At 10:35 a.m., Colonel Carter entered the administrative building adjoining Hangar 17.
The building housed maintenance coordination, security administration, and several offices responsible for aircraft readiness documentation.
She had requested access to the original inspection records, including electronic timestamps, authorization histories, and maintenance personnel assignments.
A civilian records administrator named Helen Morris was waiting for her.
"Colonel Carter?"
"Yes. It's me"
"I'm Helen Morris. I manage the maintenance documentation archive."
Evelyn shook her hand.
"Thank you for meeting with me."
Helen looked toward Daniel, who had accompanied the colonel.
"Sergeant Reed said you were reviewing an inspection discrepancy."
"I am."
Helen hesitated.
"Would you like me to prepare the latest report?"
"I want the original version, including every amendment."
Helen's expression changed.
"Every amendment?"
"Yes. I also want the access history showing who opened, modified, or approved the document."
Helen nodded slowly.
"Of course."
She led them into a small office and logged into the records system.
The computer displayed a series of maintenance entries.
Evelyn leaned forward.
"Let's start with aircraft 611."
Helen entered the identification number.
A report appeared.
The first section showed the initial maintenance inspection.
The second showed a replacement component request.
The third displayed the final clearance.
Evelyn studied the timestamps.
"Who entered the final clearance?"
Helen clicked the authorization history.
"Sergeant Marcus Reed's account."
"Was he authorized to enter that particular certification?"
Helen hesitated.
"He had access to the operational readiness section."
"That doesn't answer my question."
Helen looked at the screen again.
"His account should not have been used to certify the mechanical inspection itself."
Daniel exchanged a glance with Evelyn.
"Should not have been?" he repeated.
Helen lowered her voice.
"Colonel, there are separate authorization levels. Maintenance personnel certify the mechanical condition. Operational supervisors verify the readiness documentation. One person cannot simply replace the other."
Evelyn nodded.
"Was the aircraft actually inspected after the replacement component arrived?"
Helen searched the archive.
"I don't see a completed inspection entry."
"Check the original request."
Helen opened another document.
A maintenance request had been submitted at 0842.
It was marked unresolved.
Then, without a corresponding repair completion record, the aircraft had been classified as ready.
Evelyn stared at the screen.
"Print everything."
Helen hesitated.
"Colonel, there's something else."
Evelyn looked at her.
"What is it?"
Helen opened a separate folder.
"This aircraft isn't the only one."
A list appeared.
Three additional fighter aircraft had similar discrepancies.
Their inspection records contained unusually short intervals between maintenance activity and final clearance.
In two cases, the approval had been entered by Reed's account.
Daniel frowned.
"Four aircraft?"
"Possibly more," Helen answered.
Evelyn examined the dates.
The discrepancies had occurred over six weeks.
"Who supervises the maintenance documentation department?"
"Chief Warrant Officer Bennett reports through the aviation maintenance command structure."
"And who reviews his work?"
Helen pointed to another name.
"Major Thomas Whitaker."
Evelyn recognized the name from the personnel briefing she had received before arriving.
Major Whitaker had been described as an experienced logistics officer with a strong performance record.
"Has he reviewed these records?"
"His electronic signature appears on several summary reports."
Evelyn looked at the screen again.
"Then I want to speak with both Major Whitaker and Chief Bennett."
Helen nodded.
"I'll contact their offices."
"No," Evelyn replied. "Send a formal meeting request. I want their responses documented."
She collected the printed records.
As they left the office, Daniel noticed a small notification appearing on Helen's computer.
A document access alert.
Someone had just attempted to open the same aircraft inspection files.
The account belonged to Sergeant Marcus Reed.
Daniel turned toward the screen.
"Colonel?"
Evelyn stopped.
"What is it?"
"Sergeant Reed is accessing the records right now."
Evelyn looked at the notification.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she closed her folder.
"Interesting."
Daniel looked concerned.
"Ma'am, should we notify the records administrator?"
"Yes. Preserve the access history."
"Understood."
Evelyn walked toward the exit.
"Officer Brooks, someone has just learned that we are examining these reports."
Daniel nodded.
"And you think Sergeant Reed is trying to hide something?"
Evelyn looked through the glass toward the hangar.
"I think we have enough evidence to ask a more important question."
"What question, ma'am?"
"Who else knows?"