Chapter 7: The People Who Didn't## Chapter 7: The People Who Didn't Exist
“Tell me what you know about the second vehicle.””
General Callahan stood beside Madison's study window, his phone pressed Exist
“Tell me what you know about the second vehicle.””
General Callahan stood beside Madison's study window, his phone pressed tightly in his hand. Outside, the streetlights illuminated the manicured lawns tightly in his hand. Outside, the streetlights illuminated the manicured lawns and expensive cars of a neighborhood where people expected their biggest problems to involve property taxes and broken sprinklers.
Inside, nobody and expensive cars of a neighborhood where people expected their biggest problems to involve property taxes and broken sprinklers.
Inside, nobody was pretending anymore.
“I already told you what Daniel said,” I replied.
“No. You told me what he was pretending anymore.
“I already told you what Daniel said,” I replied.
“No. You told me what he said to you. I'm asking what you know.””
“I know my brother was declared dead without anyone showing me his body. I know a private contractor appears in photographs taken after his supposed death. And I know a man posing as a federal investigator threatened said to you. I'm asking what you know.””
“I know my brother was declared dead without anyone showing me his body. I know a private contractor appears in photographs taken after his supposed death. And I know a man posing as a federal investigator threatened me because I received a letter.””
I stepped closer.
“What I don't know is why you're frightened of a vehicle.””
Callahan's jaw tightened.
“Because I remember me because I received a letter.””
I stepped closer.
“What I don't know is why you're frightened of a vehicle.””
Callahan's jaw tightened.
“Because I remember the mission.””
“Then stop making me drag the truth out of you.””
Andrew stood near the door, still holding the photograph that had been left on his windshield. Madison the mission.””
“Then stop making me drag the truth out of you.””
Andrew stood near the door, still holding the photograph that had been left on his windshield. Madison sat at the desk with her hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
The general looked at all three of us.
“Five years ago, there was an operation involving the recovery of sensitive communications equipment from sat at the desk with her hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
The general looked at all three of us.
“Five years ago, there was an operation involving the recovery of sensitive communications equipment from a hostile location overseas. The official objective was to retrieve the equipment and evacuate a small number of military personnel.””
“And the unofficial objective?”” I a hostile location overseas. The official objective was to retrieve the equipment and evacuate a small number of military personnel.””
“And the unofficial objective?”” I asked.
“I don't know.””
I laughed without humor.
“You're going to have to do better than that.””
He took a slow breath.
“Meridian Systems had been contracted to maintain part of the communications infrastructure. During the operation, a transport vehicle arrived that asked.
“I don't know.””
I laughed without humor.
“You're going to have to do better than that.””
He took a slow breath.
“Meridian Systems had been contracted to maintain part of the communications infrastructure. During the operation, a transport vehicle arrived that wasn't included in the original movement plan.””
“Who authorized it?””
“I never received that information.””
“Did you see it?””
“Yes.””
My wasn't included in the original movement plan.””
“Who authorized it?””
“I never received that information.””
“Did you see it?””
“Yes.””
My pulse quickened.
“What was inside?””
“Personnel.””
“How many?””
“I couldn't tell you.””
“Were they American soldiers?””
“I couldn't verify their identities.””
I stared at him.
“You saw pulse quickened.
“What was inside?””
“Personnel.””
“How many?””
“I couldn't tell you.””
“Were they American soldiers?””
“I couldn't verify their identities.””
I stared at him.
“You saw unidentified people being transported in an unregistered vehicle during a military operation, and you didn't investigate?””
“I requested clarification.””
“And?””
“My request was denied.””
“By whom?””
He looked away unidentified people being transported in an unregistered vehicle during a military operation, and you didn't investigate?””
“I requested clarification.””
“And?””
“My request was denied.””
“By whom?””
He looked away.
“A senior official whose authority exceeded mine in that operation.””
“Name.””
“I can't give you a name without verifying the record.””
I struck the desk with my palm.
“A senior official whose authority exceeded mine in that operation.””
“Name.””
“I can't give you a name without verifying the record.””
I struck the desk with my palm.
“Then verify it!””
Madison jumped.
Andrew moved toward me, but I raised a hand to stop him.
I wasn't angry because the general lacked answers.
I was angry because every time.
“Then verify it!””
Madison jumped.
Andrew moved toward me, but I raised a hand to stop him.
I wasn't angry because the general lacked answers.
I was angry because every time he reached the edge of a truth, he retreated behind the authority of someone else.
Callahan removed his phone from his pocket.
“I'm going to make he reached the edge of a truth, he retreated behind the authority of someone else.
