PART 4
The investigation expanded before lunchtime.
Every electronic record connected to the missing equipment was secured.
Every access credential was suspended.
And Brandon was removed from operational duties pending review.
He sat alone in a conference room while investigators questioned him.
I wasn't part of his interview.
I insisted on it.
Whatever our history, I would not allow anyone to accuse me of manipulating an investigation involving my brother.
But while investigators worked, I began reconstructing the timeline.
The first discrepancy had appeared six months earlier.
The second, four months later.
The third, three weeks after that.
Then the fourth.
The pattern wasn't random.
Someone had been testing the system.
Learning how long it took for discrepancies to be noticed.
Learning which officers checked records.
Learning which credentials could move through the network without triggering immediate alarms.
And someone had been using Brandon's identity.
But why?
Then I found the connection.
Every questionable transaction had been approved by the same administrative office.
A civilian contractor's office located off-base.
The contractor had access to maintenance databases.
But there was another name attached to the authorization chain.
My father's.
I stared at the document.
Retired Sergeant Major Owens.
My father.
For several seconds, I couldn't breathe.
I called him.
He answered on the third ring.
“Sandra?”
“Dad.”
A pause.
“What's wrong?”
“Why is your name attached to a military contractor connected to my brother's ship?”
Silence.
Then Dad sighed.
“I was afraid you'd eventually find out.”
My hands tightened around the phone.
“Find out what?”
Another pause.
“Brandon didn't create those records.”
I closed my eyes.
“I know.”
“He was helping someone.”
“Who?”
Dad's voice became barely audible.
“Me.”
