Chapter 8: Colonel Shaw's Last Confession
At## Chapter 8: Colonel Shaw's Last Confession
At 6:30 the next morning, I was already dressed and sitting at Madison's kitchen table, studying 6:30 the next morning, I was already dressed and sitting at Madison's kitchen table, studying the anonymous messages on my phone.
I hadn't slept more than an hour.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Michael standing beside General Callahan in that photograph. Then I heard Daniel's voice telling me that people who officially didn't exist had the anonymous messages on my phone.
I hadn't slept more than an hour.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Michael standing beside General Callahan in that photograph. Then I heard Daniel's voice telling me that people who officially didn't exist had been transported in the second vehicle.
And finally, I heard the last message.
Ask him why Michael was the only person who tried to bring that driver home.
The driver.
Not a passenger been transported in the second vehicle.
And finally, I heard the last message.
Ask him why Michael was the only person who tried to bring that driver home.
The driver.
Not a passenger. Not a soldier.
A driver.
I wrote the word in my notebook and underlined it twice.
Madison entered the kitchen wearing jeans and a plain white shirt. Without the makeup, designer dress, and carefully arranged hair, she looked like the sixteen-year-old girl who. Not a soldier.
A driver.
I wrote the word in my notebook and underlined it twice.
Madison entered the kitchen wearing jeans and a plain white shirt. Without the makeup, designer dress, and carefully arranged hair, she looked like the sixteen-year-old girl who used to wait for me after school.
She placed a cup of coffee beside me.
“You haven't slept.””
“Neither have you.””
“I kept thinking about Michael.””
I wrapped both hands around the cup used to wait for me after school.
She placed a cup of coffee beside me.
“You haven't slept.””
“Neither have you.””
“I kept thinking about Michael.””
I wrapped both hands around the cup.
“So have I.””
She sat opposite me.
“Do you remember when he taught us to drive?””
A faint smile touched my face.
“He let.
“So have I.””
She sat opposite me.
“Do you remember when he taught us to drive?””
A faint smile touched my face.
“He let you take the truck around the field behind Dad's house.””
“And I drove straight into the fence.””
“You cried for forty minutes.””
“He told me the fence had been poorly constructed you take the truck around the field behind Dad's house.””
“And I drove straight into the fence.””
“You cried for forty minutes.””
“He told me the fence had been poorly constructed.””
I almost laughed.
Michael had always been like that. He could turn a disaster into a story that made you feel safe enough to try again.
Madison.””
I almost laughed.
Michael had always been like that. He could turn a disaster into a story that made you feel safe enough to try again.
Madison stared into her coffee.
“I wish I could talk to him.””
“So do I.””
She reached across the table, but stopped before touching my hand.
“I know you don't trust me anymore.””
“Trust isn't something I can switch back on because you apologized.””
“I know.””
“If we're going to find him, stared into her coffee.
“I wish I could talk to him.””
“So do I.””
She reached across the table, but stopped before touching my hand.
“I know you don't trust me anymore.””
“Trust isn't something I can switch back on because you apologized.””
“I know.””
“If we're going to find him, I need you to tell me everything. Even the things that make you look bad.””
She nodded.
“I will.””
At seven, General Callahan arrived with a vehicle and a second phone. He had arranged the meeting with Colonel Peter Shaw for 9:00 a.m I need you to tell me everything. Even the things that make you look bad.””
She nodded.
“I will.””
At seven, General Callahan arrived with a vehicle and a second phone. He had arranged the meeting with Colonel Peter Shaw for 9:00 a.m. at a law office outside Columbia.
He had also arranged for our evidence to remain secured while the appropriate authorities were contacted.
“We'll go directly to the meeting,” he said.
“No detours. No unscheduled stops.””
I picked up my bag.
“And if Shaw refuses. at a law office outside Columbia.
He had also arranged for our evidence to remain secured while the appropriate authorities were contacted.
