Bennett looked through the windshield as the federal vehicles turned onto Bellamy Mill Road. "I will show them where it is."
The federal vehicles turned onto Bellamy Mill Road without emergency lights. Brooks sat in the lead vehicle with Bennett beside him. Two teams followed at a controlled distance while a third group moved toward Kingsley Towing's public lot.
Ahead, the former textile mill stood behind a chain-link fence. The eastern building was fully lit. The main gate was open and an enclosed transport trailer was moving toward the road.
Brooks raised his radio. "Road team, hold the first transport at the entrance. Warehouse team, move." Two federal vehicles entered from opposite directions and stopped across the driveway. The transport driver applied the brakes before reaching the gate.
Brooks stepped out carrying the signed warrant. "Turn off the engine and remain in the cab." The driver looked toward the warehouse. "I have county transfer papers."
"You will have an opportunity to present them. Turn off the engine." The engine stopped.
Inside the yard, Curtis Hale shouted for an employee to close the gate. The employee reached for the control panel, but federal agents were already inside the entrance. Brooks walked toward Curtis. "Curtis Hale?"
"Who is asking?" "Special Agent Daniel Brooks, Federal Bureau of Investigation. This property is subject to a federal search warrant. No vehicle, document, computer, or storage device leaves this location."
Curtis looked at the vehicles blocking the gate. "This is a county storage transfer. You are interrupting lawful business." Brooks handed him a copy of the warrant. "The transfer is suspended."
Sheriff Raymond Hale came out of the eastern building carrying a folder. "You are outside your authority," he said. "These vehicles are under county control." Brooks turned toward him. "The warrant covers this property, the vehicles, the administrative offices, and all records connected to Kingsley Towing and Monroe County seizure operations."
Hale opened the folder. "I have signed transfer orders." "Keep them visible and place them on the table beside you." "These are official records."
"That is why they need to remain intact." Hale did not move immediately. Brooks repeated the instruction. "Place the folder on the table."
Hale complied. Bennett remained near the lead vehicle until Brooks called him forward. "Show us the eastern storage area."
Bennett pointed toward the large building. "The vehicles are inside. The records office is upstairs. Keys are behind the dispatch desk."
Mercer appeared in the warehouse doorway. His attention moved from Bennett to Brooks. "What is he doing here?" Bennett did not answer. Mercer turned and moved quickly toward the interior stairs.
"He is going to the file room," Bennett said. Two agents followed Mercer inside. "Officer Mercer, stop where you are." Mercer continued up the first steps. "This is county property."