I'm following proper procedure, Agent Cross. Local law enforcement maintains custody until federal jurisdiction is formally established through appropriate channels, which could take hours, Danielle observed. Or days, Shaw confirmed.
General Thorne stepped forward, his four stars catching the morning light. Captain, I'm advising you that obstructing this investigation could result in federal charges against you personally, and I'm advising you, General, that this station is now part of an active police investigation, Shaw countered. My authority here is clear.
Danielle watched Shaw's face carefully. His confidence seemed forced, desperate. He was protecting something specific inside that office.
Rather than argue further, she pulled out her authorized investigative equipment and began documenting the scene. The camera recorded Shaw's officers blocking the entrance, their positions, and Shaw's explicit refusal to allow access to potential evidence. General Thorne, she said while filming, I need you to contact Army Financial Command immediately.
What for? Have every military fuel account associated with this station frozen. Emergency suspension.
No further government purchases can be processed until this investigation concludes. General Thorne pulled out his phone without hesitation. Colonel Martinez.
General Thorne. I need an immediate emergency freeze on military fuel accounts. He rattled off the station's identification numbers from memory.
The effect was instantaneous. A phone began ringing frantically inside the station office, then another. The electronic fuel dispensers throughout the property emitted sharp warning beeps as their government payment systems locked down.
"What did you just do?" Voss demanded, rushing toward them from his patrol car. "Protected Army resources from further theft," Danielle replied calmly, still filming. No military vehicles can purchase fuel here until we determine how much has been stolen.
You can't shut down a business based on suspicions. Watch me, General Thorne said flatly. Voss's composure cracked completely.
Do you have any idea what you're interfering with? There are people who depend on those transactions. People like you, Officer Voss, Danielle asked, zooming in on his panicked expression.
Shaw grabbed Voss's arm, pulling him back. Control yourself, he hissed. But the damage was done.
Voss had revealed that the fuel scheme affected more than just Army accounts. Other people were profiting from the operation, and the sudden shutdown threatened their income. Through the station's glass windows, Danielle noticed the frightened woman behind the counter.
The station manager had been watching every confrontation with wide, terrified eyes. Each time Shaw mentioned the security system, she glanced nervously toward the office door. Danielle studied the woman's body language.
The manager knew something. Her fear wasn't just about angry police officers disrupting her workplace. She was afraid of what those officers might do if certain information came to light.
General, maintain position here, Danielle said quietly. I'm going inside. She walked past Shaw's officers toward the station entrance.
None of them moved to stop her from entering the public retail area. The automatic doors slid open with a soft chime. The frightened station manager looked up as Danielle approached the counter, her name tag reading Leah Grant.