Chapter 4 - Harris’s Signature Was Forged
Harris asked for counsel before making a formal statement.
Captain Ellis respected that immediately.
Claire appreciated it.
Suspicion had nearly become certainty too quickly.
The maintenance authorization was examined.
The signature looked convincing.
But the digital submission originated from Reed’s workstation.
Harris’s credentials had been used.
He admitted Reed knew his access code years earlier.
That was another procedural failure.
Not proof Harris participated.
The wrong release pin had been installed eleven days earlier.
A civilian maintenance technician signed the physical work order.
His name was Lucas Vance.
Agent Brooks checked the contractor database.
No Lucas Vance had been assigned to the ship.
The employee number belonged to a technician named Samuel Ortiz.
Ortiz was on medical leave in California.
Someone had used his credentials.
Claire looked at the captain.
“How many fake identities are we dealing with?”
Brooks answered:
“At least one.”
Then ship security found Blake’s personal flotation vest in an equipment
locker near the aft service corridor.
His phone was inside.
No Blake.
The phone contained an unsent message to his sister:
I FOUND OUT WHO VANCE IS. IF I’M RIGHT, REED ISN’T THE ONE RUNNING THIS.
Claire read the line twice.
Reed had endangered sailors.
Removed safety tags.
Falsified drill schedules.
But Blake believed someone above or behind him was directing the
operation.
The captain ordered Reed confined to quarters under guard pending
investigation.
Reed finally spoke.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Captain Ellis stared at him.
“Then help us correct it.”
Reed’s mouth tightened.
“I want counsel.”
“Granted.”
No forced confession.
No theatrical threat.
Just procedure.
Then a search team reported something.
A security camera near the aft service corridor showed Blake at 1004.
He was walking beside a man wearing civilian maintenance coveralls.
The man’s face was partially visible.
Agent Brooks froze the image.
Claire recognized him.
Not personally.
From a framed photograph in Captain Ellis’s office.
She turned.
“Sir…”
Ellis stared at the screen.
May you like
The man beside Blake was his executive officer.
Commander Nathan Cole.
