Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE LOCKED DOOR|
By dawn, investigators had obtained emergency judicial authorization to search the Baltimore warehouse based on the evidence presented.
Claire was not permitted to participate in the operation.
She hated that.
She understood it.
But she hated it.
She stood in a secure waiting area while Special Agent Shaw coordinated with the responsible federal teams.
Thomas sat beside her.
For several minutes, they said nothing.
Finally, Claire spoke.
“Dad, why didn't you tell me what happened before you retired?”
Thomas looked down at his hands.
“Because I was ashamed.”
Claire turned toward him.
“Of what?”
“Of leaving.”
“You were forced out.”
“I still left.”
Claire frowned.
Thomas continued.
“I knew the contracts were suspicious.”
“I knew people were being intimidated.”
“And when I couldn't prove enough to stop it, I told myself I'd done everything I could.”
Claire looked at him quietly.
“I thought retirement would protect your mother and you.”
He swallowed.
“Instead, I watched other people take the risks I had been afraid to take.”
Claire shook her head.
“You kept the evidence.”
“That doesn't erase the years I waited.”
“No.”
She placed her hand over his.
“But it means you never stopped caring.”
Thomas looked away.
His eyes shone.
“You've become a better soldier than I ever was.”
Claire gave a faint smile.
“I'm still working on becoming a better daughter.”
Thomas laughed softly.
“You're doing fine.”
Across the room, Daniel sat beside Evelyn.
His wound had been properly treated.
He still looked exhausted.
But for the first time since Claire had seen him alive, he appeared hopeful.
Evelyn stared at her wedding ring.
“My husband tried to convince me to leave my father years ago.”
Daniel spoke gently.
“You didn't know what he was involved in.”
“I knew Michael was afraid.”
“That isn't the same.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“He told me one night that there were things my father had done that no amount of loyalty could excuse.”
She wiped her cheek.
“I thought he was being dramatic.”
Daniel shook his head.
“He was trying to save you.”
Before Evelyn could answer, Shaw entered.
Everyone stood.
“We've secured the property.”
Claire held her breath.
“And?”
Shaw looked toward Evelyn.
“There were seven individuals inside.”
Evelyn covered her mouth.
“Seven?”
“All are alive.”
Claire felt her knees weaken.
Shaw continued.
“Preliminary interviews indicate that several were being held against their will.”
Thomas closed his eyes.
Claire stepped forward.
“Nadia Rahman?”
Shaw nodded.
“She was among them.”
Claire pressed a hand against her chest.
“Can I speak with her?”
“Not yet.”
Claire nodded reluctantly.
“She's receiving medical care and will speak with trained investigators first.”
“What about the other four people?”
Shaw's expression grew serious.
“We're still trying to locate them.”
Claire's relief faltered.
Four remained missing.
Four names still had no answers.
Shaw continued.
“We also recovered records that appear to document additional unauthorized transfers.”
Daniel looked up.
“Sentinel?”
“Among other things.”
Thomas leaned forward.
“Did you find the transport ledger?”
Shaw nodded.
“Yes.”
Claire immediately noticed her expression.
“What's wrong?”
Shaw hesitated.
“The ledger contains destinations we haven't yet verified.”
“What destinations?”
Shaw looked at Claire.
“One entry refers to an overseas holding facility.”
The room went silent.
“And another refers to a private installation that appears to have been decommissioned.”
Thomas frowned.
“Where?”
“New Mexico.”
Claire felt something click into place.
Depot Seven had received several shipments from New Mexico.
She had dismissed them as routine transfers because the paperwork appeared consistent.
Now she understood why Daniel had highlighted one of the facility codes.
She turned to Shaw.
“Ma'am, I can help identify those shipment numbers.”
Shaw nodded.
“We'll arrange an authorized review.”
Several hours later, Nadia Rahman asked to speak with Claire.
The request surprised everyone.
Claire entered a quiet medical consultation room under an investigator's supervision.
Nadia sat beside the window.
She looked tired but alert.
Her dark hair was pulled into a loose braid.
When Claire entered, Nadia stood.
“Sergeant Morgan?”
“Yes.”
Nadia's eyes filled with tears.
“I know your name.”
Claire stopped.
“You do?”
Nadia nodded.
“One of the guards brought us food three weeks ago.”
“He was angry.”
“He said some sergeant was making trouble about missing equipment.”
Claire felt her face heat.
Nadia continued.
“He told us not to expect help.”
“I'm sorry.”
Nadia shook her head.
“Then a different guard came later.”
“What did he say?”
“He said someone named Morgan had filed a report.”
Nadia took a shaky breath.
“He told us the report had reached a four-star general.”
Claire sat down slowly.
Nadia smiled through tears.
“That was the first time we believed somebody outside knew.”
Claire could barely speak.
“I didn't even know you were there.”
Nadia reached for her hand.
“You don't have to know someone's name to save them.”
Claire looked down.
For weeks, powerful men had made her feel insignificant.
A sergeant.
A nobody.
Someone who should keep her mouth shut.
Now a woman who had survived unlawful confinement was holding her hand because Claire had refused to ignore a discrepancy.
Nadia leaned closer.
“There's something else.”
Claire looked up.
“What?”
“I heard them talking before the investigators arrived.”
“Who?”
“The guards.”
Nadia's voice trembled.
“They said their boss had ordered everything moved.”
“Moved where?”
Nadia shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Then she swallowed.
“But one of them said the operation was ending.”
Claire felt a terrible sensation in her stomach.
“Ending?”
Nadia nodded.
“He said they were going to destroy whatever evidence was left.”
Claire stood.
She knew exactly who needed to hear that.
When she reached the hallway, Shaw was already approaching.
“Sergeant, we have a development.”
Claire stopped.
“What happened?”
Shaw's face was grave.
“Robert Hayes has requested a meeting.”
Claire stared.
“With whom?”
May you like
Shaw looked directly at her.
“You.”
