Cross looked toward the armed officers.
“Turn that device off.”
Nobody moved.
One of the officers lowered his weapon.
Then another.
Cross stared at them.
“That's an order!”
A voice came through the corridor.
“Your orders are no longer valid, General.”
Agent Brooks entered with a federal tactical team.
Behind him were investigators carrying sealed evidence cases.
Cross slowly turned.
Brooks approached.
“General Nathaniel Cross, step away from the archive.”
Cross remained still.
“You have no idea what you're interfering with.”
Brooks displayed a signed warrant.
“I know exactly what I'm interfering with.”
The officers moved in.
Cross finally lowered his hands.
But as they placed restraints around his wrists, he looked directly at Victoria.
“You think this ends with me?”
Victoria didn't answer.
Cross leaned closer.
“Ask your father what happened to Subject 001.”
David froze.
Cross smiled faintly.
“Because he wasn't the first person they took.”
Then the general was escorted away.
The room fell silent.
David looked at the computer.
The recording had stopped.
But one file remained open.
SUBJECT 001 — CURRENT LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
CHAPTER 11 — THE MAN AT THE AIRFIELD
Three days later, the federal investigation had expanded beyond the military base.
General Cross had been placed in federal custody.
Officer Vanessa Reed had been cleared of direct involvement in the original conspiracy, though her conduct during the graduation-party incident remained under review.
Lieutenant Harris had agreed to testify.
Michael Reed's death was being investigated as a homicide.
And the original Harborlight archive had been secured.
But one question remained unanswered.
Where was Thomas Carter?
David stood outside the federal field office, looking at the sunrise.
Sophia approached carrying two cups of coffee.
“Mom used to say you never drank coffee before eight.”
David smiled faintly.
“Your grandmother said a lot of things.”
Sophia handed him a cup.
“Are we going to find him?”
David looked at the horizon.
“I don't know.”
She leaned against the railing.
“Do you think he's still alive?”
David didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
“I think your grandfather has spent fourteen years trying to get home.”
Sophia rested her head against his shoulder.
“I hope he finds us.”
David kissed the top of her head.
“Me too.”
Inside the building, Victoria was reviewing a newly recovered file.
Agent Brooks entered.
“Deputy Director.”
She looked up.
“What is it?”
“We found something in the original flight manifest.”
He placed a document on her desk.
“Subject 001 was transferred through three facilities before the records were sealed.”
Victoria examined the dates.
“Where was the last transfer?”
“Norfolk.”
“That's where the photograph was taken.”
“Yes.”
Brooks placed another page beside it.
A recent security image showed an elderly man entering a small private airfield.
Victoria stared.
The man had gray hair.
A slight limp.
And a familiar face.
Thomas Carter.
“Is this confirmed?” she asked.
“Facial comparison is highly consistent. We also recovered a vehicle registered under a false identity.”
“Where is he now?”
“Unknown.”