Chapter 5: The List
My mother read the list twice.
Her expression barely moved.
That was how I knew she was frightened.
“What does ‘removal’ mean?”” I asked.
Price took the tablet.
“We don’t assume.””
“That’s investigator language.””
“It’s responsible language.””
“Then responsibly tell me why my mother and I are on a secret list hidden inside my husband’s wall.””
Price looked at Mom.
She answered instead.
“Because six months ago, I ordered an internal review of Sentinel Defense Systems.””
The name struck me.
“The subcontractor?””
“Yes.””
“The company connected to Grant’s transfers?””
“Yes.””
I stared at her.
“You knew?””
“I knew Sentinel was under review. I did not know Grant had any connection.””
“What kind of review?””
Mom walked toward the window.
“Equipment failures.””
“What equipment?””
“Navigation components.””
Price closed the bedroom door.
My mother continued.
“Three field units reported identical failures. Sentinel blamed maintenance. The review suggested otherwise.””
“Fraud?””
“Possibly.””
“How much money?””
“Hundreds of millions in contracts.””
My mouth went dry.
“And my command?””
Mom looked at me.
“Your new unit manages oversight for several procurement programs.””
Including Sentinel.
Now Grant’s questions made sense.
How much budget authority would I have?
What files could I access?
Who reported to me?
He hadn’t been intimidated by my rank.
He had been terrified of my access.
Price pointed to the list.
“Who are the other seven?””
Mom recognized two.
I recognized one.
Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Bell.
My former mentor.
“He retired last month,” I said.
Price’s eyes narrowed.
“No. He disappeared last month.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
“His family reported him missing twelve days ago.””
I remembered texting Marcus after hearing about his retirement.
No response.
I had assumed he wanted privacy.
“What was he investigating?””
Mom answered.
“Sentinel.””
Silence filled the room.
My daughter kicked.
I rested my palm against my belly.
Suddenly this wasn’t simply financial corruption.
A missing officer.
A secret list.
Surveillance photographs.
And someone inside my own home.
Price’s phone rang.
He stepped away.
Mom touched my shoulder.
“You need somewhere secure.””
“I’m not running.””
“Secure does not mean running.””
“It feels like it.””
“You’re carrying my granddaughter.””
“And I’m still an officer.””
Her eyes hardened.
“Those things are not mutually exclusive.””
I regretted my tone.
“Mom—”
“No. Listen to me. Courage is not standing in front of every bullet because you’re too proud to duck.””
I looked away.
She softened.
“I nearly lost you last night.””
“I know.””
“I watched him put his hands on you.””
Her voice cracked slightly.
That frightened me more than seeing her angry.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.””
“You were surviving.””
I looked at her.
She squeezed my hand.
“But now we stop surviving quietly.””
Price returned.
“We have a problem.””
“What now?””
“Colonel Lane was transferred for questioning this morning.””
“And?””
“He never arrived.””
My mother straightened.
“What do you mean?””
“The transport vehicle was stopped at a security checkpoint.””
“Legitimate checkpoint?””
“It looked legitimate.””
My skin went cold.
“Grant escaped?””
“We don’t know whether he escaped or was taken.””
Price showed us a photograph.
The transport vehicle sat abandoned beside a service road.
One rear door was open.
“Where are the MPs?””
“Alive. Unconscious. Both were found inside.””
Mom’s voice became steel.
“Who authorized the route?””
“We’re tracing that now.””
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From Grant.
*They’re going to kill me.*
I showed Price.
Another message arrived.
*I didn’t know how far my father had gone.*
Then another.
*Audrey, please. I need you.*
My anger returned instantly.
He needed me?
After the ballroom?
After the threats?
After months of fear?
I typed nothing.
Grant sent a photograph.
He was sitting somewhere dark.
Blood ran from his temple.
Behind him was a concrete wall.
Price grabbed my phone.
“Don’t respond yet.””
Then Grant called.
Price nodded.
I answered.
“Grant?””
“Audrey.””
He sounded breathless.
“Where are you?””
“I can’t tell you.””
“Are you alone?””
“No.””
A muffled sound came through.
Grant whispered, “Listen to me. My father lied.””
“About what?””
“Everything.””
“You assaulted me because I got promoted.””
“I know.””
“You stole my documents.””
“I know.””
“You threatened me.””
“I know!””
His voice broke.
Then quieter:
“I know what I did.””
I felt nothing.
Maybe I had used up all my tears.
“What do you want?””
“I need protection.””
“Call authorities.””
“I don’t know who I can trust.””
“You expect me to trust you?””
“No.””
For once, he answered honestly.
“I expect you to hate me.””
Price began tracing the call.
Grant continued.
“But Audrey, there’s something in your command system. A file. They need it deleted before October 1.””
“What file?””
“I don’t know the name.””
“Then how do you know?””
“Because my father paid me to delay your promotion.””
The room disappeared around me.
“What?””
“I was supposed to convince you to decline.””
My throat tightened.
“And when I refused?””
Grant went silent.
“Grant.””
“I was told to create a public incident.””
Mom stepped closer.
My hand started shaking.
“You attacked your pregnant wife because your father told you to?””
“No. He told me to embarrass you. Make command reconsider you. I lost control.””
As if that distinction mattered.
“Why?””
“To keep you from accessing the Sentinel archive.””
Price mouthed, Keep him talking.
“What’s in it?””
“I don’t know.””
“Stop lying!””
“I don’t know!””
A noise sounded behind him.
A door.
Grant suddenly whispered.
“They found me.””
“Who?””
“I have to go.””
“Grant—”
“One more thing.””
His breathing became ragged.
“Marcus Bell didn’t retire.””
“I know.””
“No, Audrey.””
A shadow moved behind Grant in the video feed that had suddenly activated.
He looked directly into the camera.
“Marcus found the file.””
Then someone struck him from behind.
The screen spun.
May you like
Before the connection died, another man’s voice came through.
“Find Captain Lane before she assumes command.””
