Chapter 7: The Six Men Who Remembered
I read the message again.
*Your brother didn't save us, Sandra. He left us there.*
Outside the conference room, boots struck the passageway at a quick, uneven pace. A radio crackled. Somewhere below deck, a hatch slammed shut.
I stared at the photograph of the six men.
The man standing second from the left had a narrow face, dark hair, and a scar running from his temple toward his ear. He was wearing the same black cord bracelet Brandon had been carrying.
Marcus Bell.
I remembered his name from the original report.
I also remembered the description of the injuries he had sustained during Operation Blue Lantern.
"Commander Hale," I said, "how long ago did security lose sight of Brandon?""
"Seven minutes, ma'am.""
"Lock down the old communications passage. Quietly. I don't want anyone wandering into a potentially restricted area.""
Hale immediately turned toward the cybersecurity specialist.
"Pass that to security.""
Then I looked at Admiral Sloane.
"I believe my brother has evidence related to the Blue Lantern investigation.""
Sloane's expression remained guarded.
"You believe that because of the photograph?""
"Because of the photograph, the messages, and the fact that he accessed a restricted file before disappearing into a passage where he shouldn't be.""
"That's enough to justify locating him. It isn't enough to decide what he's doing there.""
"I agree.""
He studied me.
"You're going to remain with the investigative team. Captain Reeves will coordinate the ship's response.""
I nodded.
I wasn't going to turn this into a personal hunt.
Not when six men might have spent three years waiting for someone to believe them.
Captain Reeves joined us at the door.
"Security has confirmed that the communications passage is accessible from the forward administrative compartment. Two teams are moving to cover both exits.""
"Good," I said.
As we walked, my phone vibrated again.
The unknown number had sent another message.
*Don't let Brandon destroy the black case. It contains the original recording.*
I showed it to Sloane.
He stopped walking.
"What recording?""
"I don't know.""
"Forward that message to the investigator. Now.""
I did.
The response came almost immediately.
*Preserve the device. Do not access its contents without the authorized examiner.*
I understood the instruction.
I also understood what it meant.
Whatever sat inside that black case had enough significance that someone might be willing to destroy it rather than allow it to be examined.
And Brandon was carrying it.
We reached the old communications passage.
The corridor was narrower than the main shipboard passageways, its walls lined with aging equipment panels and conduit covers. Much of the compartment had been repurposed, but an older section remained behind a locked steel door.
A security petty officer stood beside it.
"Captain Reeves, Admiral Sloane," he said.
"We detected movement beyond this door. No response to the initial call.""
"Has anyone entered?"" Reeves asked.
"Negative, ma'am.""
Hale examined the access panel.
"Last electronic entry?""
The petty officer checked his tablet.
"Petty Officer First Class Owens, approximately four minutes ago.""
"Anyone else?""
"One earlier entry, using a temporary maintenance credential.""
I turned.
"Whose credential?""
The petty officer hesitated.
"That information is restricted, ma'am.""
Admiral Sloane gave him a level look.
"This is a flag-level incident involving potential unauthorized access. Share the record with the investigative officer.""
"Aye, sir.""
The petty officer tapped his screen.
Then his expression changed.
"Credential issued to civilian consultant Robert Owens.""
My father's name again.
Captain Reeves took a measured breath.
"Open the door.""
The lock released with a heavy click.
Beyond it lay a narrow compartment filled with decommissioned communication consoles, storage cabinets, and shelves of labeled equipment.
One fluorescent light flickered overhead.
At the far end, Brandon stood beside an open metal cabinet.
The black case rested on a table in front of him.
He looked up as we entered.
For once, he wasn't smiling.
"Brandon," Captain Reeves said, "step away from the table.""
He glanced at me.
"Sandra.""
"Step away from the case, Brandon.""
His eyes dropped to it.
Then he looked back at me.
"You don't understand what's happening.""
"Then explain it.""
He gave a short, bitter laugh.
"That's what you always say.""
"Because I've spent my entire life listening to you explain why something isn't your fault.""
His face tightened.
Admiral Sloane stepped forward.
"Petty Officer Owens, do not touch the case. Keep your hands visible.""
Brandon obeyed, raising them slowly.
"I wasn't going to destroy it.""
"Then you won't object to having it secured for examination," Sloane replied.
Brandon looked at the investigators.
"That's not what this is about.""
"Then what is it about?"" I asked.
He hesitated.
For a moment, I thought he might finally tell me the truth.
Instead, he said, "Dad told me you'd come.""
The words landed like a slap.
"When?""
"This morning.""
"Before or after I arrived?""
"Before.""
"How did he know?""
Brandon glanced toward the ceiling.
"He said there was a chance your inspection would reach the old Blue Lantern files.""
I felt the pieces shifting into place.
My father had anticipated the investigation.
He had warned Brandon.
And he had somehow known that my assignment would put me close enough to uncover the truth.
"What exactly did Dad tell you to do?"" I asked.
"Nothing.""
"Brandon.""
"He told me to make sure the original recording never left this ship.""
Silence filled the compartment.
Captain Reeves exchanged a glance with Admiral Sloane.
I took one step toward my brother.
"Why?""
"Because it would destroy everything.""
"What would it destroy?""
"My career.""
He swallowed.
"And his.""
The honesty was so sudden that it hurt more than another lie.
I looked at the case.
"What's on the recording?""
Brandon's eyes moved toward the cabinet behind him.
"I don't know all of it.""
"That's not an answer.""
"I heard part of it.""
"What did you hear?""
He pressed his lips together.
"Marcus Bell.""
"What's his role in this?""
Brandon's face crumpled slightly.
"He's the one who recorded it.""
I remembered the photograph.
Six men.
Six bracelets.
One story that hadn't matched the official report.
"Then why have you been carrying his bracelet?""
Brandon stared at his wrist.
He had tied the cord around it so tightly that the brass bead had left a pale indentation in his skin.
"He gave it to me.""
"Why?""
"Because he thought I was going to help them.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Help them do what?""
Brandon looked at the investigators.
Then at me.
"Tell the truth.""
Nobody spoke.
He continued in a rough voice.
"After the operation, Dad said the review was going to ruin all of us if we didn't get our stories straight. He told me the Navy couldn't afford another scandal. He said the men would be protected if the official report stayed simple.""
"And you agreed.""
"I was twenty-three months away from my next promotion. I had two disciplinary marks on my record. I thought one mistake would end my career.""
"You were willing to let six men carry the consequences.""
"I didn't know how far Dad was going to take it.""
"You signed the final report.""
His eyes closed.
"Yes.""
The word echoed through the compartment.
For thirty years, my father had taught Brandon that mistakes could be buried if the family remained united.
And for thirty years, I had been taught that mistakes were evidence I wasn't good enough.
Now Brandon had admitted what I had always suspected.
The rules had never been the same for us.
Captain Reeves moved toward the table.
"Petty Officer, I am directing you to remain clear of the case. The investigative team will secure it.""
Brandon nodded without protest.
One of the investigators approached, wearing gloves.
He photographed the case from several angles, documented its condition, and placed it inside an evidence container.
I watched every movement.
This wasn't about winning an argument with my brother.
It was about making sure the truth couldn't disappear again.
Brandon suddenly spoke.
"Sandra, there's something you need to know.""
I turned.
"The operation wasn't an accident.""
The words seemed to silence the entire compartment.
Sloane faced him.
"Explain.""
Brandon rubbed his palms together.
"The vehicle that overturned was carrying equipment we weren't supposed to be moving that night. Dad told the review board it was a routine transfer.""
"Was it?"" I asked.
"No.""
"What were you transporting?""
"I don't know everything.""
"Then tell us what you do know.""
His breathing became shallow.
"There was a second vehicle. It was supposed to meet us before the main road. It never arrived.""
"What happened to the second vehicle?""
"I don't know.""
"Who ordered the transfer?""
Brandon looked at me.
"Your name was on the original authorization.""
My heart seemed to stop.
I stared at him.
"That's impossible.""
"That's what Dad told me.""
"I never authorized a Blue Lantern transfer.""
"I know.""
"Then why would my name be on it?""
Brandon looked away.
"Because somebody wanted it there.""
Captain Reeves stepped forward.
"Do you have evidence of that?""
Brandon nodded toward the black case.
"It's in the recording.""
Before anyone could ask another question, the compartment's security alarm sounded.
A sharp electronic tone filled the passage.
The security petty officer checked his tablet.
"Captain Reeves, unauthorized access detected at the forward records terminal.""
"By whom?""
He turned the screen toward her.
The credential belonged to Robert Owens.
Again.
Admiral Sloane's face hardened.
"Secure that terminal and preserve the access logs.""
The petty officer hurried out.
I watched the evidence container being carried away.
Brandon lowered his head.
"I told Dad I wouldn't let this happen.""
I looked at him.
"Let what happen?""
He raised his eyes.
"Let the recording reach you.""
A moment later, my phone vibrated.
Another message from the unknown number.
*The original recording is only half the truth. Find the missing man's personnel file before your father does.*
I stared at the words.
Then I looked at Brandon.
"Who is the missing man?""
May you like
His face went pale.
"His name was Evan Price.""
