Evelyn returned to her seat.
She needed to think.
The name Marcus Bennett echoed through her mind.
She remembered the first time they had met.
It had been twenty years earlier, during a military intelligence training exercise in Virginia. Bennett had been a senior officer, while Evelyn was a young analyst trying to prove that she belonged in a field dominated by people who underestimated her.
He had challenged her constantly.
He had pushed her harder than anyone else.
But he had also defended her when senior officers questioned her abilities.
Over the years, their professional relationship had developed into something resembling family.
He had attended the memorial service for the two colleagues she lost during Silent Harbor.
He had promised that the truth would eventually come out.
And he had personally recommended her for the Northstar investigation.
Could he really have betrayed her?
Daniel approached quietly.
"Colonel, are you all right?"
Evelyn looked up.
"Yes."
He hesitated.
"That man mentioned General Bennett."
"I heard him."
"Do you believe him?"
Evelyn looked toward the window.
"I don't know."
Daniel nodded.
"I'll inform the captain that the situation has changed."
"Thank you."
A few minutes later, Evelyn's phone vibrated.
An incoming call appeared.
GENERAL MARCUS BENNETT.
She stared at the screen.
For several seconds, she considered ignoring it.
Then she answered.
"General."
"Carter. I've been trying to reach you."
His voice sounded familiar.
Calm.
Authoritative.
Almost reassuring.
"What's happening aboard that aircraft?"
"Victor Hayes is here."
There was a pause.
Then Bennett spoke.
"Is he carrying the Northstar device?"
Evelyn looked toward Victor.
"Yes."
"Listen carefully. You need to secure that device immediately."
"Why?"
"Because it contains information that could compromise national security."
"Or expose the people responsible for Silent Harbor."
Another pause.
"Carter, this isn't the time for emotional decisions."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
"I'm not making emotional decisions."
"Then do exactly what I tell you."
She remained silent.
Bennett continued.
"Give the device to the appropriate security personnel when you land. Do not examine the contents yourself."
"Who are the appropriate personnel?"
"I'll arrange a team."
"Under whose authority?"
"My authority."
Evelyn slowly stood.
"General, I need to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Did you authorize the operation at Facility 0417?"
The silence on the other end lasted several seconds.
Then Bennett sighed.
"I was involved in the operation."
"That's not what I asked."
"Carter, there are things you don't understand."
"Then explain them."
"We were protecting a much larger intelligence operation."
Evelyn tightened her grip on the phone.
"Two people died."
"I know."
"You knew our transport route."
"I had access to the operational plan."
"You knew the vehicle was going to be attacked?"
Bennett's voice became colder.
"Stop."
Evelyn closed her eyes briefly.
She remembered hearing that word from him during training exercises.
It had always meant that she was about to cross a boundary.
Now it sounded like a threat.
"General, did you give our location to the people waiting at the facility?"
He did not answer.
Then he said:
"Do not make this more difficult than it needs to be."
Evelyn felt something inside her break.
"That's not an answer."
Bennett lowered his voice.
"You have no idea what you're interfering with. There are people above me who have spent decades protecting this country. They make decisions that ordinary people cannot understand."
"And the people who died?"
"They were casualties of an operation."
Evelyn's eyes became cold.
"They were my team."
"They understood the risks."
"No. They trusted us."
Bennett exhaled.
"Give me the device, Evelyn."
She froze.
He had never called her by her first name during an official operation.
It was deliberate.
A reminder of their personal history.
A reminder that he believed he still had influence over her.
But this time, it had the opposite effect.
"No."
The line went silent.
Then Bennett spoke.
"You are making a very serious mistake."
Evelyn looked across the cabin at Richard and Victor.
For the second time that evening, she recognized the same pattern.
Powerful people believed they could intimidate others into silence.
They believed authority was something that belonged to them permanently.
She answered quietly.
"Perhaps. But at least this time, I'll know whose orders I'm refusing."
She ended the call.
Daniel approached.
"Colonel?"
Evelyn looked at him.
"I need the captain to know that the diversion request may have originated from someone involved in the investigation."
Daniel nodded.
"Understood."
She looked down at her phone.
A new message appeared.
It was from an unknown number.
YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED DEAD, CARTER.
Evelyn read it once.
Then she put the phone away.
She had finally found the person who betrayed her.
But the revelation raised a much more frightening question.
If General Bennett had ordered Silent Harbor, how many other people inside the government had helped him?
And how many of them were waiting for Flight 708 to land?