Collins opened his folder.
“We have authority to ask questions. Whether you choose to answer is your decision.”
“Then my answer is no.”
“That's noted.”
He turned toward Charles.
“Admiral Whitmore, we'd also like to speak with you.”
Charles looked at the folder.
“Is this about the intelligence investigation?”
Collins didn't answer immediately.
“It's about several matters.”
“Which matters?”
“Unauthorized access to classified naval records, the disappearance of a protected witness, and the obstruction of a federal investigation.”
A woman near the stage gasped.
Charles's jaw tightened.
“You're making a serious accusation.”
“We're aware.”
“Do you have evidence?”
Collins closed the folder.
“We have enough to begin.”
Charles glanced toward Victoria.
“You've been planning this.”
Victoria answered without hesitation.
“For seven years.”
Eleanor looked at her.
“Seven years?”
Victoria nodded.
“Seven years, three months, and eleven days.”
Eleanor shook her head.
“You expect us to believe you have spent seven years investigating my family?”
“No,” Victoria replied. “I've spent seven years trying to find out what happened to someone who trusted your husband.”
Charles stepped forward.
“That's enough.”
Victoria turned toward him.
“No, Admiral. It isn't.”
His expression hardened.
“You are addressing a superior officer.”
“Not anymore.”
The words landed heavily.
Charles stared at her.
“What did you say?”
Victoria held his gaze.
“Your authority over this investigation ended the moment the evidence was transferred to federal custody.”
A second senior officer approached.
He was a gray-haired man wearing a formal navy uniform. His name tag read ADMIRAL THOMAS REED.
He addressed Charles.
“Your access credentials have been suspended pending review.”
Charles looked stunned.
“You can't do that here.”
“Apparently, we just did.”
Eleanor turned toward Reed.
“This is outrageous! My husband has served this country for thirty-eight years!”
Reed looked at her.
“And that service deserves respect.”
He paused.
“But it does not place him above the law.”
Eleanor's face flushed.
“You people are destroying his reputation over a misunderstanding.”
Victoria spoke quietly.
“Your husband can explain the missing records.”
Charles turned sharply.
“Don't you dare.”
Victoria didn't move.
“Then explain them yourself.”
The ballroom fell silent again.
Charles looked around.
He could feel the attention of every guest.
For decades, he had controlled rooms through reputation and rank. People had stood when he entered. They had lowered their voices when he spoke. Even senior officials had carefully chosen their words around him.
Tonight, none of that was working.
He looked toward the exit.
Two federal agents were standing there.
“Am I being detained?” he asked.
Collins answered.
“Not at this time.”
“Then I would like to leave.”
“Your departure may complicate the process.”
“That's not an answer.”
“It's the answer you're getting.”
Charles clenched his jaw.
Eleanor grabbed his arm.
“Charles, let's go.”
He didn't move.
Instead, he looked at Victoria.
“What exactly do you want?”
Victoria took a breath.
“An answer.”
“To what?”
“What happened to Lieutenant Commander James Parker?”
The name changed Charles's expression.
Only slightly.
But Victoria noticed.
So did Agent Collins.
Eleanor looked confused.
“Who is James Parker?”
Charles said nothing.
Victoria continued.
“Seven years ago, Lieutenant Commander Parker discovered that classified naval intelligence had been transferred to a private contractor without authorization. He reported it through the proper channels.”
Charles stared at her.
“He was investigated.”
“No,” Victoria said. “He was silenced.”
“That's a serious allegation.”
“He disappeared three days after filing his report.”
Charles shook his head.
“He abandoned his post.”
“His personal effects were found in his apartment. His car was still parked outside. His bank account was untouched. His daughter was waiting for him at school.”