But because he had finally realized that the people he had served were more dangerous than the investigators pursuing him.
At noon, Ryan Mitchell received a message from an unfamiliar number.
Meet me at the old courthouse. Come alone. I have something you need to know about the sheriff.
Ryan stared at the screen.
He immediately remembered Victoria's instructions.
Don't contact anyone from the department.
Don't answer unfamiliar numbers.
He should have deleted the message.
Instead, he took a screenshot and sent it to Sarah.
Her response came within seconds.
Do not go anywhere. We are investigating the sender.
Ryan placed his phone on the desk.
But a second message arrived.
This one contained a photograph.
It showed Ryan's father.
The older man was standing outside his house.
Beneath the photograph were four words.
Your father is next.
Ryan stood up so quickly that his chair fell backward.
He immediately called his father.
The telephone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then someone answered.
"Hello?"
"Dad?"
"Ryan? What's wrong?"
"Are you home?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Is anyone outside?"
His father laughed.
"Son, what is going on?"
Ryan closed his eyes.
"Listen to me. Lock the doors. Don't let anyone inside. I'm sending people to check on you."
"Ryan, you're frightening me."
"I'll explain later."
He ended the call and immediately contacted Sarah.
Within minutes, a federal protection team was dispatched to the address.
Ryan sat down.
His hands were shaking.
He had spent years believing that the worst thing that could happen to an officer was losing his job.
Now he understood that the people involved in the conspiracy were willing to threaten innocent families to protect themselves.
At 2:40 p.m., Victoria received a call from Prosecutor Helen Carter.
"We have a development."
"What happened?"
"Sheriff Whitmore has requested a formal cooperation meeting."
Victoria looked toward Sarah.
"Is he offering information?"
"Yes. He wants immunity."
Victoria was silent.
Helen continued.
"He's claiming that Donovan and Harlan directed the financial scheme. He says he was only following instructions."
"Do you believe him?"
"I believe he knows more than he's admitting."
Victoria stood.
"Then we need to hear what he has to say."
"There's a condition."
"What condition?"
"He wants to speak with you personally."
Victoria frowned.
"Why me?"
"He says he has something that concerns your appointment to this investigation."
Victoria felt her stomach tighten.
"What exactly did he say?"
Helen checked her notes.
"His words were: 'Tell Director Bennett that Richard Harlan didn't choose her by accident.'"
Victoria stared at the wall.
Sarah looked up.
"What's wrong?"
Victoria slowly lowered the telephone.
"Apparently, Harlan has a reason for putting me in charge."
Sarah frowned.
"Do you know what it is?"
Victoria shook her head.
"No."
Then she looked at the prosecutor.
"Tell Sheriff Whitmore I'll meet him."
The meeting took place in a secure conference room at the courthouse.
Whitmore arrived with his attorney.
He looked tired, defeated, and considerably less confident than the man Victoria had encountered at the police station.
Victoria sat across from him.
Helen Carter was present, along with Sarah Collins.
A recorder was activated.
"State your name for the record," Helen began.
"Daniel Edward Whitmore."
"Are you voluntarily participating in this interview?"
"Yes."
"Do you understand that you are not being promised immunity at this stage?"
Whitmore glanced at his attorney.
"Yes."
Helen nodded.
"Then let's begin. What do you know about the financial arrangements involving Charles Donovan?"
Whitmore took a deep breath.
"Everything began seven years ago."
He explained how Donovan had approached him with an offer to help improve the sheriff's department.
At the time, the department had outdated vehicles, insufficient equipment, and limited funding.
Donovan promised access to private donations and infrastructure grants.
Initially, the arrangement appeared legitimate.
But gradually, the money began coming with conditions.
Whitmore was asked to influence certain investigations.
Then he was asked to suppress complaints.
Eventually, he was instructed to alter reports.
Victoria listened without interrupting.
"Who gave you those instructions?" she asked.
"Donovan."
"Only Donovan?"
Whitmore hesitated.
"No."
"Who else?"
"Richard Harlan."
Sarah leaned forward.
"How did Harlan communicate with you?"
"Mostly through Donovan. Sometimes directly."
"Did you ever meet him?"
"Twice."
"Where?"
"At private meetings in Washington."
Victoria opened her notebook.
"Why did he choose you?"
Whitmore looked at her.
"Because of your father."
The room became completely silent.
Victoria's expression changed.
"What did you just say?"
Whitmore swallowed.
"Richard Harlan knew your father."
Victoria stared at him.
"My father has nothing to do with this investigation."
"That's what I thought too."
"Explain."
Whitmore glanced at his attorney.
Then he looked back at Victoria.