She had agreed to take a short period away from her usual responsibilities while recovering.
But she could not stop thinking about the underlying emergency-response program.
The traffic stop had delayed her arrival.
The questions about funding remained unresolved.
And the more investigators learned about the stop, the more it seemed possible that someone had wanted her absent from the meeting.
The legal adviser visited her room that evening.
She carried a folder containing the revised schedule for the coordination review.
The commander invited her inside.
They sat near the window overlooking the city.
The adviser began with the meeting.
The regional team had postponed its final recommendations after learning about the roadside incident and the continuing questions concerning county expenditures.
The commander nodded.
“That was the right decision.”
The adviser opened the folder.
“There is something else.”
The commander looked up.
“What?”
“The county procurement office submitted an amended financial report shortly after the traffic stop.”
The commander frowned.
“Amended how?”
“Several previously questioned expenses were reclassified as emergency operational costs.”
The commander leaned forward.
“Was supporting documentation provided?”
“Not enough to resolve the concerns.”
She looked toward the folder.
“Who approved the amendment?”
The adviser read the title.
“County director of emergency procurement.”
The commander became still.
She remembered that title from the previous evening's fundraising dinner.
The same director had approached her near the entrance and asked whether she would be attending the coordination meeting.
The adviser noticed the expression on her face.
“What is it?”
The commander explained.
The director had been friendly.
He had complimented her coat, praised her mother's community work, and expressed appreciation for the federal team's assistance.
Then he asked whether she personally intended to attend the next day's review.
She had answered that she did.
The director had smiled and said he hoped the meeting would be brief.
At the time, she thought nothing of it.
Now the conversation felt different.
The adviser listened.
Then she asked whether the director knew her vehicle.
The commander hesitated.
“He saw me arrive at the hotel. My SUV was brought to the entrance while he was standing outside.”
The adviser made a note.
“Did he see the registration?”
“I don't know.”
“Did anyone else know your route?”