Victoria Hayes: "I'm not asking you to make assumptions. I'm asking why my father's complaints were closed without a proper explanation."
Reeves did not answer immediately.
Richard stepped closer.
James Hayes: "I brought photographs. I brought repair reports. I gave your department dates and names. Every time I asked what was happening, someone told me the matter was being reviewed."
Reeves looked uncomfortable.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "Mr. Hayes, I understand your frustration."
James Hayes: "No, Captain. You don't. I have lived there for decades. I never had these problems until the development company started trying to buy the land."
Reeves turned toward the tactical team leader.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I think we should discuss the department's procedures privately."
Victoria immediately responded.
Victoria Hayes: "There is no reason to move this discussion away from the evidence-preservation process."
Reeves looked at her.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I am simply trying to understand what happened."
Victoria Hayes: "Then start with the original dispatch record."
The operations officer received a message on his secure device.
He reviewed it, then looked toward Victoria.
Federal Operations Officer: "Director, the initial records request has been acknowledged. The department is locating the dispatch entry and associated audit history."
Victoria Hayes: "Good. Preserve every version."
Federal Operations Officer: "Understood."
Reeves folded his arms.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I want to make clear that we have nothing to hide."
Victoria Hayes: "Then the records should answer the questions."
Reeves looked away.
His phone vibrated.
He reached into his pocket and checked the screen.
For a brief moment, his expression changed.
The caller's name was visible.
Victor Hale.
Victoria noticed it immediately.
She knew the name because her father had mentioned the businessman repeatedly. Victor Hale was the owner of the development company that had been trying to acquire the Brooks property.
Reeves quickly turned the screen away.
Victoria looked at him.
Victoria Hayes: "Captain, is that Victor Hale calling you?"
Reeves paused.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "He's a local businessman. I speak with many people in the community."
Victoria Hayes: "My father has been dealing with his company for months."
Captain Thomas Reeves: "The company is involved in several projects. It's normal for local officials to speak with business owners."
Victoria Hayes: "I understand. I'm simply asking why he is calling you while we're discussing a traffic stop involving my family."
Reeves placed the phone back in his pocket.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "There's no connection."
Victoria Hayes: "Then there should be no problem documenting the call."
The federal operations officer immediately recorded the observation.
Reeves's expression tightened.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I don't think every phone call needs to become part of an investigation."
Victoria Hayes: "Not every phone call does. But this one is relevant enough to document."
The phone vibrated again.
Reeves did not answer.
Across the road, Grant Cross watched the exchange.
He seemed increasingly nervous.
The captain had arrived, but instead of taking control of the situation, he was being questioned about his relationship with the businessman who had been pressuring the Hayes family.
Cross had expected Reeves to protect him.
Now he was beginning to wonder whether the captain was more concerned about protecting himself.
The federal operations officer approached Victoria with another update.
Federal Operations Officer: "Director, the dispatch team has located an initial entry. We're waiting for the complete audit history."
Victoria Hayes: "Does the original entry mention illegal materials?"
Federal Operations Officer: "The initial information appears to be less detailed than the officer's later explanation. We need to compare the original entry with the subsequent notes."
Victoria looked toward Cross.
Victoria Hayes: "Officer Cross, you told us you had information about illegal materials before approaching the vehicle. Is that correct?"
Cross shifted his position.
Daniel Cross: "Yes."
Victoria Hayes: "Who gave you that information?"
Daniel Cross: "It came through departmental channels."
Victoria Hayes: "Which person?"
Daniel Cross: "I don't remember the exact name."
Victoria Hayes: "You don't remember who gave you the information that caused you to stop us?"
Cross looked toward Reeves.
Daniel Cross: "I need to review my records."
Victoria Hayes: "Then the records should be preserved."
The tactical team leader approached Cross again.
Tactical Team Leader: "You will provide your statement through the appropriate process. Do not discuss the incident with other department personnel while the evidence is being secured."
Cross nodded reluctantly.
Reeves looked toward the operations officer.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I would like a copy of the material being collected."