GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "Then find out."
The commander nodded and returned to his team.
Daniel approached Evelyn a few moments later.
DANIEL REEVES: "Colonel, I have the first witness statements."
EVELYN CARTER: "How many?"
DANIEL REEVES: "Seven so far. Four officers, two civilian guests, and the master of ceremonies."
EVELYN CARTER: "Any inconsistencies?"
DANIEL REEVES: "The accounts are remarkably consistent. They all say Lawson approached the podium, argued with you, and grabbed your arm first."
EVELYN CARTER: "What about Martin Hale?"
Daniel hesitated.
DANIEL REEVES: "He has not submitted a statement."
EVELYN CARTER: "Did you speak with him?"
DANIEL REEVES: "Briefly. He said he needed to consult with his office before making a formal statement."
EVELYN CARTER: "He was a direct witness."
DANIEL REEVES: "I told him that."
EVELYN CARTER: "Then make sure his decision is documented."
Daniel nodded.
DANIEL REEVES: "There's something else. One of the civilian guests told me that Lawson had been speaking with him before the ceremony."
EVELYN CARTER: "About what?"
DANIEL REEVES: "Your position on the procurement committee."
Evelyn looked toward Richard.
He was still standing beside his attorney, occasionally turning to glance at her.
EVELYN CARTER: "What exactly did the witness hear?"
DANIEL REEVES: "He said Lawson told him that the contract would be approved soon and that certain people would no longer be able to interfere."
EVELYN CARTER: "Did he mention names?"
DANIEL REEVES: "He specifically mentioned you."
Evelyn remained silent for a moment.
DANIEL REEVES: "Colonel, do you think he knew the revised assessment was incomplete?"
EVELYN CARTER: "We don't know that yet."
DANIEL REEVES: "But he seemed confident."
EVELYN CARTER: "Confidence isn't evidence. Find out whether the witness is willing to provide a formal statement."
DANIEL REEVES: "I'll handle it."
As Daniel walked away, the general approached Evelyn again.
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "Colonel, I have just received a call from Deputy Director Price."
Evelyn turned toward him.
EVELYN CARTER: "What did he want?"
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "He wants to know why the ceremony was interrupted and why Lawson was prevented from leaving."
EVELYN CARTER: "The security team is documenting an incident involving physical contact with an officer."
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "I explained that."
EVELYN CARTER: "And?"
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "He asked whether we could resolve the matter informally."
Evelyn's expression hardened.
EVELYN CARTER: "Informally?"
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "He suggested that a private apology might prevent unnecessary damage to the institution's reputation."
EVELYN CARTER: "Did he ask Mr. Lawson to apologize?"
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "No."
Evelyn looked toward the entrance.
Richard was still speaking with his attorney.
EVELYN CARTER: "Then whose apology was he expecting?"
The general did not answer immediately.
That silence told her enough.
EVELYN CARTER: "Sir, I have no objection to a fair review of the incident. But I will not accept pressure to withdraw an accurate statement."
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "I told him the matter would be handled through the appropriate process."
EVELYN CARTER: "Thank you."
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "He wasn't pleased."
EVELYN CARTER: "I didn't expect him to be."
The general looked at her for several seconds.
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "You should prepare for another call."
EVELYN CARTER: "From Deputy Director Price?"
GENERAL MICHAEL HARRINGTON: "Possibly from someone above him."
Evelyn nodded.
She had learned long ago that pressure rarely arrived in a single form.
Sometimes it came as a direct threat.
Sometimes it came as a friendly suggestion.
And sometimes it came from people who never mentioned the issue directly but made it clear that they expected cooperation.
She returned to the conference room to complete her formal statement.
Meanwhile, Richard Lawson was making his own arrangements.
He had moved into a smaller administrative office near the entrance, where he could speak privately with his attorney.
His voice was low, but his anger was obvious.
RICHARD LAWSON: "I want the recording."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "You will need to submit a formal request."
RICHARD LAWSON: "Then submit it."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "The recording has been placed under preservation. They may not release it until the investigation is complete."
RICHARD LAWSON: "I'm the person who was assaulted. I have a right to see it."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "You have a right to request relevant evidence. That doesn't mean they have to hand over the original footage immediately."
RICHARD LAWSON: "Then get someone to make it happen."
Jonathan looked at him carefully.
JONATHAN PIERCE: "I can contact the legal office. I cannot guarantee that anyone will interfere with an active evidence-preservation process."
Richard stood near the window.
RICHARD LAWSON: "You don't understand how serious this is."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "I understand that you were involved in a public confrontation with a senior military officer."
RICHARD LAWSON: "She humiliated me."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "That isn't the same thing as being assaulted."
Richard turned sharply.
RICHARD LAWSON: "Whose side are you on?"
JONATHAN PIERCE: "I'm on the side of making sure you don't make this worse."
Richard stared at him.
JONATHAN PIERCE: "Did you know the cameras would capture everything?"
RICHARD LAWSON: "Of course I knew there were cameras."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "Then why did you approach her?"
Richard did not answer.
Jonathan waited.
RICHARD LAWSON: "She was trying to destroy the contract."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "That is not an answer."
RICHARD LAWSON: "She had no right to stand there and accuse people of corruption."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "Did she accuse you of corruption?"
Richard's silence became longer.
Jonathan slowly closed his briefcase.
JONATHAN PIERCE: "Richard, I need to know whether there is anything about that contract that could create a separate legal problem."
RICHARD LAWSON: "No."
JONATHAN PIERCE: "Are you certain?"
RICHARD LAWSON: "I said no."
Jonathan studied him.
JONATHAN PIERCE: "Then why are you so concerned about what she said?"
Richard walked toward the desk and picked up his phone.