Callahan removed his phone from his pocket.
“I'm going to make a call.””
“To whom?””
“Someone who may be able to help us establish the chain of command.””
“Someone you trust?””
He paused.
“Someone I once trusted.””
That answer did nothing to reassure me.
He walked into the adjoining room and closed the door.
Andrew waited until the general a call.””
“To whom?””
“Someone who may be able to help us establish the chain of command.””
“Someone you trust?””
He paused.
“Someone I once trusted.””
That answer did nothing to reassure me.
He walked into the adjoining room and closed the door.
Andrew waited until the general was out of earshot before speaking.
“Olivia, there's something I haven't told you about Daniel.””
I turned toward him.
“Another secret?””
“Yes.””
At least he had the was out of earshot before speaking.
“Olivia, there's something I haven't told you about Daniel.””
I turned toward him.
“Another secret?””
“Yes.””
At least he had the decency to look ashamed.
“Three months ago, Daniel came to Charleston. He wanted to meet me privately. He told me he had located a former Meridian employee who could prove the decency to look ashamed.
“Three months ago, Daniel came to Charleston. He wanted to meet me privately. He told me he had located a former Meridian employee who could prove the company had operated an unauthorized transport program.””
“What did you do?””
“I told him to take his information to an attorney.””
“Did he?””
“He said he had tried. The attorney withdrew after company had operated an unauthorized transport program.””
“What did you do?””
“I told him to take his information to an attorney.””
“Did he?””
“He said he had tried. The attorney withdrew after receiving a phone call.””
My stomach tightened.
“Did Daniel tell you the attorney's name?””
“Evelyn Brooks. She specializes in military whistleblower receiving a phone call.””
My stomach tightened.
“Did Daniel tell you the attorney's name?””
“Evelyn Brooks. She specializes in military whistleblower cases.””
I wrote it down.
“Why didn't you tell me this earlier?””
“Because I didn't know whether Daniel was telling me the truth. He'd become secretive. He was convinced people were cases.””
I wrote it down.
“Why didn't you tell me this earlier?””
“Because I didn't know whether Daniel was telling me the truth. He'd become secretive. He was convinced people were following him.””
“And now?””
Andrew looked at the photograph.
“Now I think he was right.””
Madison stood suddenly.
“I can help.””
We both turned toward her.
She opened the metal box and removed the following him.””
“And now?””
Andrew looked at the photograph.
“Now I think he was right.””
Madison stood suddenly.
“I can help.””
We both turned toward her.
She opened the metal box and removed the confidentiality agreement.
“Thomas Reed gave me this when he paid me. I never read every page. I just signed where he pointed.””
She placed it on the desk.
I examined the confidentiality agreement.
“Thomas Reed gave me this when he paid me. I never read every page. I just signed where he pointed.””
She placed it on the desk.
I examined the document carefully. It referred to a consulting payment, a nondisclosure clause, and a provision prohibiting Madison from releasing certain materials relating to an internal corporate review.
At the bottom was a company name.
Meridian Systems.
My sister had been paid document carefully. It referred to a consulting payment, a nondisclosure clause, and a provision prohibiting Madison from releasing certain materials relating to an internal corporate review.
At the bottom was a company name.
Meridian Systems.
My sister had been paid by the company that might have concealed my brother's fate.
“How did he know to approach you?”” I asked.
Madison shook her head.
“He said by the company that might have concealed my brother's fate.
“How did he know to approach you?”” I asked.
Madison shook her head.
“He said my name appeared in a family contact file.””
“Who gave him the file?””
“I don't know.””
I studied her face.
For once, she wasn't trying to escape responsibility by changing the subject. She looked frightened, but she was answering my my name appeared in a family contact file.””
“Who gave him the file?””
“I don't know.””
I studied her face.
For once, she wasn't trying to escape responsibility by changing the subject. She looked frightened, but she was answering my questions.
It wasn't forgiveness.
It was a beginning.
The adjoining door opened.
General Callahan returned with his phone in his hand.
“I've reached someone who can access the historical operational records.””
“Who?””
“Colonel Shaw.””
I straightened questions.
It wasn't forgiveness.
It was a beginning.
The adjoining door opened.
General Callahan returned with his phone in his hand.
“I've reached someone who can access the historical operational records.””
“Who?””
“Colonel Shaw.””
I straightened.
“Peter Shaw?””
“Yes. He's retired now. He was the officer who first raised concerns about the casualty records.””
“Where is he?””
“He lives outside Columbia,.
“Peter Shaw?””
“Yes. He's retired now. He was the officer who first raised concerns about the casualty records.””
