“You're going to regret making this personal.”
Holloway stepped closer. “Is that a threat?”
“No.”
Elijah raised his eyes.
“It's advice.”
Then every police radio on Briarwood Lane crackled.
Static swallowed the street.
A voice followed.
“Attention all units at the Reed residence. Hold your positions. Do not advance.”
Officers looked at one another.
Holloway grabbed his shoulder radio. “Identify.”
The response came immediately.
“This communication is being transmitted under authority of the United States Department of Defense. All Cedar Valley units are directed to suspend detention activity involving Elijah Nathaniel Reed until federal representatives assume control of the scene.”
The sheriff's face changed.
“No,” he said into the radio. “This is a county investigation.”
“Sheriff Holloway, acknowledge the stand-down order.”
For several seconds, Holloway said nothing.
Then a black government SUV appeared beyond the police vehicles.
It was identical to the one Elijah had seen during the first search.
The officers at the barricade moved aside.
A woman in a dark civilian suit stepped from the passenger side, followed by a uniformed Army major carrying a sealed document case. Neither rushed, and neither appeared impressed by the rifles, cameras, or sheriff waiting in the road.
The major approached the porch.
Then he stopped in front of Elijah and saluted.
“Colonel Reed.”