraud?"
Thomas did not answer immediately.
"That is not something I can decide today."
The sheriff looked frustrated.
"I want people to know I didn't knowingly participate in anything illegal."
THOMAS: "Then cooperate fully and provide every communication you have."
Richard nodded.
The interview continued for another hour.
When it ended, Thomas collected the recording and left.
Richard remained in the conference room.
He had not been arrested.
He had not been charged.
But his authority had been suspended, and his decisions were now under scrutiny.
For the first time in many years, he had no control over what happened next.
At 3:10 p.m., Victoria received a call from Laura Bennett.
LAURA: "The county has placed Sheriff Coleman on administrative leave."
VICTORIA: "I heard."
LAURA: "The state has also obtained evidence suggesting that the authorization was falsified."
Victoria looked through the glass wall of her office.
"Have they identified who changed it?"
"Not conclusively. But Whitmore's communications are becoming important."
Victoria nodded.
"How is the hospital?"
"Daniel says the emergency systems are operating normally."
"Good."
Laura paused.
"There is something I want to discuss with you."
Victoria sat down.
"Go ahead."
"Some people may suggest that you use the incident to pursue a large financial settlement."
Victoria looked at her.
"What do you recommend?"
"Legally, we have several options. We can pursue claims related to the detention, the attempted interference with company property, and any financial losses that can be established."
Victoria remained silent.
Laura continued.
"But we should separate the legal process from the public response."
Victoria nodded.
"I agree."
"Do you want to make a statement?"
"Not yet."
"Understood."
Victoria looked at the clock.
"I want the investigation completed first. I don't want to turn this into a public argument before we know exactly who was involved."
Laura agreed.
"That is sensible."
Victoria ended the call.
Then she walked toward the conference room.
Daniel was reviewing the audit results.
DANIEL: "We've found another connection."
Victoria stopped.
"What is it?"
Daniel turned his laptop toward her.
"One of the subcontractors received payments from Westbridge Development shortly after the disputed equipment invoices were approved."
Victoria examined the records.
"Who owns the subcontractor?"
Daniel opened another document.
"An investment company called Bellwood Infrastructure Partners."
Victoria looked at the registration details.
"Who is the director?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Peter Lawson's brother."
Victoria stared at the screen.
The connection was significant.
It did not prove that Peter had participated in the fraud.
But it showed that the disputed contracts involved people with personal and financial relationships.
Victoria sat down.
"Send this to the investigators."
Daniel nodded.
"Already prepared."
Victoria looked at the financial summary.
The company had paid for equipment that was never delivered.
The same equipment had appeared on the removal list.
The paperwork had been modified.
And the county account had been used without proper authorization.
She looked at Daniel.
"How much money are we talking about?"
"At least 1.8 million dollars in questionable payments. The figure could increase when we review the older invoices."
Victoria slowly exhaled.
"Then this is not just about the equipment."
"No."
"It's about the entire contract."
Daniel nodded.
Victoria closed the laptop.
"Continue the audit. We need to know where every dollar went."
That evening, Thomas Reed received the full financial report.
He shared the findings with the investigative director.
The director authorized additional interviews and a forensic review of the county account.
The investigation continued for several weeks.
During that period, the state obtained copies of the original contracts, payment records, work orders, emails, and dispatch recordings.
The evidence began to form a clear timeline.
Westbridge Development had lost its hospital maintenance contract after failing to meet several performance requirements.
The company disputed the termination.
Instead of pursuing the matter through the ordinary legal process, Whitmore had attempted to recover equipment that he claimed belonged to the original project.
He had submitted documents suggesting that the county had authorized the removal.
The documents were not valid.
The equipment had been purchased by Sterling Medical Systems and was part of the hospital's emergency infrastructure.