"He said he had a contact who could confirm the inventory status."
"Did he identify the person?"
Patricia opened her laptop.
She searched through her email.
Then she turned the screen toward Thomas.
There was a message from Charles Bennett.
The subject line read:
"REDHAVEN EQUIPMENT MOVEMENT – FINAL CONFIRMATION."
Thomas read the message.
It stated that the transfer schedule had been reviewed by an authorized federal contact.
At the bottom was a name.
MICHAEL GRANT.
Thomas looked up.
"Do you know Colonel Grant?"
Patricia shook her head.
"No. I've never met him."
"Did Charles tell you how he knew him?"
"He said they had spoken several times about the inventory review."
Thomas examined the message again.
"Can we preserve this email?"
"Yes."
"Do you have the original message in your account?"
Patricia nodded.
Thomas asked her not to forward or delete anything until the technical team had secured the original data.
He then photographed the documents and recorded their identifying details.
The interview continued for another forty minutes.
Patricia explained that the equipment had been listed for temporary storage at a private warehouse.
The warehouse belonged to a company associated with Charles Bennett.
However, the movement records showed no approved receiving authority.
She also revealed that Charles had asked her to change the destination code after the first shipment had been prepared.
She refused.
That was when he became aggressive.
PATRICIA: "He told me that I was putting my job at risk."
THOMAS: "Did he threaten you physically?"
"No. But he said that people who caused problems in this company didn't stay employed for long."
Thomas nodded.
"Why did you call the sheriff's office?"
Patricia looked down.
"Because I heard that someone had been arrested at the depot."
"How did you know?"
"My supervisor called me. He said the person had interfered with the transfer."
"Did he identify the person?"
"Not at first. Then he mentioned that the man had been taken away by the sheriff."
Thomas waited.
Patricia continued.
"I knew the person at the depot was probably the inspector. I had seen the inspection schedule. I knew someone was coming to verify the equipment."
Thomas looked at her.
"Did you know it was General Ellison?"
"No. I only knew an authorized inspector was expected."
"Then why did you contact the sheriff's office?"
"Because I realized that if the inspector had been arrested, the equipment might disappear before anyone could verify the records."
Thomas closed his notebook.
"Thank you, Ms. Bennett."
Patricia looked at him.
"Will I be in trouble?"
THOMAS: "You have provided information and documents relevant to an investigation. Your cooperation will be documented. If you have concerns about retaliation, tell us immediately."
Patricia nodded.
"I just want the truth to come out."
Thomas stood.
"We'll make sure your original records are preserved."
He and Captain Lewis left the motel.
Outside, Thomas immediately called Colonel Harris.
THOMAS BENNETT: "Colonel, we found Patricia Bennett."
COLONEL HARRIS: "What does she have?"
"Original transfer documents and an email referencing Colonel Michael Grant."
Harris became silent.
THOMAS: "The email claims that the transfer schedule was reviewed by an authorized federal contact."
HARRIS: "Did she identify Grant directly?"
"Yes. His name appears in the message."
Harris exhaled.
"Send me the document through the secure channel. Do not circulate it beyond the investigative team."
THOMAS: "Understood."
HARRIS: "We're already examining an access attempt from Grant's account."
Thomas looked toward the road.
"Then the two pieces of evidence may be connected."
HARRIS: "That's what we're trying to establish."
The call ended.
At 7:30 p.m., Marcus was informed that the county attorney had completed the initial review of his arrest.
Robert Ellis returned to the interview room.
He placed a document on the table.
ROBERT ELLIS: "General Ellison, the county has decided not to proceed with the current obstruction and disorderly conduct charges."
Marcus looked at the paper.
"Is that the formal release order?"
Robert nodded.
"Yes. The detention will end once the release procedure is completed."
Marcus read the document carefully.
He checked the date, the case number, and the stated reason for release.
Then he signed the acknowledgment.
MARCUS: "I would like a copy."
ROBERT: "You'll receive one."
Marcus handed the document back.
"Thank you."
Robert remained seated.
"I also want to apologize for the way this matter was handled."
Marcus looked at him.
"Are you speaking on behalf of the county?"
"Yes."
Marcus nodded.
"Then I accept that the county recognizes there were failures in the process."
Robert looked relieved, but Marcus continued.
"However, an apology does not replace an investigation."
ROBERT: "I understand."
"The equipment is still missing. The people who arranged the transfer need to be identified."
Robert nodded.
"The federal investigators are working on that."
Marcus stood.
"Good."
A corrections officer entered with his personal belongings.
The wallet.
The watch.
The keys.
The phone.
And the sealed black document case.
Marcus checked each item.
He examined the seal on the case.
It appeared intact.
He signed the property receipt.
Then he looked at the sheriff.
Wallace was standing near the reception desk.
The two men approached each other.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "General Ellison."
Marcus stopped.
"Yes, Sheriff?"
Wallace looked uncomfortable.
"I want to apologize for the misunderstanding."
Marcus studied him.
"Do you believe it was a misunderstanding?"
Wallace swallowed.
"I acted on information that I believed was reliable."