For a moment, Emily wondered whether the sheriff understood the seriousness of the situation.
She had heard of Sterling Medical Systems before. Everyone in Bellwood had.
The company had invested millions into the local hospital, created hundreds of jobs, and funded several public infrastructure projects.
But the most important detail was what the caller had just told her.
The documents connected to Victoria's detention were already part of an active state investigation.
Emily slowly straightened her posture.
EMILY: "Sir, can you tell me exactly what you're asking us to do?"
DAVID BENNETT: "First, I need you to document this conversation. Second, I need confirmation that Ms. Sterling's personal property and company documents have not been altered or released to anyone."
EMILY: "Her personal belongings are being processed."
DAVID: "And the documents?"
Emily glanced toward the sheriff's office.
"I believe they are still with her vehicle."
DAVID: "Then please make sure nobody removes anything from that vehicle until our legal department has established the chain of custody."
Emily nodded, although the caller could not see her.
EMILY: "Understood."
DAVID: "One more thing. Please ask your sheriff to contact me directly."
The call ended.
Emily carefully placed the receiver back on its cradle.
She remained motionless for several seconds.
Then she looked toward Richard Coleman's office.
The sheriff was still standing behind his desk.
He was speaking on his personal phone, occasionally looking toward the dispatch area.
Emily took a breath.
"Sheriff?"
Richard looked up.
"What now?"
"There's another call concerning Ms. Sterling."
He frowned.
"Who?"
"Her company's legal department."
Richard put his phone down.
"What do they want?"
"They're requesting confirmation that her property and documents haven't been altered."
Richard gave a dismissive laugh.
"Tell them this is a county investigation."
Emily remained serious.
"They also said the documents are connected to an active state investigation."
The sheriff stopped smiling.
"What state investigation?"
"I don't know, sir. They asked you to call their attorney."
Richard walked toward the desk.
"Give me the number."
Emily handed him a small note.
He read it.
Then he looked at her.
"Did they threaten us?"
"No, sir."
"Did they tell you what the investigation concerns?"
"They mentioned the hospital infrastructure contracts."
Richard stared at her.
For the first time that afternoon, he appeared genuinely uncomfortable.
He knew about the hospital.
He knew that Sterling Medical Systems had taken over the facility three years earlier.
And he knew Charles Whitmore.
Whitmore had been a familiar face at local government meetings for years.
He had sponsored charity events, donated to community organizations, and maintained close relationships with several business owners.
Richard had attended more than one event hosted by him.
He also remembered the recent dispute over the hospital construction contracts.
Whitmore had complained repeatedly that the new management had treated his company unfairly.
Richard had never considered the matter particularly important.
Now he was beginning to wonder whether there was something he had not been told.
He returned to his office and closed the door.
Then he dialed the number Emily had provided.
The call connected.
A professional male voice answered.
"David Bennett."
"This is Sheriff Richard Coleman. I understand you've been calling about Victoria Sterling."
DAVID: "Yes, Sheriff. I represent Sterling Medical Systems."
Richard sat down.
"She's being held in connection with an investigation."
DAVID: "What investigation?"
"Interference with a county matter."
DAVID: "That is not a legal description of an offense, Sheriff. What specific conduct are you alleging?"
Richard looked at the arrest report.
"She interfered with an authorized inspection of a restricted property."
DAVID: "What property?"
"The Bellwood technical facility."
There was a pause.
Then David spoke.
"That facility is privately owned and operated by Sterling Medical Systems. What authorization did your department have to inspect or seize equipment from it?"
Richard shifted in his chair.
"We received information about suspicious activity."
DAVID: "From whom?"
Richard did not answer.
David continued.
"Was that information supplied by Charles Whitmore?"
The sheriff looked up.
"Who?"
"Charles Whitmore. Former contractor at Bellwood Regional Medical Center."
Richard leaned back.
"I don't discuss the sources of an investigation over the telephone."
DAVID: "Then perhaps you should discuss the legal basis for Ms. Sterling's detention with your county attorney."
Richard's expression hardened.
"She was arrested because she refused to cooperate."
DAVID: "She is the chief executive officer of the company that owns the facility. She was inspecting her own property."
Richard said nothing.
DAVID: "Sheriff, I am going to be very clear. Our company has an active legal review involving unauthorized equipment removal, questionable invoices, and several contracts connected to the hospital. The relevant documents have already been submitted to the state authorities."
Richard looked at the clock.
"That has nothing to do with the arrest."
DAVID: "It may have everything to do with it."
The call ended.
Richard slowly lowered the telephone.
He stared at the wall.
Then he opened a drawer and removed a folder containing several documents from the previous month's county meetings.
He searched for Whitmore's name.
There it was.
A letter concerning a proposed equipment recovery agreement.
The document had been submitted to a county administrative office.
It claimed that several hospital assets had been transferred improperly after the ownership change.
Richard read the letter again.