Equipment purchases appeared on official documents.
Overtime payments had been approved for employees who claimed they had worked overnight shifts.
The money disappeared through a complicated network of subcontractors and consulting companies.
At first, it looked like ordinary financial misconduct.
Then Victoria discovered something more disturbing.
Several local law-enforcement officers were connected to the company.
Some had received unexplained payments.
Others had relatives employed by subcontractors.
And a small number appeared to have used their authority to intimidate people who asked questions.
Victoria’s investigation had been confidential.
Only a handful of federal officials knew the full scope of it.
She had been traveling that afternoon to meet an accountant who had agreed to provide original records.
She never made it to the meeting.
Because Officers Grant and Miller were waiting on the roadside.
