Inside were spreadsheets, scanned invoices, and recorded conversations.
One file contained a list of names.
At the top was the CEO of Northstar Highway Services.
Below him were several executives.
Then county officials.
Then law-enforcement personnel.
Beside each name were dates and payment amounts.
Grant Holloway.
$18,000.
Daniel Miller.
$11,500.
The payments were labeled as consulting fees.
But neither officer had provided consulting services to Northstar.
The file also contained a short audio recording.
A man’s voice could be heard saying:
“She’s asking too many questions. Make sure she understands that this investigation can become very unpleasant.”
Another voice answered:
“What if she doesn’t back off?”
The first man replied:
“Then we remind her that people with authority have ways of creating problems.”
Victoria recognized the first voice.
It belonged to Northstar’s CEO, Richard Vale.
The second voice belonged to a county official.
But the recording didn’t prove who had ordered the traffic stop.