“We'll go directly to the meeting,” he said.
“No detours. No unscheduled stops.””
I picked up my bag.
“And if Shaw refuses to answer our questions?””
“Then we leave.””
I looked at him.
“No. Then we determine what can be verified independently.””
He held my gaze for a moment.
“Fair enough.””
The drive took nearly two hours.
The South Carolina to answer our questions?””
“Then we leave.””
I looked at him.
“No. Then we determine what can be verified independently.””
He held my gaze for a moment.
“Fair enough.””
The drive took nearly two hours.
The South Carolina landscape passed in long stretches of pine forest, gas stations, and quiet towns. Madison remained silent in the back seat. Andrew had stayed in Charleston to speak with his sister landscape passed in long stretches of pine forest, gas stations, and quiet towns.
Madison remained silent in the back seat. Andrew had stayed in Charleston to speak with his sister-in-law and help document Daniel's disappearance.
At 8:53, we arrived at the law office.
Colonel Shaw was already-in-law and help document Daniel's disappearance.
At 8:53, we arrived at the law office.
Colonel Shaw was already waiting.
He was in his late sixties, with thinning white hair and a deeply lined face. He wore a plain brown jacket and held a walking cane in one hand. When he saw General Callahan, he didn't offer a greeting.
“You shouldn't have brought her here,” he said.
I stepped forward.
waiting.
He was in his late sixties, with thinning white hair and a deeply lined face. He wore a plain brown jacket and held a walking cane in one hand. When he saw General Callahan, he didn't offer a greeting.
“You shouldn't have brought her here,” he said.
I stepped forward.
“Captain Olivia Hayes. You asked to meet.””
“I know who you are.””
“Then you know why I'm here.””
His gaze moved to the silver star on my uniform.
For a moment, his expression softened.
Then the softness disappeared.
“Come“Captain Olivia Hayes. You asked to meet.””
“I know who you are.””
“Then you know why I'm here.””
His gaze moved to the silver star on my uniform.
For a moment, his expression softened.
Then the softness disappeared.
“Come inside.””
The office was small, with two rooms, a desk, and a window overlooking a parking lot. Shaw locked the door behind us.
He remained standing.
inside.””
The office was small, with two rooms, a desk, and a window overlooking a parking lot. Shaw locked the door behind us.
He remained standing.
“Before we begin, I need to know whether you brought the original documents.””
“No,” I said.
“They're preserved separately. We have copies of the relevant material.””
“Good.””
“Before we begin, I need to know whether you brought the original documents.””
“No,” I said.
“They're preserved separately. We have copies of the relevant material.””
“Good.””
He looked at General Callahan.
“Did you tell her everything?””
“No,” I replied before the general could answer.
“He told me what he remembered. I'm here to hear what you know.””
Shaw nodded slowly.
“Your brother was not supposed to beHe looked at General Callahan.
“Did you tell her everything?””
“No,” I replied before the general could answer.
“He told me what he remembered. I'm here to hear what you know.””
Shaw nodded slowly.
“Your brother was not supposed to be on that mission.””
My heart began to pound.
“Why was he there?””
“He was assigned to a communications support unit. His role was to verify the integrity of a field network being used during a joint on that mission.””
My heart began to pound.
“Why was he there?””
“He was assigned to a communications support unit. His role was to verify the integrity of a field network being used during a joint operation. He discovered that certain transmissions were being routed through an unauthorized system.””
“Meridian Systems?””
“Yes.””
I took out my notebook.
“What did the system do?””
Shaw glanced at the general.
“Richard, if you intend to remain here, you should understand that this conversation could end operation. He discovered that certain transmissions were being routed through an unauthorized system.””
“Meridian Systems?””
“Yes.””
I took out my notebook.
“What did the system do?””
Shaw glanced at the general.
“Richard, if you intend to remain here, you should understand that this conversation could end your career.””
Callahan didn't move.
“My career is no longer the concern.””