“Where is he?””
“He lives outside Columbia, South Carolina. He has agreed to meet us tomorrow morning.””
“Why not tonight?””
“Because he insists on meeting in person.””
I looked at the clock.
It was nearly ten.
Daniel had given us an address outside Savannah and told me to come alone. Now Shaw wanted South Carolina. He has agreed to meet us tomorrow morning.””
“Why not tonight?””
“Because he insists on meeting in person.””
I looked at the clock.
It was nearly ten.
Daniel had given us an address outside Savannah and told me to come alone. Now Shaw wanted a meeting, Reed was apparently connected to Meridian Systems, and my sister's wedding had become the starting point of an investigation that could rewrite five a meeting, Reed was apparently connected to Meridian Systems, and my sister's wedding had become the starting point of an investigation that could rewrite five years of my life.
I needed to make a decision.
“We go to Daniel first,” I said.
Callahan shook his head.
“Daniel explicitly told you not to involve me.””
“He told me not to tell you. I've already told you.””
“That doesn't mean we should ignore his years of my life.
I needed to make a decision.
“We go to Daniel first,” I said.
Callahan shook his head.
“Daniel explicitly told you not to involve me.””
“He told me not to tell you. I've already told you.””
“That doesn't mean we should ignore his warning.””
“Then tell me why he gave me an address if he didn't want me to come.””
“Because he may be trying to draw you into a situation you don't understand.””
“Or because he's afraid and needs warning.””
“Then tell me why he gave me an address if he didn't want me to come.””
“Because he may be trying to draw you into a situation you don't understand.””
“Or because he's afraid and needs help.””
The general fell silent.
I looked at Andrew.
“Can you contact Daniel's wife again?””
He nodded and called her. This time, she answered immediately help.””
The general fell silent.
I looked at Andrew.
“Can you contact Daniel's wife again?””
He nodded and called her. This time, she answered immediately.
“Andrew? Have you heard from him?””
“Not since the call. Is everything all right?””
“I don't know. Two men came to the house asking for him. They said they.
“Andrew? Have you heard from him?””
“Not since the call. Is everything all right?””
“I don't know. Two men came to the house asking for him. They said they were conducting a welfare check.””
My skin prickled.
“What did they look like?”” I asked.
She hesitated.
“Who is that?””
“Olivia Hayes. Please describe them.””
“One was tall, with dark hair. The other wore glasses were conducting a welfare check.””
My skin prickled.
“What did they look like?”” I asked.
She hesitated.
“Who is that?””
“Olivia Hayes. Please describe them.””
“One was tall, with dark hair. The other wore glasses. They showed identification, but I couldn't read it clearly. They asked when Daniel had left and whether he'd taken anything with him.””
“Did they enter the house?””
“No. I told them they needed a warrant or a real explanation.””
I glanced at Callahan.
“Did they leave anything?””
“Yes. A card.””
“Read the. They showed identification, but I couldn't read it clearly. They asked when Daniel had left and whether he'd taken anything with him.””
“Did they enter the house?””
“No. I told them they needed a warrant or a real explanation.””
I glanced at Callahan.
“Did they leave anything?””
“Yes. A card.””
“Read the name.””
She did.
Thomas Reed.
I closed my eyes briefly.
The man was moving faster than we were.
“Listen carefully,” I told her.
“Don't meet anyone alone. Save the card, write name.””
She did.
Thomas Reed.
I closed my eyes briefly.
The man was moving faster than we were.
“Listen carefully,” I told her.
“Don't meet anyone alone. Save the card, write down everything you remember, and contact local law enforcement if those men return.””
“Is Daniel in danger?””
I couldn't lie to her.
“I believe someone is down everything you remember, and contact local law enforcement if those men return.””
“Is Daniel in danger?””
I couldn't lie to her.
“I believe someone is trying to find him. I don't know why yet.””
When the call ended, Andrew looked ready to leave immediately.
“I'm going to Savannah.””
“So am I,” I said.
Callahan stepped between us.
“No. You will not travel there tonight without an agreed safety plan.””
I stared at him.
“You trying to find him. I don't know why yet.””
When the call ended, Andrew looked ready to leave immediately.
“I'm going to Savannah.””
“So am I,” I said.
Callahan stepped between us.
“No. You will not travel there tonight without an agreed safety plan.””
I stared at him.
“You're not my commanding officer in this investigation.””
“No,” he replied.
“I'm the man who made a mistake by assuming the official record was correct. I won't make another mistake by allowing you to walk into an unknown situation without support.””
His words stopped me.
Not're not my commanding officer in this investigation.””
“No,” he replied.
