EVELYN: "I want to discuss the original maintenance work orders."
Parker nodded.
PARKER: "Of course."
EVELYN: "Why were several original inspection documents transferred out of the maintenance archive?"
PARKER: "They were reorganized."
EVELYN: "By whose instruction?"
PARKER: "Administrative procedure."
EVELYN: "Which procedure?"
Parker hesitated.
PARKER: "I would need to check."
Evelyn looked toward Martin Cole.
EVELYN: "Mr. Cole, can you confirm that explanation?"
COLE: "The documents were moved to a temporary archive."
EVELYN: "Why?"
COLE: "To simplify the monthly reporting process."
EVELYN: "Who approved that change?"
Cole looked at Parker.
Parker looked down.
Neither answered.
Evelyn opened another folder.
Inside were copies of several transfer records.
EVELYN: "These documents show that the original work orders were moved on the same day that the operational readiness report was finalized."
PARKER: "That may be correct."
EVELYN: "And the transfer request carries your authorization."
PARKER: "I handled the administrative process."
EVELYN: "Did you read the documents before moving them?"
PARKER: "Not every document."
EVELYN: "Then how did you determine that they belonged in a different archive?"
Parker swallowed.
PARKER: "I was following instructions."
EVELYN: "From whom?"
He remained silent.
Thomas placed another document on the table.
THOMAS: "This is an email from Lieutenant Parker to Martin Cole."
Evelyn read the subject line.
The message instructed Cole to separate several unresolved inspection reports from the monthly readiness package.
EVELYN: "Why were these reports separated?"
PARKER: "They were incomplete."
EVELYN: "That is precisely why they should have remained visible."
PARKER: "I didn't want the report delayed."
EVELYN: "So you removed information that could have affected the operational readiness assessment?"
PARKER: "I was trying to keep the reporting process moving."
EVELYN: "Did you understand the implications?"
Parker looked at the table.
PARKER: "At the time, I didn't think it would become a problem."
Evelyn closed the folder.
EVELYN: "A safety issue does not disappear because someone removes it from a report."
Parker did not respond.
She turned toward Martin Cole.
EVELYN: "Did you know the original documents were being separated because they contained unresolved maintenance issues?"
COLE: "I knew they were incomplete."
EVELYN: "Did you tell anyone?"
COLE: "No."
EVELYN: "Why?"
COLE: "I was told it was a temporary administrative arrangement."
EVELYN: "By whom?"
Cole looked at Parker.
PARKER: "Don't involve me in something I didn't authorize."
COLE: "You sent me the instructions!"
PARKER: "I told you to reorganize the archive, not hide anything."
COLE: "You specifically told me to keep those documents out of the readiness package."
Parker raised his voice.
PARKER: "Because they were incomplete!"
Evelyn lifted one hand.
EVELYN: "Both of you, stop."
The room became quiet.
EVELYN: "We are not going to turn this interview into an argument. Each of you will have an opportunity to provide your own statement."
Thomas nodded.
The legal officer began recording the proceedings.
As the interview continued, the picture became clearer.
Parker had received instructions from the command office to prepare the monthly readiness report.
He had then instructed Cole to separate incomplete inspection records.
Cole had followed those instructions without questioning whether the documents should remain part of the official report.
Kyle had subsequently approved aircraft using the incomplete records.
Commander Harris had signed the overall readiness summary.
General Whitmore's office had received the final figures.
No single person had admitted responsibility for the entire process.
But each person had contributed to it.
Evelyn looked at the two men.
EVELYN: "Do you understand why this investigation is necessary?"
PARKER: "Yes, ma'am."
COLE: "Yes."
EVELYN: "Then I expect complete cooperation."
The interviews continued until evening.
By then, the independent aviation team had completed its preliminary assessment.
Four aircraft remained suspended pending further inspection.
Several maintenance records had been preserved.
The original work orders had been recovered.
And the security footage from Hangar Four had been secured.
Major Collins approached Evelyn.
COLLINS: "Chairwoman, we have the footage."
EVELYN: "Have you reviewed it?"
COLLINS: "The initial review confirms the sequence described by the witnesses."
EVELYN: "And the maintenance office recordings?"
COLLINS: "Those have also been preserved."
EVELYN: "Good."
COLLINS: "There is one additional matter."
EVELYN: "Go ahead."
COLLINS: "We found an email exchange between Sergeant Brody and Lieutenant Parker."
EVELYN: "What does it contain?"
COLLINS: "A discussion about the original inspection reports."
He handed her a printed copy.
Evelyn read the first message.
Kyle had asked Parker whether the unresolved work orders could be removed from the monthly report.
Parker had replied that the archive could be reorganized.
A second message showed Kyle confirming that the aircraft would be approved before the next operational review.
Evelyn looked up.