When asked why the microphone had been disabled just before Richard approached the stage, he claimed that he had followed the instruction because the situation appeared to be escalating.
The investigators then questioned Andrew Price, the technician who had operated the control booth.
His statement was different.
ANDREW PRICE: "I received a message from Mr. Cole before the ceremony. He told me that Mr. Vaughn might approach the stage and that I should be ready to disable the microphone if necessary."
INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER: "Did he explain why Mr. Vaughn might approach the stage?"
ANDREW PRICE: "He said there was a disagreement with Colonel Carter and that Mr. Vaughn wanted to make a statement."
INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER: "Did you expect a physical confrontation?"
ANDREW PRICE: "No. I thought he was going to speak."
INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER: "Why did you disable the microphone?"
ANDREW PRICE: "I saw Mr. Vaughn moving toward the stage. Then I received another instruction through the control system."
INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER: "From whom?"
ANDREW PRICE: "The message came from the event coordination terminal."
INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER: "Who was operating that terminal?"
ANDREW PRICE: "I was told it was Mr. Cole's office."
INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER: "Did anyone ask you to remove the audio recording?"
ANDREW PRICE: "No. I only switched the microphone input to standby."
INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER: "Did you know that the security camera was recording independently?"
ANDREW PRICE: "Yes. The camera system is separate."
INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER: "Then you understood that switching off the microphone would not stop the video recording."
ANDREW PRICE: "Yes."
The investigators reviewed the technical logs and confirmed that the microphone had been disabled manually. The audio interruption was not caused by equipment failure.
However, they could not establish that the technician had intended to conceal evidence. His actions appeared to have followed instructions issued by the event administration director.
That left the question of why Cole had issued those instructions.
And who had told him that Richard Vaughn might create a disturbance.
***
Later that afternoon, General Hale received a call from the investigative director.
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "What have you found?"
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "We've identified the source of the original instruction sent to Richard Cole."
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "Who?"
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "Olivia Grant."
Hale looked toward Evelyn.
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "The executive operations director?"
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "Yes. She contacted Cole approximately forty minutes before the ceremony began. The message stated that Mr. Vaughn intended to address Colonel Carter and that the situation should be managed quietly."
EVELYN CARTER: "Did she say he would approach the stage?"
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "She did not use those exact words. But she instructed Cole to prepare the technical team in case the presentation became disruptive."
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "Has she been interviewed?"
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "Not yet. We have requested her attendance."
EVELYN CARTER: "What about the private meeting between Vaughn, Cole, and Charles Whitmore?"
The investigator paused.
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "We recovered a calendar entry and several messages. It appears the meeting took place at a private office near the venue."
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "What was discussed?"
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "The available messages refer to the procurement review and Colonel Carter's decision. We are still trying to obtain the complete meeting records."
EVELYN CARTER: "Was Whitmore aware that Vaughn intended to confront me?"
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "We don't know yet."
Evelyn considered the information.
Charles Whitmore had been involved in the project for months. He had repeatedly argued that the company deserved an opportunity to complete the program and had criticized the delays caused by the review.
If he had known Richard intended to confront her, the investigation would need to establish whether he had encouraged the action or simply discussed the dispute.
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "We need all three individuals interviewed separately."
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "That is being arranged."
EVELYN CARTER: "And preserve the original messages before anyone has an opportunity to delete them."
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "Already done."
The call ended.
Mitchell looked at Evelyn.
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "This is moving beyond an impulsive confrontation."
EVELYN CARTER: "It may have been impulsive from Richard's perspective, but the preparations around it were not."
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "You believe he intended to create a public incident?"
EVELYN CARTER: "I believe he wanted to pressure me in front of people whose opinions mattered. Whether he planned to put his hands on me is another question."
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "And the recording?"
EVELYN CARTER: "Someone wanted control of it before the official investigation could begin."
Mitchell nodded.
GENERAL MARCUS HALE: "We will find out why."
***
Olivia Grant arrived at headquarters the following morning.
She was a woman in her early forties, professionally dressed, with a calm manner that contrasted with the tension surrounding the investigation. She had worked for Richard Vaughn for almost seven years and was responsible for coordinating sensitive executive assignments.
She entered the interview room with her legal representative.
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "Ms. Grant, thank you for attending. We are reviewing communications sent to Richard Cole and David Mercer before and after the ceremony."
OLIVIA GRANT: "I understand."
INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTOR: "Did you contact Mr. Cole before the ceremony?"
OLIVIA GRANT: "Yes. I informed him that Mr. Vaughn intended to speak with Colonel Carter."