Victor Hale: "I speak with local officials about business matters. That is not unusual."
Investigator: "What was the subject of your calls with Captain Reeves?"
Hale: "I don't recall every conversation."
The investigators presented the available phone records.
They showed several communications between Hale and Reeves during the weeks surrounding the property complaints and the traffic stop.
Hale insisted that the calls concerned ordinary local business issues.
He denied discussing the false allegation.
The interview did not produce a complete explanation.
However, the internal emails, Rachel's testimony, and the communication records provided further leads.
The investigation also uncovered a second connection between the development company and the threatening phone call made to James.
The call had occurred after the federal investigation began.
The caller had told James that his daughter would not be able to protect him forever.
James had saved the call record and provided the number to investigators.
The number was connected to a prepaid device used by Michael Turner, a contractor who had previously worked for Daniel Price.
Michael was located and interviewed.
At first, he denied making the call.
But after investigators presented the available device records, he admitted that he had contacted James.
Michael Turner: "I was told to make sure he understood that the company was serious."
Investigator: "Who told you to call him?"
Michael: "Daniel Price."
Investigator: "What were you instructed to say?"
Michael looked down.
Michael Turner: "I was told to tell him that his daughter wouldn't always be around and that he should reconsider fighting the company."
Investigator: "Did you understand that as a threat?"
Michael: "At the time, I thought it was pressure. I know it sounds different now."
Investigator: "Did anyone instruct you to damage the truck or set fire to the barn?"
Michael shook his head.
Michael Turner: "No. I didn't do those things. I delivered documents and made calls. I never touched the truck or the barn."
The investigators did not assume that his statement answered every question.
They continued examining the earlier incidents separately.
However, Michael's admission provided a direct connection between Daniel Price and the threatening communication.
His statement also supported Rachel's account that the development company had used intimidation against people who refused to sell.
Victoria was informed of the new evidence.
Daniel Mercer: "The phone number has been connected to Michael Turner. He admits making the call after receiving instructions from Price."
Victoria Hayes: "Did he explain the reason?"
Daniel Mercer: "He said he was told to pressure your father into reconsidering the sale."
Victoria: "Then preserve the statement and the device records. We need to establish whether anyone else participated."
Daniel Mercer: "Understood."
Victoria looked toward her father.
James had been sitting quietly at the kitchen table.
He had heard enough of the conversation to understand that the threatening call was no longer an unexplained incident.
James Hayes: "So the call came from someone connected to the company?"
Victoria Hayes: "The records and his statement connect it to a contractor who worked with Price."
James Hayes: "I knew they wanted the land. I never thought they would go this far."
Victoria: "We still need to establish exactly who authorized each action. But we have evidence now that the pressure was deliberate."
James looked down at the old photographs on the table.
He had kept them because he wanted someone to believe him.
For months, he had been told that the barn fire might have been an accident, the truck damage might have been ordinary mechanical failure, and the inspections were simply part of normal county procedures.
Now, for the first time, several of those events were being examined together.
He felt relief, but also anger.
James Hayes: "I kept telling them something was wrong. They made me feel like I was imagining it."
Victoria placed a hand on his shoulder.
Victoria Hayes: "You weren't imagining it, Dad."
James shook his head.
James Hayes: "I just wanted to be left alone."
Victoria Hayes: "You have the right to stay in your home. Nobody should have made you feel otherwise."
The investigation continued.
One of the most important tasks was determining whether Captain Thomas Reeves had knowingly participated in the plan.
His access account had been used to view the dispatch record.
The internal message instructing Laura to add information had originated from his office.
He had also received several calls from Victor Hale.