“I don't understand why this has become a federal matter. A dispute over farmland is normally handled locally.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“A property dispute is one matter. Allegations of threats, deliberate vehicle damage, fabricated evidence, and misuse of law enforcement authority are separate matters that may require independent review.”
Reeves looked at Kessler.
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“Wade, explain what happened.”
Kessler took a breath.
WADE KESSLER:
“I stopped the vehicle because I received information that it might be connected to suspicious activity. The driver became uncooperative, and I had to secure the scene.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“What suspicious activity?”
WADE KESSLER:
“I was told there could be illegal material inside the vehicle.”
Marcus stared at him.
MARCUS HARTWELL:
“What illegal material? That truck has been sitting in my driveway for weeks.”
Kessler ignored him.
WADE KESSLER:
“I was acting on information I received.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Who provided it?”
WADE KESSLER:
“I don't remember the name.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“You received information serious enough to justify pointing a weapon at someone, but you cannot remember who gave it to you?”
Kessler's jaw tightened.
WADE KESSLER:
“I handle multiple calls every day.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Then your dispatch records should help.”
The federal operations officer looked at her tablet.
FEDERAL OPERATIONS OFFICER:
“We have already requested the original dispatch information. There are discrepancies between the initial system entry and the account provided by Officer Kessler.”
Reeves turned toward her.
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“What discrepancies?”
FEDERAL OPERATIONS OFFICER:
“We're not discussing preliminary findings in detail at the roadside. The original records are being preserved for review.”
Reeves looked uncomfortable.
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“Then I expect the department to be given an opportunity to respond.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Of course. Every relevant person will have an opportunity to provide an account. But no one should alter or destroy the records while that process is underway.”
She paused.
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Captain, I want to ask you something directly.”
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“Go ahead.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Have you ever discussed the Hartwell property with Richard Vance?”
Reeves did not answer immediately.
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“I've attended public meetings about the proposed industrial development.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Did you discuss the family's refusal to sell?”
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“Property acquisition was one of the topics.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Did you discuss ways to pressure residents who refused the offers?”
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“Absolutely not.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Then you should have no difficulty explaining the meetings.”
Reeves looked away.
The wind moved through the trees beside the road.
A tactical operator approached the team leader and spoke quietly. The leader listened, then looked toward Simone.
TACTICAL TEAM LEADER:
“Director, the operations center has completed an initial review of the incoming communication.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“What did they find?”
TACTICAL TEAM LEADER:
“The message was routed through a local government network. It contained a vehicle description and a location reference matching your father's truck.”
Simone's expression became serious.
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Was the sender identified?”
TACTICAL TEAM LEADER:
“Not conclusively. The originating account appears to have been associated with a departmental system.”
Reeves immediately interrupted.
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“That doesn't prove anything. Our systems are used by multiple employees.”
TACTICAL TEAM LEADER:
“That's correct. The account holder and the individual who accessed the system are not necessarily the same person. Further examination is required.”
Simone nodded.
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Preserve the access logs and the original message. I want the full communication chain established.”
FEDERAL OPERATIONS OFFICER:
“Understood.”
Kessler looked at Reeves.
The two men exchanged a brief glance.
Simone noticed it.
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Is there something either of you would like to add?”
CAPTAIN THOMAS REEVES:
“No.”
WADE KESSLER:
“No.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Very well.”
She turned toward the team leader.
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“I want to see the original footage and the complete data package from my watch before anyone makes a formal conclusion.”
TACTICAL TEAM LEADER:
“The data is being transferred securely.”
Kessler looked at the small black device again.
WADE KESSLER:
“You keep talking about that watch. What exactly does it do?”
Simone looked at him.
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“It performs several functions.”
WADE KESSLER:
“Such as?”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Recording, secure communication, location transmission, and emergency reporting.”
Kessler's face changed.
WADE KESSLER:
“So you were recording me the whole time?”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“You were aware that you were speaking in a public place.”
WADE KESSLER:
“You should have told me.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Would that have changed what you said?”
Kessler did not answer.
The federal operations officer glanced at the tablet.
FEDERAL OPERATIONS OFFICER:
“Director, the recording contains the complete conversation from the beginning of the encounter. It also includes the audio from the initial contact with dispatch.”
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Was the signal interrupted?”
FEDERAL OPERATIONS OFFICER:
“For a short period, but the device retained the original data locally. The emergency transmission included the available recording and diagnostic information.”
Simone nodded.
SIMONE HARTWELL:
“Good. Preserve the original files. Do not create a replacement copy that could overwrite the source data.”
FEDERAL OPERATIONS OFFICER:
“Already arranged.”
Marcus looked at the watch.
MARCUS HARTWELL: