Chapter 5: The Shadow Above
The investigation expanded quickly.
Lieutenant Vane was arrested.
But Major Hale vanished.
His office was empty.
His files were missing.
His vehicle was gone.
Someone powerful had helped him escape.
Captain Ward and I searched through old records.
Every stolen shipment had one thing in common.
A signature.
Hale’s.
“He’s been doing this for years,” I said.
Ward nodded.
“But he had help.””
We found the final piece in an old maintenance report.
A technician had reported unusual activity near the depot.
The report was ignored.
The technician’s name was Thomas Reed.
I remembered him.
A quiet man.
Always watching.
We found him repairing equipment behind the training grounds.
When he saw us, he dropped his tools.
“You found it,” he whispered.
“Found what?”” I asked.
“The truth.””
He admitted he had discovered Hale’s operation months ago.
“But nobody listened.””
“Why didn’t you report again?”” Ward asked.
His eyes filled with fear.
“Because the person protecting Hale was someone above him.””
“Who?””
Reed looked around.
Then he whispered:
“The commander of this entire base.””
A cold silence followed.
The highest-ranking officer.
The one everyone trusted.
General Adrian Cross.
Before we could ask more, a shot rang out.
Reed collapsed.
I ran toward him.
The attacker was already gone.
But on the ground beside Reed was a piece of paper.
May you like
Three words written in black ink.
*You’re next, Cole.*