Shaw looked at me again.
“The system allowed certain transport movements to be recorded differently in separate your career.””
Callahan didn't move.
“My career is no longer the concern.””
Shaw looked at me again.
“The system allowed certain transport movements to be recorded differently in separate databases. A vehicle could appear in one system as carrying equipment and in another as carrying personnel. The records didn't always match.””
“Why?””
“I don't know the full purpose. But Michael believed the discrepancies were deliberate.””
I databases. A vehicle could appear in one system as carrying equipment and in another as carrying personnel. The records didn't always match.””
“Why?””
“I don't know the full purpose. But Michael believed the discrepancies were deliberate.””
I remembered the anonymous message.
“What about the second vehicle?””
Shaw's hand tightened around his cane.
“It was part of an unofficial transport arrangement. It wasn't on the main operational manifest.””
“Who was driving it?””
He looked at me.
“A remembered the anonymous message.
“What about the second vehicle?””
Shaw's hand tightened around his cane.
“It was part of an unofficial transport arrangement. It wasn't on the main operational manifest.””
“Who was driving it?””
He looked at me.
“A civilian contractor named Samuel Price.””
The name meant nothing to me.
“What happened to him?””
Shaw hesitated.
“According to the official report, he died during the operation.””
“Was his body recovered?””
“No.””
The room seemed to grow colder civilian contractor named Samuel Price.””
The name meant nothing to me.
“What happened to him?””
Shaw hesitated.
“According to the official report, he died during the operation.””
“Was his body recovered?””
“No.””
The room seemed to grow colder.
I looked at General Callahan.
He stared at the floor.
“Then why was he declared dead?””
“Because someone authorized the change in his status.””
“Who?””
Shaw sat down heavily.
“That's.
I looked at General Callahan.
He stared at the floor.
“Then why was he declared dead?””
“Because someone authorized the change in his status.””
“Who?””
Shaw sat down heavily.
“That's what Michael wanted to find out.””
He opened a drawer and removed a thin file.
Inside were several photocopied documents, a map, and a page covered in handwritten notes.
He placed them on the desk.
“I kept these because I suspected the inquiry would be closed before anyone examined the underlying evidence what Michael wanted to find out.””
He opened a drawer and removed a thin file.
Inside were several photocopied documents, a map, and a page covered in handwritten notes.
He placed them on the desk.
“I kept these because I suspected the inquiry would be closed before anyone examined the underlying evidence.””
I leaned forward.
One document contained a list of names associated with the operation. Several entries had been crossed out. Others had been replaced with identification numbers.
At the bottom was a notation:
**SECONDARY TRAN.””
I leaned forward.
One document contained a list of names associated with the operation. Several entries had been crossed out. Others had been replaced with identification numbers.
At the bottom was a notation:
*SECONDARY TRANSPORT — DRIVER STATUS: DECEASED.*
Beside it was a date.
The date was three days after Michael's reported death.
I stared at the paper.
“Who signed this?””
ShSPORT — DRIVER STATUS: DECEASED.**
Beside it was a date.
The date was three days after Michael's reported death.
I stared at the paper.
“Who signed this?””
Shaw pointed to a line near the bottom.
“An authorized operations officer. The signature was later removed from the accessible record.””
“Can you identify it?””
“I have a copy of the original page.””
He turned to another sheet.
The signature was partly obscured by a black mark, but enoughaw pointed to a line near the bottom.
“An authorized operations officer. The signature was later removed from the accessible record.””
“Can you identify it?””
“I have a copy of the original page.””
He turned to another sheet.
The signature was partly obscured by a black mark, but enough remained to make out the initials.
R.C.
I looked up.
General Callahan's face had gone gray.
“Richard?”” I asked.
He shook his head.
“My remained to make out the initials.
R.C.
I looked up.
General Callahan's face had gone gray.
“Richard?”” I asked.
He shook his head.
