Chapter 9 - The Case from the Fire
June met Marcus and Ortiz in a hallway behind Hangar Four. She carried a shipping manifest stolen from the printer where she worked as a civilian range technician.
"Archive B-17," she said. "Recovered after Black Ridge. The box contains the route recorder and at least one body-camera feed."
Ortiz studied the manifest. "The transfer is signed by someone named Vance."
Marcus barely glanced at it. "Of course it is."
They reached the hangar window. Inside, Northgate technicians arranged consoles around a demo vehicle. The black case sat on a rolling cart beside Henry Vale, the company's polished executive director. Rusk stood at his shoulder.
"They'll copy the parts that make Lantern look good," June said. "Then the archive disappears."
Ortiz pulled out her phone and photographed the case through the glass. "I can preserve the chain of custody if base command issues a hold. I can't break into a contractor's equipment without authorization."
"I can," Marcus said.
"And then Rusk calls you an unstable veteran again. We do this clean."
Marcus hated that she was right. Four years ago he'd punched a hospital wall after learning Danny was dead. The board used a photograph of his bloody knuckles as evidence he was violent. He wasn't giving Rusk another picture.
Vale spotted them at the window. He walked outside carrying a smile too smooth to trust.
"Mr. Vance. Northgate still appreciates your service."
"Then explain why my signature keeps appearing on papers I've never seen."
Vale's smile faded. "I'd be very careful about accusing people."
"I'd be very careful about using my name."
Vale leaned closer. "You have a pension. Medical care. A quiet life. Don't trade all of that for a dead man's reputation."
May you like
Marcus felt Viper press against his leg. The dog didn't growl. He simply stood there, solid and unmovable.
Then June's phone buzzed: the test had been moved up to that evening. There were fewer than three hours left.
