For the first time, Charles appeared unable to find an answer.
Eleanor stared at him.
“Charles…”
He looked at her.
“Not now.”
“Did you sign that order?”
“Eleanor, stop.”
“Did you?”
He grabbed her wrist.
“Stop talking!”
The room reacted immediately.
Collins stepped forward.
“Admiral, release her.”
Charles let go.
Eleanor stumbled backward.
She looked at him in disbelief.
“You're hurting me.”
Charles stared at her.
Then he turned away.
Victoria watched the exchange.
“Interesting.”
Charles glared at her.
“What?”
“You're very comfortable intimidating people when you think nobody can challenge you.”
She touched her injured cheek.
“But you don't seem nearly as comfortable when the questions are directed at you.”
The Officer Who Refused to Leave
A young naval officer approached the group.
He was wearing a formal dress uniform, and his face showed obvious anxiety.
“Admiral Reed?”
Reed turned.
“Yes, Lieutenant?”
“Sir, there's a problem with the guest list.”
“What problem?”
The lieutenant looked at Victoria.
Then at Collins.
“Commander Hayes was not originally scheduled to attend tonight.”
Victoria frowned.
“Who invited me?”
The lieutenant checked his tablet.
“Mrs. Whitmore.”
Everyone turned toward Eleanor.
She immediately shook her head.
“That's ridiculous.”
The lieutenant continued.
“An invitation was sent to Commander Hayes three days ago. It came from Mrs. Whitmore's personal account.”
Victoria stared at Eleanor.
“You invited me?”
Eleanor's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Charles looked at his wife.
“Why?”
“I didn't.”
The lieutenant hesitated.
“Ma'am, the invitation was sent from your verified account.”
Eleanor's face went pale.
Victoria slowly looked toward the ballroom entrance.
“Who else was invited?”
The lieutenant scrolled through the list.
“Several retired officers. Three civilian defense contractors. Two congressional staff members. And—”
He stopped.
“And who?”
The lieutenant looked uncomfortable.
“Lieutenant Commander James Parker.”
Victoria froze.
“That's impossible.”
The lieutenant turned the tablet toward her.
The name was clearly visible.
JAMES PARKER — CONFIRMED ATTENDANCE.
Victoria stared at the screen.
Her hands began to tremble.
“Who confirmed it?”
“The guest himself.”
“When?”
“About forty minutes ago.”
Victoria looked around the ballroom.
“Did anyone see him?”
The lieutenant shook his head.
“No, ma'am.”
Agent Collins immediately turned toward the security team.
“Lock down the building. Check every entrance, exit, and service corridor.”
Reed gave the order to the naval security personnel.
The musicians stopped playing.
Guests began whispering.
Eleanor looked confused.
“Why would a dead man be on my guest list?”
Victoria turned toward her.
“My father isn't dead.”
Eleanor stepped back.
“What?”
Victoria looked at the tablet again.
“He's alive.”
Charles's face had become completely expressionless.
Then he said something almost too quiet to hear.
“Impossible.”
Victoria heard him.
She turned.
“You know where he is.”
Charles didn't answer.
Victoria stepped toward him.
“Where is my father?”
He looked at her.
For several seconds, his expression revealed nothing.
Then his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
His entire face changed.
Victoria watched him carefully.
“Who is it?”
Charles slowly lowered the phone.
“It's Parker.”
The room went silent.
Victoria's heart began pounding.
“Answer it.”
Charles shook his head.
“Don't.”
Victoria stared.
“Answer the phone.”
He held the device tightly.
“Commander, you have no idea what you're asking.”
Victoria's voice trembled with anger.
“That's my father.”
Charles looked toward the ballroom doors.
Then he whispered:
“Your father isn't the only person who disappeared that night.”
Victoria froze.
“What does that mean?”
Charles looked at her.
“It means someone has been using your father's name.”
Victoria's expression hardened.
“Answer the phone.”
The phone vibrated again.
Charles finally accepted the call.
He put it on speaker.
At first, there was only static.