"There's something else."
He placed another document on the table.
It was a copy of an internal company authorization.
The document showed that the equipment scheduled for removal included components of the hospital's emergency communications network.
Thomas looked directly at Richard.
"Do you understand what would have happened if this equipment had been removed?"
The sheriff did not answer.
Thomas continued.
"That system supports emergency medical operations across the region. It is not ordinary construction material."
Richard stared at the document.
The room remained silent.
Then Thomas asked another question.
"Who told you that Ms. Sterling was interfering with an authorized inspection?"
Richard slowly raised his eyes.
He knew the answer.
But before he could speak, the conference room telephone rang.
Robert looked at the screen.
The incoming call was from the state investigative director.
Thomas picked up the receiver.
"Reed speaking."
He listened.
His expression changed.
He looked toward Richard.
Then toward the document on the table.
Finally, he spoke.
"Understood. I'll handle it."
He ended the call.
Robert stood.
"What happened?"
Thomas placed the receiver down.
"We've just received additional information."
Richard leaned forward.
"What information?"
Thomas looked directly at him.
"The equipment removal wasn't the only thing being investigated."
He paused.
"We've found evidence suggesting that the authorization documents may have been deliberately falsified."
Richard's face became tense.
Thomas opened his briefcase and removed another folder.
"And the name appearing on the original communication is not the only name we're interested in."
He placed the folder on the table.
The first page contained a list of individuals connected to the disputed contracts.
Several company representatives.
Two administrative officials.
And one local law enforcement contact.
Richard looked down.
His expression changed.
Because the name at the bottom of the page was his.
SHERIFF RICHARD COLEMAN.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
The sheriff stared at the document.
Then he looked at Thomas.
"Where did you get that?"
Thomas closed the folder.
"That's exactly what we're here to establish."
Thomas Reed did not raise his voice.
He did not need to.
The document lying on the conference room table had already changed the atmosphere inside the sheriff's office. Richard Coleman stared at his own name as if he were seeing it for the first time.
Robert Ellis slowly pulled the folder closer.
ROBERT ELLIS: "Thomas, are you saying the sheriff is a subject of this investigation?"
THOMAS REED: "I'm saying his name appears in communications connected to the disputed authorization. We are not making conclusions before reviewing the evidence."
RICHARD COLEMAN: "This is ridiculous. I have never authorized anyone to remove medical equipment."
THOMAS REED: "Then you should have no difficulty explaining the communications."
Richard stood up.
RICHARD COLEMAN: "I want to know exactly what you're accusing me of."
THOMAS REED: "I'm not accusing you of anything in this room. I'm asking you to cooperate with an official investigation."
The sheriff looked toward Robert.
RICHARD COLEMAN: "I'm not answering questions without counsel."
THOMAS REED: "You are entitled to seek counsel. In the meantime, I need the department to preserve all relevant records."
Robert nodded.
ROBERT ELLIS: "We'll issue the preservation instruction immediately."
THOMAS REED: "That includes emails, dispatch recordings, body-camera footage, vehicle GPS records, booking records, call logs, internal messages, and any documents connected to Charles Whitmore or Westbridge Development."
Richard's jaw tightened.
RICHARD COLEMAN: "You can't just walk in here and take over my department."
THOMAS REED: "Nobody is taking over your department. We're asking you not to interfere with evidence that may be relevant to a state investigation."
The distinction was clear.
But Richard did not like hearing it.
For years, he had been accustomed to being the person who asked the questions. He was used to people standing in front of his desk, explaining themselves, waiting for his decisions.
Now he was the one being asked to explain.
Thomas collected his documents.
THOMAS REED: "I will need a complete copy of the original arrest report before the end of the day. I also want to speak with Deputy Aaron Mitchell."
Richard immediately looked up.
RICHARD COLEMAN: "Why Mitchell?"
THOMAS REED: "He was involved in the initial stop."
RICHARD COLEMAN: "He followed my instructions."
THOMAS REED: "Then he can explain what those instructions were."
Thomas left the conference room.
Robert remained seated.
Richard turned toward him.
RICHARD COLEMAN: "You need to make this clear to them. This was a routine arrest."
ROBERT ELLIS: "I can't describe it as routine until I've reviewed the evidence."
RICHARD COLEMAN: "She was obstructing an investigation."
ROBERT ELLIS: "What investigation?"
Richard opened his mouth.
Then he stopped.
The answer was no longer as simple as it had seemed earlier.
Robert closed the folder.
ROBERT ELLIS: "Richard, I need you to understand something. If the arrest was based on information supplied by Whitmore, and that information was false, we have a serious problem."
RICHARD COLEMAN: "I didn't know it was false."
ROBERT ELLIS: "Then we need to establish what you knew and when you knew it."
Richard looked away.
Outside the conference room, Emily Parker was speaking quietly with another dispatcher.
She had heard enough to understand that the investigation was no longer limited to Victoria's arrest.
When Thomas approached the desk, she immediately stood.