Chapter 7 - The Man Behind the Camera.
The man in the viral video was named Elliot Crane.
Noah identified him within twenty minutes.
He had worked corporate security for Stratton Aeronautics for nine years and had previously served as an investigator in military procurement.
That combination made Avery uneasy.
It meant he understood both systems.
It also meant he knew exactly how far a person could move inside each one without attracting attention.
Dana enlarged the gala image on the conference room screen.
Crane stood near a marble column with an earpiece visible beneath his hair.
His right hand was raised near his jacket cuff.
Avery recognized the posture.
"He is communicating with someone," she said.
Noah nodded.
"Probably a concealed microphone."
Marcus crossed his arms.
"So Camille embarrasses Avery on cue, a camera is already framed, and corporate security watches the whole thing."
Evan looked at Ward.
"You still think this is about protecting one bad maintenance decision?"
Ward's expression was grim.
"No."
Avery understood why.
A maintenance error could cost money.
A falsified report could end careers.
A coordinated public campaign meant something larger was at risk.
She turned to Noah.
"What contracts did Stratton receive after Falcon Ridge?"
Noah began searching public records.
Dana did the same.
Within half an hour, the answer filled the screen.
Stratton had received a major expansion contract eleven months after the incident.
The agreement covered emergency flight shielding systems across multiple commands.
It was worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Avery stared at the award date.
"Eleven months," she said.
Noah looked at her.
"The same month my clearance review started."
Ward's face hardened.
"And the same month the Falcon Ridge archive was marked for disposal."
The room went quiet again.
Avery finally saw the shape of the problem.
Falcon Ridge had not merely been an embarrassing test failure.
It had been a threat to a later contract.
If the original failure had remained in the official record, Stratton's expansion deal might have faced delay or cancellation.
Someone had needed the equipment failure to look less important.
Someone had needed Avery's command decisions to look more important.
Camille had been useful because she controlled both access and narrative.
"Find Crane," Avery said.
Noah shook his head.
"He will know we are looking."
"Good."
"Good?"
"People make mistakes when they know the clock is moving."
Ward studied her.
"You sound like you are back in command."
Avery met his eyes.
"I never left."
At noon, the story changed online again.
A new video appeared.
This one was longer.
It included General Ward's salute.
It included the crowd standing.
It included Camille saying, "Then maybe the public should hear everything."
The caption was different.
WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT FALCON RIDGE?
Avery watched the full clip once.
"Who posted it?" she asked.
Dana checked.
"Anonymous account created today."
Noah leaned closer to the screen.
"Look at the angle."
The footage had been recorded from the opposite side of the room from the first viral video.
Avery could see Crane clearly.
More importantly, she could see the person holding the first camera.
A young event photographer stood near the stage.
Beside him was Camille's assistant, whispering while pointing toward Avery.
"Two cameras," Marcus said.
"One for the attack and one for the reaction," Dana added.
Avery paused the video again.
In the background, Crane checked his watch exactly three seconds before Camille moved.
That was enough for Avery.
"It was timed," she said.
Ward nodded.
"Maya was right."
Avery's phone rang.
This time the caller was Camille.
Everyone looked at the screen.
Avery answered.
"You have been busy," Camille said.
Her voice was calm.
"So have you."
"The longer version makes you look heroic."
"You sound disappointed."
Camille laughed softly.
"No, Avery. I sound realistic."
Avery stepped away from the table.
"Where is Maya?"
"You should ask Maya."
"She was at your house."
A pause.
Small, but real.
"Family visits family," Camille replied.
"Corporate security attends family visits too?"
This time the pause was longer.
"Careful," Camille said.
Avery's voice lowered.
"You pulled my dress in front of three hundred people."
"And you survived."
"That was your first mistake."
Camille's tone sharpened.
"You think this is a game because Ward saluted you."
"No."
Avery looked across the room at her crew.
"I think you are afraid of seven missing minutes."
The silence on the line told her she had landed close to the truth.
Camille recovered quickly.
"Meet me tonight," she said.
Avery's pulse shifted.
"Where?"
"The Carlton Hotel bar. Eight o'clock. Public place. No uniforms."
"Why?"
"Because you deserve to know what Ward is not telling you."
Avery glanced at him.
Ward's expression darkened.
"And what is that?"
Camille's voice softened.
"He knew the shielding was on your aircraft before you took off."
The line disconnected.
Avery stared at Ward.
Noah closed his laptop.
Marcus muttered, "That better be a lie."
Ward slowly sat down.
"It is not," he said.
Avery felt the room tilt again.
"You knew?"
Ward looked directly at her.
"I knew a temporary unit had been installed."
Avery's voice came out flat.
"Before takeoff?"
"Yes."
"And you let us fly?"
Ward's face showed something Avery had not seen in him before.
Shame.
"Because I was told it had been upgraded to full certification that morning."
Avery stepped back.
"Told by who?"
May you like
Ward answered with one name.
"Camille Sloane."
