Captain Lewis found a telephone number registered to the company.
She called.
A receptionist answered.
CAPTAIN LEWIS: "Good afternoon. I'm trying to reach Patricia Bennett."
RECEPTIONIST: "She's not here."
"Do you know where she is?"
"I believe she left early."
"Did she say why?"
The receptionist hesitated.
"She said she had a family matter."
Captain Lewis asked whether Patricia had left any message.
The receptionist said no.
The call ended.
Captain Lewis looked at Thomas.
CAPTAIN LEWIS: "She's not at the office."
Thomas frowned.
"Can we establish whether she left voluntarily?"
"We're checking."
He looked toward the sheriff.
"Has anyone from your department contacted her?"
Wallace shook his head.
"Not that I know of."
Thomas looked at him carefully.
"Please make sure nobody contacts her on behalf of the department."
Wallace nodded.
"Understood."
Thomas returned to his colleagues.
He had a feeling Patricia's call had not been accidental.
She had waited until the situation became serious enough to contact the sheriff's office.
And she had disconnected immediately after mentioning a possible federal connection.
He needed to speak with her before anyone else could influence her account.
At 6:02 p.m., Marcus Ellison was still in the interview room.
He had been given water and a meal, but he had not been formally released.
The sheriff had stopped treating him like an ordinary detainee.
However, Marcus had made it clear that he did not want anyone to alter the records simply to make the department look better.
He wanted the incident documented accurately.
Natalie entered the room carrying a printed form.
NATALIE: "General Ellison, the county attorney has requested an update on your detention."
Marcus looked up.
"Has a decision been made?"
"Not yet, sir."
He nodded.
"Thank you."
Natalie placed the form on the table.
"This is a copy of your property inventory."
Marcus examined it.
The document case was listed as sealed property.
His identification card was listed separately.
His personal phone and wallet were also recorded.
He noticed that the time of the property entry was incorrect.
MARCUS: "This says the case was received at 3:16 p.m."
Natalie checked the screen.
"Yes, sir."
"It was handed over before that. I entered the building at approximately 2:55."
Natalie looked at the form.
"I'll check the original entry."
Marcus pointed to another line.
"The case should be identified as government inspection material, not personal luggage."
Natalie nodded.
"You're right. I'll make a correction through the formal process and retain the original entry."
Marcus looked at her.
"Thank you. Please don't erase the first version."
NATALIE: "I won't."
She collected the form.
Before leaving, she hesitated.
"General?"
"Yes?"
"I want you to know that I didn't understand who you were when you first arrived."
Marcus gave a small nod.
"That isn't a problem."
Natalie looked uncomfortable.
"I should have asked more questions."
Marcus considered her words.
"You did ask questions. The important thing is what happens after someone gives you information that needs to be verified."
Natalie nodded.
"I understand."
He continued.
"Your job is to record what happens accurately. Don't let anyone pressure you into changing the facts."
Natalie looked at him.
"I won't."
She left the room.
Marcus sat quietly.
He was aware that his rank had changed the way people treated him.
The sheriff was suddenly polite.
The corrections officers were more careful.
The telephone calls were being returned.
But Marcus knew that the real issue was not how he was being treated now.
It was how the department had treated him before anyone recognized his identity.
He thought about the thousands of people who passed through local police stations every year.
Some had no government identification.
Some had no attorney.
Some did not know how to challenge an inaccurate report.
They could be frightened, confused, or unable to explain their circumstances.
If an officer decided that their questions were a sign of disrespect, the consequences could be serious.
Marcus had seen authority misused in other environments.
He had always believed that discipline began with accountability.
That principle applied to every level of command.
At 6:18 p.m., Robert Ellis entered the interview room.
He carried a folder and sat opposite Marcus.
ROBERT ELLIS: "General Ellison, I'm Robert Ellis, the county attorney."
Marcus nodded.
"Good evening."
ROBERT: "I've reviewed the initial arrest report and spoken with Sheriff Wallace."
Marcus waited.
ROBERT: "I have serious concerns about the legal basis for the detention."
MARCUS: "What concerns?"
ROBERT: "The report does not identify a specific lawful order that you refused to obey. It also does not establish how your conduct obstructed a legitimate investigation."
Marcus remained silent.
Robert continued.
"The county is reviewing whether the obstruction and disorderly conduct charges can be supported by the available evidence."
Marcus looked at him.
"Was the ownership of the equipment verified?"
Robert shook his head.
"Not before the arrest."
"Was the removal authorization verified?"
"Not yet."
Marcus nodded.
"Then the review should include the workers who were removing the containers."
ROBERT: "It will."
"And the person who reported me?"
Robert opened his folder.
"We have identified a contractor named Charles Bennett."
Marcus looked at him.
"Was he present when I arrived?"
"According to the initial information, yes."
Marcus nodded.
Robert studied him.
"General, I want to ask you something. Did you identify yourself as a general to the sheriff?"