Chapter 4: The Authorization That Could Destroy Me
For several seconds, I couldn't breathe.
My name sat at the top of the document.
Beneath it was an authorization code assigned exclusively to me during my deployment aboard the USS Meridian.
The document claimed I had personally ordered the secondary emergency mechanism disabled forty-eight hours before the fire.
I looked at Special Agent Mercer.
"That's impossible.""
He examined the page.
"Captain, did you ever authorize this modification?""
"Never.""
My father slowly straightened his jacket.
"Well, there you have it. Perhaps everyone should consider the possibility that Evelyn was responsible for the accident.""
I turned toward him.
"You knew about this document?""
He avoided my eyes.
"Your name is on it. What am I supposed to think?""
Admiral Reed stepped between us.
"Richard, I strongly suggest you stop speaking.""
My father ignored him.
"She was the one on that ship. She had access to the equipment. She was in charge of the operation.""
I stared at him.
"I was leading the emergency response team, not approving engineering modifications.""
William Shaw suddenly spoke.
"Perhaps we should consider that Captain Harrington was under considerable stress at the time. Medical records might explain some inconsistencies.""
I turned toward him.
"You're suggesting I was mentally incompetent?""
"I'm suggesting that memories can be unreliable.""
I almost laughed.
Five years.
Five years of being called unstable by people who knew exactly what had happened.
And now they were trying to use my injuries against me.
Mercer placed the document inside an evidence sleeve.
"Captain, we need to verify the authorization independently. Do you still have your original deployment credentials?""
"Yes.""
"Did anyone else have access to them?""
"Not officially.""
"Unofficially?""
I looked at Celeste.
She was staring at the floor.
Something about her expression bothered me.
"Admiral," I said, "may I see the document again?""
Reed nodded.
Mercer handed it over.
I studied the authorization number.
Then I noticed something.
The last four digits were wrong.
I had memorized my original credential number because it had been required for every secure communication during deployment.
I pointed to the page.
"This isn't my authorization code.""
Mercer leaned closer.
"You're certain?""
"Absolutely. The actual code ends in 7419. This one ends in 7149.""
Shaw's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
I looked at him.
"You knew.""
He shook his head.
"I have no idea what you're talking about.""
"Then explain why the authorization uses a credential format that was discontinued two years before the fire.""
Mercer immediately photographed the page.
"That's significant.""
Peter Lawson stepped forward.
"There's more. The modification request was submitted through a remote administrative terminal.""
"Where?"" Reed asked.
Peter opened his binder.
"Harrington Defense headquarters. Virginia.""
My father stared at him.
"That's impossible. No one at headquarters had access to Navy operational systems.""
Peter looked directly at him.
"Someone did.""
Jonathan suddenly spoke.
"I know who.""
Everyone turned.
My brother looked terrified.
"Jon, don't," Celeste whispered.
He rubbed his forehead.
"Five years ago, Celeste asked me to help her establish a remote access connection to the company's defense systems.""
Celeste shook her head violently.
"It was for routine maintenance!""
Jonathan continued.
"You told me Dad needed to review deployment records without going through the Navy liaison.""
My father shouted, "I never asked for that!""
Jonathan looked at him.
"You gave me the instructions yourself.""
The silence that followed was unbearable.
Mercer approached Jonathan.
"Mr. Harrington, are you willing to provide a formal statement?""
Jonathan nodded.
"Yes.""
Celeste suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
"You're going to destroy this family!""
He pulled away.
"You destroyed it when you used Evelyn's credentials.""
She slapped him.
The sound echoed through the ballroom.
My mother screamed.
Admiral Reed signaled to the agents.
"Separate them.""
As the agents moved between my siblings, Celeste looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.
It wasn't hatred.
It was fear.
"Evelyn," she whispered.
"You don't understand. I was trying to protect Dad.""
"From what?""
She looked toward the black investigation folder.
"From the people who were really running Harrington Defense.""
Before I could ask another question, her phone vibrated.
She looked at the screen.
Her face drained of color.
Mercer noticed.
"Ms. Harrington, please place the phone on the table.""
She hesitated.
Then she turned the screen toward him.
A message appeared.
*YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO DESTROY THE ORIGINAL DRIVE. OTHERWISE, YOUR FAMILY WILL TAKE THE FALL.*
Below it was a photograph.
A photograph of my mother entering her house that morning.
Someone had been watching her.
My mother began shaking.
"Who sent that?""
Celeste looked at me.
"I told you. You don't know who you're dealing with.""
May you like
Then she whispered the name of the person who had sent it.
And Admiral Reed immediately ordered every exit secured.
