Meanwhile, Sheriff Voss was facing growing pressure inside his own department.
Several employees had begun asking questions.
The records clerk, who had previously avoided disagreements with him, was now concerned about the missing complaint files.
Deputy Hill had spoken with investigators and confirmed that Voss had instructed employees to delay the federal courthouse's calls.
Ethan had submitted his written account.
The sheriff's office was no longer presenting a united front.
Voss called a meeting in his office.
Present were Ethan, Hill, the records clerk, and two senior deputies.
SHERIFF VOSS: "I want everyone to understand that we are dealing with an outside agency that does not know how this county operates."
Nobody responded.
SHERIFF VOSS: "They are going to ask questions. Some of those questions may sound accusatory. You are not required to speculate."
DEPUTY HILL: "We should answer truthfully."
Voss looked at him.
SHERIFF VOSS: "I didn't ask you."
DEPUTY HILL: "I'm saying we should provide accurate records."
SHERIFF VOSS: "You are all employees of this department. You have responsibilities."
The records clerk spoke carefully.
RECORDS CLERK: "Some of the records they requested are incomplete."
Voss turned toward her.
SHERIFF VOSS: "What do you mean?"
RECORDS CLERK: "There are complaint entries that appear in the original log but not in the current database."
Voss's expression changed.
SHERIFF VOSS: "Then check the system again."
RECORDS CLERK: "I already did."
SHERIFF VOSS: "Do it again."
RECORDS CLERK: "Sheriff, I need to be clear. I cannot certify that the current database contains every complaint received by this office."
Voss stood up.
SHERIFF VOSS: "You are making this sound worse than it is."
RECORDS CLERK: "I'm describing what I found."
Voss looked around the room.
SHERIFF VOSS: "I want every employee to remember that disloyalty has consequences."
Ethan finally spoke.
DEPUTY COLE: "Telling the truth is not disloyalty."
The sheriff stared at him.
SHERIFF VOSS: "You have forgotten who gave you this job."
DEPUTY COLE: "No, sir. I remember."
SHERIFF VOSS: "Then remember who can take it away."
Ethan did not respond.
The meeting ended without agreement.
Later that afternoon, the federal investigators formally requested additional records concerning Northbridge Development Group.
Thomas McAllister received notice that his business records were being sought.
He immediately contacted Peter Lang, an accountant who had handled several of the company's financial transactions.
THOMAS MCALLISTER: "Peter, I need to know what records are available."
PETER LANG: "Which records?"
THOMAS MCALLISTER: "Northbridge. All of them."
PETER LANG: "The accounting files are maintained by quarter."
THOMAS MCALLISTER: "Are there any payments that cannot be explained?"
Peter paused.
PETER LANG: "There are some consulting entries without complete supporting documents."
THOMAS MCALLISTER: "How many?"
PETER LANG: "I would need to review the files."
THOMAS MCALLISTER: "Do that. And don't discuss this with anyone."
PETER LANG: "The company has received a request for records."
THOMAS MCALLISTER: "I know."
PETER LANG: "Then we need to preserve everything."
McAllister fell silent.
He had expected Voss to keep the sheriff's office out of the financial inquiry. Now the incident at the diner had brought federal investigators directly into the county.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized that Voss had become a serious risk.
He decided to protect himself.
That evening, he contacted a lawyer.
The following days brought a series of interviews.
Former residents described traffic stops that had ended with unexplained searches. Business owners reported missing property. Several people said they had attempted to file complaints but were told their reports would not be accepted.
One man, Samuel Carter, described an incident involving equipment taken from his farm.
SAMUEL CARTER: "They said they were looking for stolen machinery. They searched the property and took two generators. I asked for a receipt, but nobody gave me one."
INVESTIGATOR: "Did you receive the generators back?"
SAMUEL CARTER: "No."
INVESTIGATOR: "Did you file a complaint?"
SAMUEL CARTER: "Twice."
INVESTIGATOR: "What happened?"
SAMUEL CARTER: "The first time, they told me to come back later. The second time, the sheriff said I should stop wasting everyone's time."
The investigators recorded the details.
Denise Walker, another resident, described how she had been pressured to withdraw a complaint involving a traffic stop.
DENISE WALKER: "I wanted to know why they searched my car. They told me I was making trouble for myself."
INVESTIGATOR: "Who told you that?"
DENISE WALKER: "A deputy. Later, Sheriff Voss called my employer."
INVESTIGATOR: "What did he say?"
DENISE WALKER: "He said I was creating unnecessary problems and that my employer should be careful about getting involved."