Marcus's expression remained composed.
"Did he request to speak with me?"
"Yes, sir. The sheriff has asked us to arrange a private telephone."
Marcus nodded.
"Thank you."
The corrections officer unlocked the cell door.
Marcus stepped into the corridor.
As they walked toward the interview room, he noticed that the sheriff was standing outside his office.
Wallace looked at him.
For a brief moment, neither man spoke.
Then the sheriff cleared his throat.
"General Ellison."
Marcus stopped.
"Yes, Sheriff?"
Wallace looked uncomfortable.
"I understand there may have been a misunderstanding."
Marcus studied him.
"A misunderstanding?"
Wallace nodded.
"Yes. We're reviewing the circumstances."
Marcus glanced toward the booking area.
"Then I hope the review includes the reason I was handcuffed."
The sheriff did not respond.
Marcus continued walking.
Natalie led him into a small interview room.
A telephone had been placed on the table.
She pointed toward the chair.
"You can take the call here, sir."
Marcus sat down.
The corrections officer remained near the door.
Marcus looked at Natalie.
"Could I speak without being overheard?"
She looked toward the camera in the corner.
"I'll ask the sheriff whether we can arrange a private call."
Marcus nodded.
"Please do."
Natalie stepped outside.
A few moments later, Wallace appeared.
He looked toward the camera.
Then he instructed the corrections officer to wait outside.
The sheriff remained by the doorway.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "The room is yours."
Marcus looked at him.
"I appreciate the privacy."
Wallace hesitated.
"General, I want to make sure you understand that we were responding to a report."
Marcus placed his hands on the table.
"Then you should preserve the report."
"We will."
"And the original dispatch recording."
"Of course."
"And the body-camera footage from Deputy Miller."
Wallace nodded.
"That will be preserved."
Marcus looked directly at him.
"Please also preserve every communication between your department and the individuals who were removing equipment from the depot."
The sheriff's expression changed.
"What makes you think there were communications?"
Marcus remained calm.
"Because the workers left before the deputy could verify the transfer, and you arrived shortly afterward with information that appeared to have been provided by someone else."
Wallace shifted his weight.
"We'll review everything."
Marcus picked up the telephone.
"Thank you."
The sheriff stepped outside and closed the door.
Marcus dialed a number from memory.
The call connected after two rings.
A male voice answered.
CHIEF OF STAFF: "General Ellison's office."
MARCUS: "This is Ellison."
There was an immediate change in the voice.
CHIEF OF STAFF: "General! We've been trying to reach you."
MARCUS: "I know. I'm at the Redhaven County Sheriff's Office."
CHIEF OF STAFF: "Are you safe?"
"Yes. I'm not injured."
CHIEF OF STAFF: "What happened?"
Marcus briefly explained the inspection, the equipment removal, the arrival of local law enforcement, and his arrest.
The chief of staff remained silent until he finished.
CHIEF OF STAFF: "General, this is extremely concerning."
MARCUS: "I want the situation handled through the proper channels. Do not send anyone here to create a scene."
CHIEF OF STAFF: "Understood."
MARCUS: "I need the original inspection authorization, the inventory report, and the latest equipment movement records sent to Colonel Harris."
CHIEF OF STAFF: "We'll prepare them."
MARCUS: "Also contact the federal logistics oversight team. The equipment transfer may be connected to the discrepancies in the report."
CHIEF OF STAFF: "Do you believe the transfer was unauthorized?"
Marcus looked toward the closed door.
"I believe it needs to be investigated."
CHIEF OF STAFF: "Understood, General."
Marcus paused.
"And make sure the team knows that I am not asking for special treatment. I want the same procedures applied to everyone involved."
CHIEF OF STAFF: "Yes, sir."
The call ended.
Marcus placed the receiver down.
He looked at the table for several seconds.
Then he leaned back.
He had been detained for less than an hour.
But the equipment was already gone.
That was the real concern.
If the containers had been removed from the depot, the people responsible might now be attempting to move them somewhere else.
He needed to know where they had gone.
Outside the interview room, Natalie was waiting near the reception desk.
Wallace approached her.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "Did you get the federal caller's contact information?"
NATALIE: "Yes, sir. I saved the number and the caller's name in the dispatch log."
"Print it."
She nodded.
Wallace looked at the booking monitor.
"Has his property been secured?"
"Yes. The document case is still sealed."
"Good."
Natalie hesitated.
"Sir, there is something else."
Wallace turned.
"What?"
"His identification record."
The sheriff frowned.
"What about it?"
"I tried to verify his details through the internal system. The system returned a restricted federal personnel match."
Wallace looked at her.
"What does that mean?"
"I couldn't access the full record. It requested additional authorization."
Wallace stared at the screen.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was going to, but the Pentagon called."
He looked away.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Print the result."
Natalie did so.
The page contained only a few lines.
The name Marcus Ellison appeared at the top.
Below it was a restricted identification classification and a notice directing the receiving agency to contact the appropriate federal office for verification.
Wallace read it twice.
The card had been genuine.
The man's explanation had been genuine.