Chapter 3: The Man She Once Trusted
Colonel Daniel Voss stepped through the doorway in a dark uniform, flanked by two military security officers.
Sarah lowered the receiver.
“You.”
“You sound disappointed,” Voss said.
“I sound certain.”
Officer Miller moved between them.
“Colonel, did you use my credentials to issue that detention order?”
Voss barely looked at him.
“You approved emergency military cooperation six months ago.”
“I approved cooperation, not forged orders.”
“You signed without reading the authority you granted.”
Miller’s jaw tightened.
“That does not answer my question.”
Voss turned to Sarah.
“Give me the device.”
“No.”
“That was not a request.”
Sarah placed one hand over the drawer.
“Then show me the written authority allowing you to seize a Priority Flash device.”
Voss smiled faintly.
“Still hiding behind regulations.”
“They protect people from men who believe rank makes them untouchable.”
The younger deputy, Eli Carter, glanced between them.
“Colonel, Pentagon command is still on the line.”
“Disconnect it,” Voss ordered.
Eli did not move.
“Sir?”
“You heard me.”
Officer Miller reached for the receiver instead.
“This is Officer Miller.
Please remain on the line.”
One of Voss’s officers stepped forward, but Sarah blocked him with a sharp look.
“Touch that telephone,” she said, “and your name becomes part of this.”
Voss leaned closer.
“Do you think a call will save you?”
“I think it already has.”
“You always did mistake procedure for protection.”
“And you always mistook loyalty for silence.”
Miller pulled open the drawer.
The device’s red light was pulsing faster now.
“What exactly is this thing transmitting?” he asked.
“Chain of custody,” Sarah replied.
“Time, location, fingerprints, and every unsuccessful access attempt.”
Voss’s smile disappeared.
“She’s lying.”
Eli stared at the screen.
“Then why is an encrypted signal leaving this building?”
“Shut down the network,” Voss snapped.
“It isn’t using our network.”
Sarah looked directly at him.
“You arranged a false detention because you believed the Black Sky files were stored inside that device.”
Miller turned.
“Black Sky?”
“A military supply operation from twelve years ago,” Sarah said.
“Millions in emergency equipment vanished before reaching the people who needed it.”
Voss folded his arms.
“Those accusations were investigated.”
“By officers you selected.”
“And closed for lack of evidence.”
“Because the one man willing to testify never came home.”
Voss took one slow step toward her.
“Careful, Sarah.”
“My brother trusted you.”
“Major Andrew Hayes disobeyed a direct order.”
“He found altered shipment records.”
“He abandoned his assigned route.”
“He called me that night.”
A muscle moved in Voss’s cheek.
“And you did not answer.”
Sarah’s fingers curled against the desk.
Miller looked at her.
“General Hayes?”
Voss’s voice softened.
“She was too busy earning another star.
Andrew left a message, and by morning, there was no one left to rescue.”
Sarah’s face went still, but her hand began to tremble.
“Do not use my brother against me,” she said.
“Then give me the device.”
“No.”
Voss nodded to the officers behind him.
“Take her into military custody.”
Miller stepped forward.
“Not until I see a lawful order.”
Voss removed a folded document from his coat and placed it on the desk.
Miller read the first line and looked at Sarah.
“General, this suspends your clearance.”
Sarah read the signature at the bottom.
It belonged to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
Voss leaned close enough that only she could hear him.
May you like
“Your brother made the same mistake you just did,” he whispered.
“He believed the truth would arrive in time.”
