Chapter 5 - Captain Ellis Removes His Own XO
Captain Ellis did not defend Commander Cole.
He did not call him privately.
He notified investigators and removed himself from decisions where his
professional relationship with Cole could create a conflict.
That choice changed Claire’s opinion of him.
Cole was located in the engineering administration compartment.
He appeared surprised when security arrived.
Then he saw Agent Brooks.
His expression changed.
Blake was not with him.
Cole admitted speaking with Blake.
He claimed Blake asked questions about maintenance contracts.
“Where did he go afterward?”
“I don’t know.”
Security footage showed them entering a blind section of the corridor.
Only Cole emerged from the other side.
Twenty-three minutes later.
Cole said Blake turned into a ladderwell not covered by cameras.
Possible.
Unverified.
Then investigators searched Cole’s office.
They found no evidence of violence.
They did find contract evaluation documents for the emergency escape
system replacement.
Cole sat on the review committee.
So did Commander Reed.
The leading bidder was Pelican Defense Systems.
Agent Brooks knew the company.
Reed had worked for Pelican as a consultant before returning to
active-duty training administration.
That relationship had been disclosed.
Cole’s had not.
Financial records later showed Cole’s brother owned a subcontracting
company positioned to receive work if Pelican won.
Now motive existed.
Still no missing sailor.
Claire returned to the tank deck.
She needed to understand Blake’s last movements.
Torres joined her.
“Lieutenant?”
“What?”
“I remembered something.”
After Blake argued with Reed, he had asked Torres where the old
decompression chamber was located.
“Why?”
“He said he heard knocking.”
Claire stopped.
“What kind of knocking?”
“Three knocks. Pause. Three knocks.”
Harris overheard them.
His face changed.
“That’s a distress pattern we use during enclosed-space training.”
The old chamber sat in a decommissioned section near the aft machinery
spaces.
It was not supposed to be occupied.
Security teams moved immediately.
The outer door was locked.
From inside came three faint knocks.
Pause.
May you like
Three more.
Blake was alive.