“I'm the man who made a mistake by assuming the official record was correct. I won't make another mistake by allowing you to walk into an unknown situation without support.””
His words stopped me.
Not because he had authority over me.
Because, for the first time, he had acknowledged his own failure without hiding behind a title.
I took out my phone and contacted my legal adviser. We arranged for because he had authority over me.
Because, for the first time, he had acknowledged his own failure without hiding behind a title.
I took out my phone and contacted my legal adviser. We arranged for Daniel's wife to report the suspicious visit, and I provided the information necessary for an appropriate official inquiry. We also agreed to meet Colonel Shaw the next morning before deciding how to approach Daniel.
It wasn't the Daniel's wife to report the suspicious visit, and I provided the information necessary for an appropriate official inquiry. We also agreed to meet Colonel Shaw the next morning before deciding how to approach Daniel.
It wasn't the answer I wanted.
But it was the answer that gave us the best chance of finding him alive.
At 11:26 p.m., Madison offered me her guest room.
I almost refused.
Then I remembered that I'd been awake since before dawn and answer I wanted.
But it was the answer that gave us the best chance of finding him alive.
At 11:26 p.m., Madison offered me her guest room.
I almost refused.
Then I remembered that I'd been awake since before dawn and that exhaustion was a dangerous companion when making decisions.
I accepted.
Before I went upstairs, Madison caught my hand.
“Olivia?””
I stopped.
She looked smaller without the bridal veil and that exhaustion was a dangerous companion when making decisions.
I accepted.
Before I went upstairs, Madison caught my hand.
“Olivia?””
I stopped.
She looked smaller without the bridal veil and the carefully arranged smile.
“Do you think Michael hated me?””
The question surprised me.
“Why would you ask that?””
“Because I wasn't there when he died. I didn't visit him enough before the Army sent him overseas. I ignored his the carefully arranged smile.
“Do you think Michael hated me?””
The question surprised me.
“Why would you ask that?””
“Because I wasn't there when he died. I didn't visit him enough before the Army sent him overseas. I ignored his calls sometimes because I was busy. And when he was gone, I told myself we hadn't been close enough for me to grieve properly.””
Her eyes filled.
“Then I told you that you were making everything about yourself whenever you tried to talk about him.””
I remembered calls sometimes because I was busy. And when he was gone, I told myself we hadn't been close enough for me to grieve properly.””
Her eyes filled.
“Then I told you that you were making everything about yourself whenever you tried to talk about him.””
I remembered those conversations.
I remembered Madison telling me to stop bringing up the past because it made family gatherings uncomfortable.
I remembered swallowing my grief so she wouldn't have to see it.
“I don't know what Michael would say,” I replied.
“But I know he loved you.””
She lowered those conversations.
I remembered Madison telling me to stop bringing up the past because it made family gatherings uncomfortable.
I remembered swallowing my grief so she wouldn't have to see it.
“I don't know what Michael would say,” I replied.
“But I know he loved you.””
She lowered her head.
“I'm sorry.””
“I believe you.””
Her eyes lifted hopefully.
“But that doesn't mean everything is fixed.””
She nodded.
“I understand.””
I went upstairs and locked the guest-room door.
At her head.
“I'm sorry.””
“I believe you.””
Her eyes lifted hopefully.
“But that doesn't mean everything is fixed.””
She nodded.
“I understand.””
I went upstairs and locked the guest-room door.
At 12:14 a.m., my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
One message.
*Colonel Shaw is not the man you think he is.*
I stared at the screen.
A 12:14 a.m., my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
One message.
*Colonel Shaw is not the man you think he is.*
I stared at the screen.
A second message arrived.
*Ask him what happened to the driver of the second vehicle.*
Then a third.
**And ask him why Michael was the only person who tried to bring second message arrived.
*Ask him what happened to the driver of the second vehicle.*
Then a third.
*And ask him why Michael was the only person who tried to bring that driver home.*
I sat on the edge of the bed, reading the words until the screen dimmed.
Outside, a car passed slowly along the street.
Its that driver home.**
I sat on the edge of the bed, reading the words until the screen dimmed.
Outside, a car passed slowly along the street.
Its headlights swept across the curtains and disappeared.
I had thought finding the truth about Michael would mean discovering where he had gone.
Now headlights swept across the curtains and disappeared.
I had thought finding the truth about Michael would mean discovering where he had gone.
May you like
Now I was beginning to understand that I might also have to discover what he had done—and why so many powerful people wanted the answer buried.
I was beginning to understand that I might also have to discover what he had done—and why so many powerful people wanted the answer buried.
