Chapter 13 - THE LAST FLIGHT OF GENERAL VOSS|
Lieutenant General Nathaniel Voss stood before the mirror in his private office and adjusted his tie.
He had slept less than two hours.
His telephone had rung throughout the night.
Two contractors were missing.
A federal search had uncovered the Baltimore facility.
Robert Hayes was cooperating with investigators.
And someone had obtained the recording of his conversation about Sergeant Claire Morgan.
Voss stared at his reflection.
For thirty-five years, he had survived political changes, military reorganizations, overseas conflicts, and investigations that had destroyed other careers.
He had never considered himself a criminal.
He preferred the word necessary.
Necessary compromises.
Necessary secrecy.
Necessary sacrifices.
But when his assistant entered with a new message, Voss finally understood that necessity would not protect him.
“Sir, your travel authorization has been flagged for review.”
Voss turned.
“By whom?”
“The Defense Department's security office.”
His jaw tightened.
“Clear it.”
“Sir, I don't have that authority.”
Voss picked up his phone.
“I do.”
He called three people.
None answered.
He tried a fourth.
The call went directly to voicemail.
For the first time in years, Nathaniel Voss felt powerless.
Across Washington, Claire sat in a conference room with Agent Shaw and General Whitmore.
Whitmore had been permitted to assist through appropriate investigative channels while the review of his own conduct continued.
He looked exhausted.
But his eyes remained sharp.
“Voss will try to leave,” he said.
Shaw nodded.
“We've notified the relevant authorities.”
Claire studied the documents on the table.
“What if he destroys the remaining evidence first?”
Shaw looked at her.
“We have preservation measures in place.”
Claire nodded.
Then Thomas entered.
He carried a sealed evidence package.
“Laura Keene agreed to cooperate.”
Whitmore stood.
“Is she safe?”
“Yes.”
Thomas placed the package before Shaw.
“She provided original authorization logs and correspondence showing how Voss approved the Northstar transfers.”
Shaw opened the inventory sheet.
“Has the evidence been authenticated?”
“Initial validation is complete.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“Does it connect him to Sentinel?”
Thomas nodded.
“Yes.”
Claire's heartbeat quickened.
“And the missing civilians?”
Thomas's expression darkened.
“There are references to those operations too.”
Shaw reviewed the documents.
Then she looked up.
“This gives us a substantially stronger basis to pursue additional warrants and charges.”
Whitmore exhaled.
Claire sat very still.
For so long, the investigation had felt like a collection of fragments.
A missing crate.
A dead soldier who wasn't dead.
A forged signature.
An assaulted colonel.
A terrified doctor.
Now the fragments were finally becoming a coherent picture.
Shaw's phone rang.
She answered and listened.
Then she stood.
“Voss has attempted to depart from a private aviation terminal.”
Claire's chest tightened.
“Is he gone?”
“No.”
“Where is he?”
“Still at the terminal.”
Whitmore looked toward Shaw.
“Do your people have authority to stop him?”
“Yes.”
Shaw closed her folder.
“They're executing the warrant now.”
At the terminal, Voss stepped toward the waiting aircraft.
A cold wind moved across the runway.
His luggage had already been loaded.
He was ten yards from the stairs when two dark vehicles approached.
Federal agents stepped out.
One held a document.
“Lieutenant General Nathaniel Voss?”
Voss stopped.
“Who wants to know?”
The agent identified herself.
“Sir, we have a federal warrant for your arrest.”
Voss gave a sharp laugh.
“This is absurd.”
“Please place your hands where we can see them.”
“Do you understand who I am?”
“Yes, sir.”
The agent's expression did not change.
“That doesn't alter the warrant.”
Voss looked toward the aircraft.
Its pilot remained inside.
For several seconds, he appeared to consider running.
Then he noticed the other officers positioned nearby.
There was nowhere to go.
He raised his hands.
As the agents approached, Voss spoke through clenched teeth.
“You're making a historic mistake.”
The lead agent answered quietly.
“You can make that argument in court.”
Back at the investigative facility, Shaw received confirmation of the arrest.
She turned toward Claire.
“Voss is in federal custody.”
Claire stared at her.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then Daniel let out a long breath.
Thomas sat down.
Evelyn covered her face with both hands.
Whitmore closed his eyes briefly.
The room remained silent until Claire asked the question that mattered most.
“What about the people who are still missing?”
Shaw looked toward her.
“We're following the remaining leads.”
Claire nodded.
“Good.”
Whitmore studied her.
“You don't sound relieved, Sergeant.”
“I am, sir.”
“Then what's troubling you?”
Claire looked at Nadia's photograph on the table.
“We caught the man who ordered it.”
She swallowed.
“But we haven't found everyone who suffered because of it.”
Whitmore nodded slowly.
“That's fair.”
The following morning, Claire received permission to visit Colonel Bennett in the hospital.
Bennett lay against several pillows, her left arm immobilized.
Bruising marked her face.
But when Claire entered, she smiled.
“Sergeant Morgan.”
Claire approached the bed.
“Colonel.”
Bennett looked at her.
“You look terrible.”
Claire laughed despite herself.
“So do you, ma'am.”
Bennett smiled weakly.
“I've had better days.”
Claire pulled up a chair.
“Voss was arrested.”
“I heard.”
“Laura Keene is safe.”
“I heard that too.”
Claire swallowed.
“Ma'am, you nearly died.”
Bennett looked toward the window.
“Yes.”
“Because you were helping me.”
Bennett turned back.
“No.”
Claire frowned.
Bennett continued.
“I was helping uphold an oath.”
She spoke slowly.
“An oath that doesn't expire when following it becomes uncomfortable.”
Claire felt tears forming.
“Thank you.”
Bennett squeezed her hand.
“Don't thank me yet.”
Claire blinked.
“Why?”
Bennett nodded toward the television.
A news bulletin had interrupted the regular broadcast.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICER ARRESTED IN MAJOR DEFENSE CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION.
Claire stared at the screen.
Bennett smiled faintly.
“Your story is about to become public.”
Claire looked back at her.
“What happens now?”
Bennett's smile faded.
“Now comes the part that requires even more courage.”
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“What's that?”
“Telling the truth when the whole country is listening.”
