Daniel glanced at Kyle again.
DANIEL: "Sergeant Brody."
A heavy silence followed.
Kyle's expression hardened.
KYLE: "That's a lie."
DANIEL: "I'm telling the truth, Sergeant."
KYLE: "You were never instructed to delay anything."
DANIEL: "I still have the original work order."
Evelyn looked at him.
EVELYN: "Where is it?"
DANIEL: "In the maintenance system."
EVELYN: "Can you access it?"
DANIEL: "Yes, ma'am."
KYLE: "Nobody accesses that system without my authorization."
Evelyn slowly turned toward him.
EVELYN: "You are not going to interfere with this inspection."
KYLE: "I'm responsible for the maintenance records."
EVELYN: "Then you should have nothing to fear from an accurate review."
Thomas stepped between them.
THOMAS: "Daniel, take us to the workstation."
Daniel nodded.
He began walking toward the maintenance office.
Evelyn followed.
Thomas walked beside her, while the second officer remained a few steps behind.
Kyle stood motionless for a moment.
Then he hurried after them.
KYLE: "Chairwoman, wait."
Evelyn continued walking.
KYLE: "I need to explain something."
EVELYN: "You have already had several opportunities."
KYLE: "You don't understand the pressure we've been under."
Evelyn stopped.
She turned slowly.
EVELYN: "Pressure?"
Kyle nodded quickly.
KYLE: "We've been operating with limited resources. Maintenance schedules are constantly changing. Headquarters expects us to keep aircraft available, regardless of the circumstances."
EVELYN: "And that justifies inaccurate inspection records?"
KYLE: "No, ma'am. But you have to understand the environment."
EVELYN: "I understand the environment better than you think."
KYLE: "Then you know people sometimes have to make difficult decisions."
EVELYN: "A difficult decision is not the same as a dishonest one."
Kyle lowered his eyes.
For a moment, he appeared almost apologetic.
But Evelyn had seen that expression before.
People often became cooperative when they realized their actions might have consequences.
That did not mean they had become honest.
The group entered the maintenance office.
It was a narrow room with several computer terminals, filing cabinets, and a large board displaying aircraft inspection schedules.
Daniel moved toward one of the computers.
He entered his credentials and opened the maintenance database.
Evelyn stood behind him.
THOMAS: "What are we looking for?"
EVELYN: "The original inspection entry."
Daniel navigated through several folders.
DANIEL: "Here it is."
A document appeared on the screen.
Evelyn leaned forward.
The report contained the original inspection date, the technician's name, and a description of the safety discrepancy.
A red warning had been attached to the entry.
The aircraft should not have been cleared until the problem was corrected and independently verified.
Evelyn read the report carefully.
Then she looked at the approval section.
Her expression became serious.
EVELYN: "Who authorized the final clearance?"
Daniel pointed toward the screen.
DANIEL: "Sergeant Brody."
Thomas moved closer.
THOMAS: "That's his electronic authorization."
EVELYN: "Was the replacement component installed before this approval?"
Daniel shook his head.
DANIEL: "No, ma'am."
EVELYN: "How can you confirm that?"
DANIEL: "Because I was assigned to receive it. The replacement never arrived."
Evelyn looked at the approval timestamp.
It was dated two days after the original inspection.
She compared it with another entry.
Then another.
The same pattern appeared repeatedly.
Several aircraft had been cleared within a short period despite unresolved maintenance notes.
EVELYN: "How many records show this discrepancy?"
Daniel began searching.
His fingers moved quickly across the keyboard.
DANIEL: "I need a few minutes."
EVELYN: "Take your time. Do not change anything."
THOMAS: "I'll arrange an independent copy of the records."
EVELYN: "Good. Make sure the original files remain untouched."
Kyle stood near the office entrance.
He was no longer shouting.
He watched the computer screen with an expression that was becoming difficult to read.
KYLE: "Chairwoman, these records don't show the full picture."
EVELYN: "Then what are we missing?"
KYLE: "There were verbal instructions."
EVELYN: "From whom?"
Kyle hesitated.
KYLE: "Higher command."
Thomas turned toward him.
THOMAS: "Which officer?"
KYLE: "I don't remember the exact name."
EVELYN: "You remember signing the approval, but not who instructed you to do it?"
KYLE: "It was a complicated situation."
EVELYN: "Then we will examine the communications as well."
Kyle's face tightened.
KYLE: "You can't simply access every communication in this installation."
EVELYN: "I can request the records relevant to this investigation."
KYLE: "There are procedures."
EVELYN: "And we will follow them."
The second officer returned to the doorway.
SECOND OFFICER: "Ma'am, command has acknowledged the preservation request."
EVELYN: "Good."
SECOND OFFICER: "They are asking whether you would like the installation commander to meet you."
EVELYN: "Not yet."
SECOND OFFICER: "Understood."
Evelyn looked back at the computer.
Daniel had finished searching.
His face had turned pale.
DANIEL: "Ma'am..."
EVELYN: "What did you find?"