"Yes, provided the general agrees."
Bennett walked toward the interview room.
He knocked before entering.
Marcus looked up.
THOMAS BENNETT: "General Ellison?"
Marcus stood.
"Yes."
Bennett presented his credentials.
"I'm Thomas Bennett, federal logistics oversight. This is Captain Lewis and Ms. Carter from the inspection team."
Marcus shook his hand.
"Thank you for coming."
THOMAS BENNETT: "Are you injured?"
"No."
"Do you require medical attention?"
"No, thank you."
Bennett looked at the marks around Marcus's wrists.
"We can document those if necessary."
Marcus glanced down.
"Please include them in the record."
Bennett nodded.
"Understood."
He opened his folder.
"We reviewed the photographs you took at the depot. The equipment serial numbers match the missing inventory entries."
Marcus looked at him.
"Have you identified the receiving location?"
"Not yet."
"Then the vehicle needs to be located."
"We've begun that process."
Marcus sat down.
"Do we know who authorized the transfer?"
Bennett shook his head.
"Not at this stage."
Marcus looked at the folder.
"Then preserve the original records. I don't want anyone relying on copies when the source documents are available."
Bennett agreed.
"We've requested the original inventory files."
Marcus paused.
"One of the workers contacted someone before the sheriff arrived. I believe that call may be relevant."
Bennett wrote it down.
"Did you see the number?"
"No."
"Did you hear the conversation?"
"No. But the worker appeared to be seeking instructions."
Bennett nodded.
"We'll review the surrounding evidence."
Marcus looked toward the door.
"How long will I be here?"
Bennett glanced at the documents.
"We're coordinating with the Pentagon and the county attorney. I expect the legal status of your detention to be reviewed shortly."
Marcus nodded.
"Good."
He paused.
"And Mr. Bennett?"
"Yes, General?"
"Please make sure the people responsible for the equipment are identified. My detention is secondary to the missing assets."
Bennett looked at him.
"Understood."
The federal team left the room.
Marcus sat quietly again.
Outside, the sheriff watched them return to the reception area.
He had expected the federal representatives to arrive angry and demanding.
Instead, they had been professional.
They had asked questions.
They had requested records.
They had examined evidence.
And they had made it clear that the equipment mattered more than the embarrassment of the local department.
That realization made Wallace increasingly uncomfortable.
At 5:05 p.m., Thomas Bennett received a message on his phone.
He read it.
Then he looked toward Captain Lewis.
CAPTAIN LEWIS: "What is it?"
BENNETT: "We've located the utility truck."
"Where?"
"At a private storage facility outside town."
Captain Lewis opened her tablet.
"Is the equipment still there?"
Bennett read the message again.
"At least one container is visible in the latest photograph."
The investigator turned toward the sheriff.
"Do you know where the storage facility is?"
Wallace looked at the address.
His expression changed.
It was registered to a company that had previously worked with the transportation depot.
Bennett noticed his reaction.
THOMAS BENNETT: "Do you recognize the address?"
Wallace hesitated.
"Yes."
"Whose property is it?"
"Charles Bennett's company leases part of it."
Bennett looked at his colleagues.
"Then we need to secure the location through the proper legal process."
He turned back to Wallace.
"We will also need your department's assistance in preserving any local records connected to that property."
Wallace nodded.
The investigation had just taken another step.
And the man who had been placed in cell seventeen was beginning to understand that the unauthorized equipment transfer might be much larger than anyone in Redhaven had expected.
At 5:12 p.m., Natalie received another telephone call.
She answered.
NATALIE: "Redhaven County Sheriff's Office. This is dispatch."
A woman's voice spoke quickly.
CALLER: "I need to speak with Sheriff Wallace. It's about the man you arrested."
Natalie looked at the incoming number.
"May I ask who's calling?"
CALLER: "My name is Patricia Bennett. I work for Redhaven Transportation Services."
Natalie opened a blank message window.
"What is this regarding?"
The caller lowered her voice.
CALLER: "I think your sheriff arrested the wrong person."
Natalie stopped typing.
"Can you explain?"
PATRICIA: "The equipment transfer wasn't authorized. I have copies of the original records."
Natalie looked toward the sheriff's office.
"Do you have those documents with you?"
PATRICIA: "Yes. And I think someone is trying to make them disappear."
Natalie's expression changed.
"Who?"
The caller hesitated.
Then she answered.
PATRICIA: "Charles Bennett."
Natalie slowly wrote down the name.
PATRICIA: "But there's something else you need to know."
Natalie leaned closer to the telephone.
"What is it?"
PATRICIA: "The sheriff's office isn't the only place he contacted before the equipment was moved."
Natalie looked toward the interview room.
"Who else did he contact?"
Patricia's voice became quieter.
PATRICIA: "Someone inside the federal logistics office."
The line suddenly went silent.
Natalie looked at the receiver.
"Ma'am?"
There was no response.
Then the call disconnected.
Natalie remained still.
She looked at the number on the screen.
Then she saved it.
A moment later, she stood and walked toward the sheriff's office.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "What now?"
Natalie looked at him.
NATALIE: "Sheriff, we just received a call from a woman who says she has the original transfer records."
Wallace frowned.
"Who is she?"
"Patricia Bennett. She works for Redhaven Transportation Services."
Wallace glanced toward Thomas Bennett.
The federal investigator had heard the name.
THOMAS BENNETT: "What did she say?"