And he had ignored both.
At 3:34 p.m., Deputy Ethan Miller returned to the station.
He had been at the depot after the arrest, checking the area and speaking with the two workers.
When he entered, he noticed the unusual activity.
Natalie was printing documents.
Two officers were speaking near the evidence room.
And the sheriff's office door was open.
MILLER: "What's going on?"
Natalie looked up.
"Have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"The man you stopped at the depot is a three-star general."
Miller froze.
"What?"
"The Pentagon called."
He looked toward the interview room.
"Is he still here?"
"Yes."
Miller lowered his voice.
"Did the sheriff know who he was?"
Natalie looked at him.
"Not until the call."
Miller exhaled slowly.
He remembered Marcus presenting the identification card.
He remembered the calm way he had answered questions.
He remembered the sheriff dismissing the documents.
Now he wondered whether he should have insisted on verifying the identification before the arrest.
He approached the desk.
"Did they ask for my body-camera footage?"
Natalie nodded.
"The federal office requested that everything be preserved."
Miller looked toward the sheriff's office.
"Good."
He then noticed the booking report on the counter.
He picked it up.
The description of the incident did not match what he remembered.
Marcus had not shouted.
He had not threatened anyone.
He had not attempted to run.
He had simply asked questions.
Miller placed the report back down.
"Did you record that he showed me his identification?"
Natalie checked the intake notes.
"It says he presented a federal identification card."
Miller nodded.
"That's important."
At that moment, Wallace stepped out of his office.
"Deputy Miller."
Miller turned.
"Yes, Sheriff?"
"Come into my office."
The deputy followed him inside.
Wallace closed the door.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "I need to know exactly what happened at the depot."
MILLER: "I already gave you the information."
"I want you to tell me again."
Miller stood beside the desk.
He described the initial report, his conversation with Marcus, the identification card, and the arrival of the sheriff.
Wallace listened.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "Did he refuse to cooperate?"
Miller hesitated.
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean, not exactly?"
"He asked what the legal basis was for the detention."
Wallace leaned forward.
"Did he follow my instructions?"
MILLER: "He did not physically resist."
"Did he argue?"
"He asked questions."
The sheriff looked irritated.
"That's not what I asked."
Miller remained steady.
"He was calm, sir. He never threatened anyone."
Wallace looked at him for several seconds.
Then he picked up the arrest report.
"Did you see any evidence that he was interfering with a lawful inspection?"
Miller paused.
"No, sir."
Wallace's expression hardened.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
Miller looked directly at him.
"I did tell you that he said he was conducting an authorized inspection."
The sheriff said nothing.
Miller continued.
"He showed me his identification. I couldn't verify the full details, but I told you what he had presented."
Wallace placed the report on the desk.
"All right. You can go."
Miller turned toward the door.
Before leaving, he stopped.
"Sir?"
Wallace looked up.
"What?"
"I think we should preserve the entire recording from the moment I arrived."
The sheriff's face tightened.
"Of course we're preserving it."
Miller nodded and left.
Wallace remained behind his desk.
He knew the deputy's account was not helping him.
And he knew that the body-camera footage would be more difficult to explain than the written report.
At 3:48 p.m., Colonel Andrew Harris called again.
Natalie transferred the call directly to the sheriff's office.
Wallace answered.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "Sheriff Wallace speaking."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Sheriff, this is Colonel Harris again. I have confirmation that General Ellison is at your station. I need to speak with him."
SHERIFF WALLACE: "He's in a private room. We're arranging access to a telephone."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Has he been released?"
Wallace looked toward the interview room.
"Not yet."
COLONEL HARRIS: "On what basis is he still being held?"
The sheriff hesitated.
"We're reviewing the charges."
COLONEL HARRIS: "The charges?"
Wallace shifted in his chair.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "Obstruction and disorderly conduct."
COLONEL HARRIS: "What specific conduct supports those charges?"
Wallace looked at the arrest report.
"He was interfering with an investigation."
COLONEL HARRIS: "What investigation?"
The sheriff did not answer immediately.
COLONEL HARRIS: "Sheriff, I am asking a direct question."
Wallace finally spoke.
"We received a report about suspicious activity at the depot."
COLONEL HARRIS: "Was General Ellison the person responsible for that suspicious activity?"
"No."
"Was he removing equipment?"
"No."
"Was he damaging property?"
"No."
"Was he threatening anyone?"
"No."
Colonel Harris paused.
COLONEL HARRIS: "Then explain why he was arrested."
Wallace's face tightened.
SHERIFF WALLACE: "He refused to follow instructions."
COLONEL HARRIS: "What instructions?"
The sheriff looked down.
"I'd rather discuss this with the county attorney."
COLONEL HARRIS: "That is your choice. However, I want to make something clear. General Ellison was carrying official inspection documentation. His assignment was authorized through federal channels. Your department has now taken custody of his identification, personal belongings, and government document case."
Wallace nodded, although the caller could not see him.
COLONEL HARRIS: "We need to know whether those items have remained secure."
SHERIFF WALLACE: "They have."
COLONEL HARRIS: "And the equipment at the depot?"
Wallace looked up.
"What about it?"