MITCHELL: "We need a complete technical review before determining the operational risk. But I would not recommend returning any of these aircraft to service until the inspection is finished."
EVELYN: "Then none of them returns to service before that."
Mitchell nodded.
As the inspection continued, a vehicle stopped outside the hangar.
A senior official stepped out.
General Richard Whitmore had arrived.
He entered the building accompanied by two aides.
His uniform was immaculate.
His expression was controlled.
He looked around the hangar before approaching Evelyn.
WHITMORE: "Chairwoman Vance."
EVELYN: "General Whitmore."
WHITMORE: "I understand there have been some concerns regarding the maintenance records."
EVELYN: "More than concerns."
Whitmore glanced toward the aircraft.
WHITMORE: "I was told the situation was under control."
EVELYN: "Who told you that?"
WHITMORE: "Commander Harris."
Evelyn turned toward the commander.
Harris remained near the maintenance office.
WHITMORE: "Perhaps we should discuss this privately."
EVELYN: "We can discuss the findings here."
Whitmore's expression tightened.
WHITMORE: "There are sensitive matters involved."
EVELYN: "Then we should be particularly careful to preserve the records."
Whitmore looked toward Mitchell.
WHITMORE: "What is your assessment?"
MITCHELL: "Several aircraft have unresolved maintenance discrepancies. We're conducting independent inspections."
WHITMORE: "Are you suggesting they were improperly cleared?"
MITCHELL: "I'm saying the available documentation does not support their current operational status."
Whitmore looked toward Evelyn.
WHITMORE: "Chairwoman, these aircraft have been operating under approved procedures."
EVELYN: "Then why do their inspection records contain unresolved discrepancies?"
WHITMORE: "There may be administrative errors."
EVELYN: "Four aircraft, twelve questionable approvals, missing work orders, and multiple technicians reporting pressure to sign incomplete documents."
Whitmore said nothing.
Evelyn opened her folder.
EVELYN: "And this is your authorization."
She placed the document in front of him.
Whitmore examined it.
His face remained calm, but his eyes moved quickly across the page.
WHITMORE: "I recognize the communication."
EVELYN: "Then explain it."
WHITMORE: "My office issued general readiness guidance. We did not instruct anyone to falsify technical inspections."
EVELYN: "Did you review the implementation of that guidance?"
WHITMORE: "That responsibility belonged to the installation command."
EVELYN: "Did you know the original maintenance records had been moved?"
WHITMORE: "No."
EVELYN: "Did you know technicians had reported pressure to approve incomplete work?"
WHITMORE: "No."
Evelyn looked at him.
EVELYN: "Then we have a serious failure of oversight."
Whitmore closed the document.
WHITMORE: "I agree that the matter should be investigated."
EVELYN: "It already is."
Whitmore glanced toward Commander Harris.
WHITMORE: "Commander, I would like a complete briefing."
Evelyn interrupted.
EVELYN: "You will receive the same documented findings as everyone else."
Whitmore turned toward her.
WHITMORE: "I'm a senior officer, Chairwoman."
EVELYN: "And I'm responsible for ensuring this review is independent."
For several seconds, they stared at one another.
Then Whitmore nodded.
WHITMORE: "Very well."
He stepped aside.
Evelyn knew that his arrival had changed the atmosphere.
Until then, the investigation had involved people within one installation.
Now it had reached senior command.
The consequences could be significant.
But she had no intention of allowing rank or reputation to determine what the evidence meant.
By late afternoon, the first interviews had begun.
Daniel Mercer provided a detailed account of the unresolved inspection.
Two other technicians confirmed that they had been instructed to complete documentation before replacement components arrived.
Another technician produced a handwritten note showing that he had reported a discrepancy three months earlier.
The note had never been entered into the official maintenance system.
A fourth technician revealed that Lieutenant Parker had instructed him to remove an attachment from an inspection report because it might delay operational approval.
Each statement added another piece to the investigation.
And each piece pointed toward the same administrative chain.
Lieutenant Parker had been responsible for collecting the documents.
Martin Cole had managed the archive.
Commander Harris had overseen the installation's readiness reports.
General Whitmore's office had issued the pressure to maintain operational availability.
Kyle Brody had signed the technical approvals.
The investigation was no longer focused on one person.
It was focused on a system that had allowed people to avoid accountability.
At approximately six in the evening, Thomas Reed approached Evelyn.
THOMAS: "Ma'am, Lieutenant Parker has arrived."
EVELYN: "Where is he?"
THOMAS: "In the conference room."
EVELYN: "Has he provided a statement?"
THOMAS: "Not yet."
EVELYN: "Let's speak with him."
They walked toward the conference room.
Lieutenant Samuel Parker was waiting at the table.
He was a young officer in his early thirties, with neatly combed hair and a nervous expression.
Martin Cole sat beside him.
Neither looked particularly comfortable.
Evelyn entered.
Both men stood.
PARKER: "Chairwoman."
EVELYN: "Please sit."
She placed a folder on the table.