Federal Operations Officer: "We're confirming the account holder. I don't want to give you an inaccurate name."
Elena nodded.
Elena: "Then verify it before reporting."
She looked toward the road and then at the people gathered around Grant.
The traffic stop had been presented as a simple response to suspicious activity. But the records suggested that the allegation might have been constructed after the officer had already approached the vehicle.
That raised a more serious question.
If the information was added later, who had decided that the family should be treated as suspects?
And why had the department's supervisory records been accessed during the same period?
Elena knew that the answer might lead beyond the police department. It might reveal a connection between the traffic stop, the property complaints, and the development company that had spent months trying to force Richard to sell his land.
She looked at her father.
Elena: "Dad, I need you to tell the investigators everything. Every visit, every letter, every phone call, even the things that seemed unimportant at the time."
Richard Brooks: "I have kept most of it."
Elena: "Where?"
Richard Brooks: "At home. In the old filing cabinet in the study. I kept the letters, the inspection notices, the photographs of the barn, and the mechanic's report about the truck."
Elena: "Good. Don't move or discard anything. We'll arrange for the material to be collected and documented properly."
Richard Brooks: "There is something else."
Elena turned toward him.
Elena: "What is it?"
Richard hesitated.
Richard Brooks: "A man came to the house three weeks ago. He said he was representing the development company. He wanted me to sign another offer, but this time he didn't bring a price."
Elena: "What did he bring?"
Richard Brooks: "A folder. Inside were copies of some of my old complaints. He knew which ones had been closed and which ones were still under review."
Elena's expression changed.
Elena: "Did he explain why he had those documents?"
Richard Brooks: "He said he was trying to help me understand that fighting the county would be expensive."
Elena: "Did he give you his name?"
Richard thought for a moment.
Richard Brooks: "Daniel Price. He said he handled property matters for Victor Hale's company."
Elena repeated the name quietly.
Elena: "Daniel Price."
The operations officer looked up.
Federal Operations Officer: "Do you know him?"
Elena: "My father has just identified a person who may have had access to information about the complaints. We need to establish how he obtained those records."
Richard Brooks: "He also knew about the truck."
Elena looked at him.
Elena: "What did he say?"
Richard Brooks: "He told me that old vehicles were dangerous and that I should consider selling before something worse happened."
For several seconds, Elena said nothing.
The statement was not proof of a threat by itself. But in the context of the damaged brake lines, the barn fire, and the repeated pressure to sell, it was significant enough to preserve.
Elena: "Did you tell anyone about that visit?"
Richard Brooks: "I mentioned it in my last complaint."
The federal operations officer made a note.
Federal Operations Officer: "We will need the original complaint and any supporting documents."
Elena: "Include the records showing when it was received and who reviewed it."
Richard Brooks: "I can find the copy at home."
Elena: "Good."
The officer beside Reeves received a radio message and walked toward the captain.
Officer: "Captain, we need to speak with you about the department's record preservation process."
Reeves turned toward him.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I have already said the department will cooperate."
Officer: "We need to confirm which personnel had access to the relevant files and ensure that no records are altered."
Reeves's expression became colder.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I understand how preservation works."
Elena watched him.
The captain's response was controlled, but the tension in his face was becoming harder to conceal.
The operations officer then received another update.
Federal Operations Officer: "Director, we've identified the supervisory account. It was used by an individual assigned to the local command office."
Elena: "Who?"
Federal Operations Officer: "The account is registered to Captain Thomas Reeves."
Richard looked toward the captain.
Reeves immediately stepped forward.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "That doesn't prove anything. Supervisory accounts are used for routine administrative purposes."
Elena: "Nobody said it proved anything. We need to establish why your account accessed the record and what actions were taken."
Reeves: "I review dozens of records every week."
Elena: "Then the audit history should make that clear."
Reeves looked at the federal officer.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I want the exact request in writing."
Federal Operations Officer: "You'll receive it."
Elena remained silent.
The investigation was still at an early stage. An access log could show that a person opened a record, but it could not automatically establish why they did so or whether they had changed anything. The timing, the surrounding communications, and the subsequent actions would all need to be examined.