Chapter 6 - The Signature.
No one in the conference room spoke for a long moment.
General Ward remained standing near the window with both hands at his sides.
The city moved normally outside.
Traffic lights changed.
Buses stopped.
People crossed streets holding coffee.
Inside the room, Avery felt as if the floor had shifted beneath everything she believed about Falcon Ridge.
"Explain," she said.
Ward turned from the window.
"Sixteen days before the operation, aviation command had a shortage of certified shielding panels," he began.
"Three transports were grounded."
Noah's jaw tightened.
"So Stratton offered temporary units."
Ward nodded.
"They offered a batch that had passed preliminary thermal testing but not full mountain certification."
Avery stared at him.
"And you approved them."
"For training flights below a specific altitude."
"Falcon Ridge was not below that altitude."
"I know."
Marcus Lee pushed his chair back.
"Then why was one on our aircraft?"
Ward looked toward the table.
"I do not know."
Marcus scoffed.
"That is convenient."
Avery raised one hand.
Marcus fell quiet, though his expression remained furious.
Ward continued.
"My authorization was temporary and limited."
"Was it written that way?" Avery asked.
"Yes."
"Can you prove it?"
Ward's silence was answer enough.
Noah opened the photocopied maintenance papers again.
"The version I found only shows the final acceptance."
Avery looked at Ward.
"Who had the authority to expand your approval?"
"Procurement command and operational safety together."
"Camille was procurement liaison."
"Yes."
"Reese was review authority."
"Yes."
Avery breathed slowly.
The pieces were beginning to align, but alignment was not proof.
Maya was still on the phone.
"There is more," she said.
Avery moved closer to the speaker.
"Go on."
"Ward's original approval includes the altitude restriction."
Ward shut his eyes briefly.
Relief crossed his face and vanished.
"You have it?"
"I photographed it."
"Where?"
"From Camille's safe."
Noah stared at the phone.
"You broke into her safe?"
Maya sounded offended.
"I know the code."
Dana almost laughed.
Avery did not.
"Why were you at Camille's house?"
Maya hesitated.
"She called me after the gala started."
"Why?"
"She wanted to know whether I had ever spoken to Noah."
Noah folded his arms.
"And what did you say?"
"I lied."
"Good."
Maya ignored him.
"Then she asked me to stay at her house because she said reporters might come after family members."
Avery glanced at Ward.
Camille had brought Maya close, not because she trusted her, but because she wanted control.
"How did you find the document?" Avery asked.
"Camille took a shower around one in the morning."
"You searched her safe while she showered?"
"Yes."
Avery almost smiled despite the tension.
Maya had always been quiet, but never timid.
"I found a folder labeled Stratton," Maya said.
"It contained your limited approval, General Ward."
Ward placed both hands on the table.
"Send it now."
"I cannot."
Everyone froze.
"Why not?" Avery asked.
"Because I think my phone is being mirrored."
Noah leaned closer.
"What makes you think that?"
"Camille repeated part of a message I had only sent to you."
Avery looked at Noah.
He nodded grimly.
"Possible."
Maya continued.
"I left the house before sunrise."
"Where is Camille now?"
"I do not know."
Avery walked to the door and checked the hallway through the small window.
Empty.
"Maya, listen carefully," she said.
"Do not send anything electronically."
"I know."
"Do you have the photographs somewhere safe?"
"Yes."
"Do you have the full diagnostic file?"
"Yes."
"Then we meet in person."
Ward shook his head.
Avery ignored him.
Maya did not answer immediately.
"I can meet tonight," she said.
"Where?"
"The old base chapel at Fort Mercer."
Avery knew the place.
It had been closed for renovation and was mostly unused after dark.
"Nine o'clock," Maya said.
"Come alone."
Ward immediately mouthed no.
Avery turned away from him.
"Why alone?"
"Because Camille thinks you do not trust Ward anymore."
Avery's eyes narrowed.
"Does she know that, or is she hoping it?"
"I do not know."
The line crackled.
Maya suddenly whispered, "I have to go."
"Maya, wait."
"Avery, there is one more thing in the Stratton folder."
"What?"
"A guest list."
Avery frowned.
"For what?"
"Last night's gala."
Ward straightened.
Maya's voice grew quieter.
"Your table assignment, Camille's table assignment, the camera position, even the exact time of the keynote speech."
Avery felt a chill.
"Why would Stratton have that?"
"Because the gala incident was not Camille improvising," Maya said.
"It was scheduled."
The call ended.
Noah stared at Avery.
Dana whispered, "Scheduled by who?"
Avery looked at the paused viral video on her phone.
The frame captured Camille's hand at the back of her gown.
For the first time, Avery noticed a man standing twenty feet behind them, half hidden by a column.
He was not watching the stage.
May you like
He was watching Camille.
And clipped to his jacket was a Stratton Aeronautics security badge.