“My initials are R.A.C. That signature doesn't match mine.””
Shaw leaned closer.
“It may not be your signature. But your office received the report.””
The general said nothing.
I initials are R.A.C. That signature doesn't match mine.””
Shaw leaned closer.
“It may not be your signature. But your office received the report.””
The general said nothing.
I returned to the file.
There was a photograph clipped to the final page. It showed a young man sitting behind the wheel of a transport vehicle. His face was visible through the windshield.
I read the name printed beneath it.
Samuel Price.
He looked to be in his early thirties returned to the file.
There was a photograph clipped to the final page. It showed a young man sitting behind the wheel of a transport vehicle. His face was visible through the windshield.
I read the name printed beneath it.
Samuel Price.
He looked to be in his early thirties, with dark hair, a narrow jaw, and a small scar near his left ear.
My breath caught.
The scar.
The anonymous messages hadn't mentioned it, but the detail felt familiar.
I looked at Shaw.
“Was Price ever found, with dark hair, a narrow jaw, and a small scar near his left ear.
My breath caught.
The scar.
The anonymous messages hadn't mentioned it, but the detail felt familiar.
I looked at Shaw.
“Was Price ever found?””
“No.””
“Did Michael search for him?””
“Yes. He believed Price had been forced to participate in the transport arrangement. He thought the driver might have known where the passengers were being taken.””
“Did Michael find him?””
Shaw closed the file.
“That's where the?””
“No.””
“Did Michael search for him?””
“Yes. He believed Price had been forced to participate in the transport arrangement. He thought the driver might have known where the passengers were being taken.””
“Did Michael find him?””
Shaw closed the file.
“That's where the record becomes difficult.””
I stepped closer.
“Why?””
“Because three days after Michael reported the discrepancy, he was removed from his assignment. His personnel file was sealed. The unit was told he had been transferred.””
“Transferred where?””
“I was never given a destination record becomes difficult.””
I stepped closer.
“Why?””
“Because three days after Michael reported the discrepancy, he was removed from his assignment. His personnel file was sealed. The unit was told he had been transferred.””
“Transferred where?””
“I was never given a destination.””
“And the death report?””
“Arrived several weeks later.””
I looked at the general.
“Did you know about the transfer?””
Callahan's face was drawn.
“I received a notice that Michael had been reassigned to a restricted unit. I assumed the subsequent death report came through.””
“And the death report?””
“Arrived several weeks later.””
I looked at the general.
“Did you know about the transfer?””
Callahan's face was drawn.
“I received a notice that Michael had been reassigned to a restricted unit. I assumed the subsequent death report came through that unit.””
“You assumed.””
“Yes.””
Shaw leaned back.
“Michael wasn't the only person removed from the records. Samuel Price's identity was also flagged for that unit.””
“You assumed.””
“Yes.””
Shaw leaned back.
“Michael wasn't the only person removed from the records. Samuel Price's identity was also flagged for deletion from the operational database.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why would a civilian driver's identity need to be deleted?””
“Because someone wanted the transport itself to disappear.””
I stared at the photograph of Price.
A man who had been officially declared dead without a recovered body. deletion from the operational database.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why would a civilian driver's identity need to be deleted?””
“Because someone wanted the transport itself to disappear.””
I stared at the photograph of Price.
A man who had been officially declared dead without a recovered body. A driver whose records had been altered. A communications specialist who had disappeared after asking questions.
And my brother, who had apparently tried to bring him home.
“Colonel,” I said A driver whose records had been altered. A communications specialist who had disappeared after asking questions.
And my brother, who had apparently tried to bring him home.
“Colonel,” I said, “do you have any proof that Michael survived?””
Shaw looked at me for a long moment.
Then he opened the file again.
“There was a message recorded six months after his reported death. It came through a restricted communications channel and contained a phrase that only Michael used in his field reports.””
He removed a printed transcript, “do you have any proof that Michael survived?””
