NATALIE: "The Department of Defense duty office. They asked to speak with General Marcus Ellison."
The sheriff's expression tightened.
"Why would the Pentagon be calling this station?"
Natalie hesitated.
"Because General Ellison is being held here."
Wallace looked at her as if she had just made an accusation.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "You told them that?"
NATALIE: "They asked whether he was in our custody. I confirmed the booking record."
The sheriff stepped toward the desk.
"Put the call through."
Natalie returned to her chair and released the hold.
Wallace picked up the receiver.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "This is Sheriff Raymond Wallace. Who am I speaking with?"
A deep, controlled voice answered.
COLONEL ANDREW HARRIS: "Colonel Andrew Harris, Department of Defense. I am calling regarding General Marcus Ellison."
Wallace straightened.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "All right. What seems to be the problem?"
COLONEL HARRIS: "The problem, Sheriff, is that General Ellison was scheduled to attend a secure briefing at the Pentagon. He failed to arrive, and we have now been informed that he is being held at your facility."
Wallace looked toward Natalie.
She was pretending to concentrate on her computer.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "We have a subject here who was arrested for obstruction and disorderly conduct. If that's the person you're referring to, we can discuss the matter."
COLONEL HARRIS: "I am not referring to a subject. I am referring to Major General Marcus Ellison, United States Army."
The sheriff's fingers tightened around the receiver.
COLONEL HARRIS: "He is a three-star general assigned to a federal logistics oversight operation. His presence at your station is a matter of immediate concern."
Wallace looked down at the arrest report.
The name was clearly printed at the top.
Marcus Ellison.
He remembered the man's identification card.
He remembered the calm way he had explained his assignment.
And he remembered dismissing every attempt Marcus had made to clarify the situation.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "There may have been some confusion."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Then I suggest you resolve it immediately."
Wallace swallowed.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "He was involved in an incident at a local property."
COLONEL HARRIS: "What property?"
"The old transportation depot."
There was a brief pause.
COLONEL HARRIS: "Was he conducting an authorized inspection?"
Wallace looked toward the conference room.
"I would need to review the paperwork."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Sheriff, General Ellison's assignment was authorized through federal channels. His inspection was connected to an active review of government equipment and transportation records."
Wallace said nothing.
COLONEL HARRIS: "I need you to confirm three things. First, that General Ellison is safe. Second, that his identification and government property have been secured. Third, that no one has accessed or altered his official documents."
Wallace looked toward the property room.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "His belongings are being held."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Including a black document case?"
Wallace glanced at Natalie.
"Yes."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Do not open it. Do not transfer it. Do not permit anyone to remove anything from it. A federal representative will contact your office shortly."
Wallace's face had become noticeably pale.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "I understand."
COLONEL HARRIS: "I also need to speak with General Ellison."
The sheriff hesitated.
COLONEL HARRIS: "Is he able to take the call?"
SHERIFF WALLACE: "He's in the holding area."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Then arrange a telephone for him."
Wallace looked toward the corridor.
"All right."
COLONEL HARRIS: "And Sheriff?"
"Yes?"
COLONEL HARRIS: "Do not question him about the inspection without his legal representative and the appropriate federal personnel present."
The call ended.
Wallace slowly placed the receiver down.
He remained standing behind the desk.
Natalie looked at him.
NATALIE: "Sheriff, should I arrange a telephone for General Ellison?"
Wallace did not answer immediately.
He stared at the booking report.
Then he looked toward the holding corridor.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "Get him out of the cell."
Natalie blinked.
"Sir?"
SHERIFF WALLACE: "I said get him out of the cell. Arrange a private room."
She stood immediately.
NATALIE: "Yes, sir."
Wallace walked into his office and closed the door.
He sat behind his desk.
For a moment, he did nothing.
Then he opened the arrest report and read the description of the incident again.
The report stated that Marcus Ellison had refused repeated lawful instructions.
It described him as uncooperative.
It claimed that he had interfered with a local investigation.
But the report did not explain what investigation was taking place.
It did not identify the specific instruction Marcus had allegedly disobeyed.
It did not mention that he had presented federal identification.
It did not explain why the equipment transfer had not been verified.
Wallace rubbed his forehead.
He had assumed the man was simply another visitor who had wandered onto restricted property.
He had assumed that a confident attitude meant disrespect.
He had assumed that his own judgment was enough.
Now the Pentagon was calling his station.
And the person he had placed in a jail cell was not an ordinary visitor.
At 3:18 p.m., Natalie entered the holding area with another corrections officer.
Marcus was still sitting on the narrow bench.
He looked up when the door opened.
NATALIE: "Mr. Ellison, would you please come with us?"
Marcus stood.
"Has my request for legal counsel been recorded?"
Natalie nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Has anyone contacted my office?"
She hesitated.
"We received a call from the Department of Defense."
Marcus looked at her.
"Who called?"
"A colonel named Andrew Harris."