Hayes's voice became quieter.
“Where were they taken?”
“I don't know.”
“Did you see the transfer order?”
“Yes.”
“Who signed it?”
Turner looked at her.
“Colonel Andrew Pierce.”
Hayes placed a photograph on the table.
“Is this the man?”
Turner examined it.
“Yes.”
“Are you certain?”
“Absolutely.”
Hayes took the photograph back.
“Do you know that Colonel Pierce is officially deceased?”
Turner nodded.
“I found out two weeks after he disappeared.”
“Then who gave you the order?”
Turner hesitated.
“General Cross.”
Hayes waited.
“Did you see him?”
“No.”
“Did you speak to him?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
Turner reached inside his jacket and removed a folded piece of paper.
“I recorded the authorization.”
Hayes unfolded it.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
APPROVED — N. CROSS.
But something else caught her attention.
The paper had been printed on a special form used by the Office of Special Investigations.
Hayes looked at Turner.
“Where did you get this?”
“From the original maintenance office.”
“Who gave it to you?”
“No one.”
Turner leaned closer.
“I found it inside the aircraft's flight log.”
Hayes studied the paper.
“Why didn't you bring this forward earlier?”
Turner gave a bitter smile.
“Because I didn't know who I could trust.”
Hayes nodded slowly.
It was an answer she understood.
Then she stood.
“Lieutenant Mitchell will arrange a secure transfer for you and your family.”
Turner immediately looked alarmed.
“My family?”