Shaw looked at me for a long moment.
Then he opened the file again.
“There was a message recorded six months after his reported death. It came through a restricted communications channel and contained a phrase that only Michael used in his field reports.””
He removed a printed transcript.
The message was short.
The driver is alive. The route is compromised. Do not use the official recovery channel.
I read it three times.
“Where did this come from?””
“An internal monitoring system. The original recording disappeared, but.
The message was short.
The driver is alive. The route is compromised. Do not use the official recovery channel.
I read it three times.
“Where did this come from?””
“An internal monitoring system. The original recording disappeared, but the transcript remained in a backup file.””
“Who received it?””
Shaw pointed to the distribution list.
One name had been highlighted.
*THOMAS REED.*
I felt sick.
“Reed was involved six months after Michael was declared dead.””
“Yes.””
the transcript remained in a backup file.””
“Who received it?””
Shaw pointed to the distribution list.
One name had been highlighted.
*THOMAS REED.*
I felt sick.
“Reed was involved six months after Michael was declared dead.””
“Yes.””
“And he knew Price was alive.””
“He knew someone had reported it.””
“Did he investigate?””
Shaw gave a humorless laugh.
“According to the record, he closed the inquiry.””
I looked at General Callahan.
“Now do you understand why I won't stop“And he knew Price was alive.””
“He knew someone had reported it.””
“Did he investigate?””
Shaw gave a humorless laugh.
“According to the record, he closed the inquiry.””
I looked at General Callahan.
“Now do you understand why I won't stop?””
He nodded slowly.
“I understand.””
For the first time, his agreement didn't sound like a warning.
It sounded like shame.
Shaw gathered the documents into a neat stack.
“There?””
He nodded slowly.
“I understand.””
For the first time, his agreement didn't sound like a warning.
It sounded like shame.
Shaw gathered the documents into a neat stack.
“There is one more thing you need to know.””
I waited.
“Samuel Price had a daughter. Her name is Rachel. She was eleven when her father disappeared.””
My chest tightened.
“Where is she now?””
“She's an is one more thing you need to know.””
I waited.
“Samuel Price had a daughter. Her name is Rachel. She was eleven when her father disappeared.””
My chest tightened.
“Where is she now?””
“She's an adult. She changed her surname after her father's case was closed. I believe she lives in Georgia.””
“Can you contact her?””
“I have an old address.””
“Then we'll verify it.””
Shaw shook his head.
“You don't understand. If Rachel is the person I adult. She changed her surname after her father's case was closed. I believe she lives in Georgia.””
“Can you contact her?””
“I have an old address.””
“Then we'll verify it.””
Shaw shook his head.
“You don't understand. If Rachel is the person I think she is, she may be the only living witness who can explain what happened to your brother.””
“Who is she?””
Before he could answer, his office phone rang.
He stared at the screen.
Then his expression changed.
“That's impossible.””
He answered.
“Shaw.””
A think she is, she may be the only living witness who can explain what happened to your brother.””
“Who is she?””
Before he could answer, his office phone rang.
He stared at the screen.
Then his expression changed.
“That's impossible.””
He answered.
“Shaw.””
A man's voice spoke from the other end, too faint for me to understand.
Shaw's hand began to tremble.
“No,” he said.
“I haven't given her anything.””
man's voice spoke from the other end, too faint for me to understand.
Shaw's hand began to tremble.
“No,” he said.
“I haven't given her anything.””
He listened again.
Then he slowly looked at me.
“She's sitting right here.””
The caller spoke for several more seconds.
Shaw went pale.
When he finally ended the call, heHe listened again.
Then he slowly looked at me.
“She's sitting right here.””
The caller spoke for several more seconds.
Shaw went pale.
When he finally ended the call, he locked the phone inside his desk drawer.
“What was that?”” I asked.
May you like
He looked toward the window.
“Someone just told me that Rachel Price was found dead this morning.””
