Chapter 18 - What Daniel Did
The hangar fell silent. Mara could hear the high thin whine of the aircraft's auxiliary power unit outside.
Daniel continued, “I signed the emergency manifest. I believed Sloane when he said the shipment was for a partner security force. Then I found serial numbers removed, destinations changed, and money moving through companies that weren't on the contract.”
“Why didn't you tell me?” Mara whispered.
“I tried to fix it before it reached you. I thought I could save the people I'd put at risk.”
Sloane gave a short laugh. “You hear that? Your hero broke the rules too.”
Daniel looked at him. “Yes. And I'm ready to answer for it. Are you?”
Reed stepped forward. “Colonel Sloane, you're being detained pending investigation. Captain Rourke, put your hands where I can see them.”
Rourke obeyed halfway, then tried to bolt between two cargo stacks. Liang intercepted his path without striking him. Rourke threw a wild punch; Liang stepped aside, caught his momentum, and guided him to the floor. It was almost identical to Mara's winning move in the training hall.
“Stay down,” Liang said quietly.
Rourke did.
Shaw turned to run through the equipment corridor. Naomi blocked the doorway, phone recording. “Inspector,” she said, “you can speak to the investigators.”
Federal agents took Shaw into custody without a fight. The loading crew identified sealed crates whose serial numbers matched the stolen shipment invoices. More important, the aircraft's flight plan showed an unauthorized destination outside the country.
Mara crossed the hangar to Daniel. She wanted to slap him for hiding, hug him for breathing, and shake him for believing he had to carry the disaster alone. Instead she untied the last loose knot at his wrist.
“Mom's alive,” she said.
He closed his eyes. “I didn't know.”
“She never took down your pictures.”
May you like
His mouth trembled. Then Reed asked him to come for a medical check and formal interview. Daniel nodded, resigned.
Before leaving, he grasped Mara's arm. “There is one more file,” he said. “The names of the civilians who were hurt by the equipment sales. If they bury that, none of this matters.”
