Natalie turned toward him.
"She said the transfer wasn't authorized. She also claimed that someone inside the federal logistics office had been contacted."
Thomas's expression became serious.
He took out his notebook.
"Did she give you a telephone number?"
Natalie showed him the screen.
Thomas copied it.
Then he looked at the sheriff.
THOMAS BENNETT: "We need to speak with this woman immediately."
Wallace nodded.
Thomas turned toward Captain Lewis.
"Check the number through the appropriate channels. Do not call it back until we establish who owns it."
Captain Lewis stepped away.
Thomas looked toward the interview room.
The situation had changed again.
If Patricia Bennett's claim was accurate, the equipment removal might involve someone with access to federal logistics information.
And if that person had helped arrange the transfer, the investigation would no longer be limited to a local contractor and county officials.
Thomas returned to Marcus's room.
He knocked.
Marcus looked up.
THOMAS BENNETT: "General, we have a new development."
Marcus stood.
"What happened?"
Bennett explained the telephone call.
Marcus listened carefully.
When the investigator finished, he looked at him.
"Did she say who inside the federal office was involved?"
"Not yet."
Marcus remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Find Patricia Bennett. Preserve her original records. And do not assume that everyone involved in this transfer is outside the federal system."
Bennett nodded.
"That is exactly what we're examining."
Marcus looked toward the corridor.
The sheriff was standing near the reception desk.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Then Marcus turned back to the investigator.
"There's one more thing."
Bennett waited.
MARCUS: "If someone inside the federal logistics office knew about my inspection schedule, they may also have known which equipment I was coming to examine."
Bennett's expression tightened.
"That would explain how the transfer was prepared before your arrival."
Marcus nodded.
"And it would explain why the workers were so determined to remove those containers before I could inspect them."
Bennett closed his folder.
"I'll notify Colonel Harris immediately."
He left the room.
Marcus sat down again.
He had come to Redhaven expecting to inspect a quiet transportation depot.
Instead, he had uncovered a possible attempt to move government equipment using false authorization.
He had been arrested.
The sheriff's department was under review.
The Pentagon had intervened.
And now a witness was claiming that someone inside the federal system might have helped arrange the transfer.
The most troubling part was that the person responsible could still have access to the very records Marcus had been assigned to protect.
Outside, Thomas Bennett was already speaking with Colonel Harris.
THOMAS BENNETT: "Colonel, we have a witness claiming that someone inside the federal logistics office was contacted before the equipment was moved."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Do we have a name?"
"Not yet."
"Who is the witness?"
"Patricia Bennett. She works for the transportation service."
Harris paused.
"Does she have the original transfer documents?"
"She claims she does."
"Secure the documents through the proper process. And limit access to the inspection schedule."
Bennett looked toward the holding corridor.
"There's another concern."
"What is it?"
"General Ellison believes someone may have known his inspection schedule in advance."
Harris became silent.
Then he spoke carefully.
COLONEL HARRIS: "Thomas, if that is true, we may have a breach inside the logistics operation."
Bennett nodded.
"That's our concern."
Harris ended the call and immediately opened a secure contact list.
He searched for the senior officer responsible for coordinating the regional equipment review.
The name appeared.
Colonel Michael Grant.
Harris stared at it.
Grant had been part of the logistics review team for more than a year.
He had access to inspection schedules.
He had access to inventory records.
And he had been one of the officers who approved the preliminary review of the Redhaven depot.
Harris picked up the telephone.
The call connected.
COLONEL GRANT: "Grant speaking."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Michael, I need to ask you about the Redhaven inspection."
There was a brief pause.
COLONEL GRANT: "What about it?"
Harris looked at the schedule on his screen.
"Who had access to General Ellison's assignment details?"
Grant answered quickly.
"Only the authorized logistics team."
Harris looked at the list of names.
"Was the schedule shared with anyone outside that team?"
"No."
Harris remained silent.
Then he asked another question.
"Did you communicate with Charles Bennett or anyone connected to Redhaven Transportation Services?"
This time, the pause was longer.
COLONEL GRANT: "Why are you asking me that?"
Harris leaned back.
"Because we have evidence that someone may have known about the inspection before General Ellison arrived."
Grant's voice became noticeably colder.
"I don't know anything about that."
Harris stared at the telephone.
"Then I expect you'll have no problem cooperating with the review."
COLONEL GRANT: "Of course."
The call ended.
Harris did not move.
He looked at the name on his screen again.
Then he opened the access history.
A new notification appeared.
Someone had just attempted to access the Redhaven inspection schedule.
The request had come from an account assigned to Colonel Michael Grant.
Harris stared at the screen.
The account was still active.
And the access request had been made less than two minutes after their conversation ended.
Colonel Andrew Harris stared at the access notification on his computer.
The request had been submitted using Colonel Michael Grant's official account.