Chapter 14 - Whispers in the Pentagon
Victoria couldn't speak. Her lips quivered, her knuckles turning white against the edge of the dining table.
"I... my father... he..." she stammered, shrinking into herself.
"Your father, Richard Sterling, heads Sterling Global Dynamics," I said, my voice echoing off the vaulted rafters with cold, crystalline precision. "A company currently under federal indictment for five counts of illegal technology transfer to unregistered overseas proxies. At this exact moment, twelve CID tactical agents and the FBI are executing a search warrant on your family’s estate in Great Falls."
A gasp rippled through the gathered students. Victoria’s knees gave out, and she slumped back into her chair, clutching her chest.
I turned my gaze to Chloe, my expression softening by a fraction of a degree. "Chloe. Grab your coat. School is dismissed for the afternoon."
"Yes, Mom," Chloe said, quickly gathering her bag.
As we walked out into the crisp Virginia afternoon, Marcus met us at the entrance of the administration building. His face was grim, unreadable to a civilian, but screaming danger to anyone who knew military body language.
"General, the escort Suburban has been compromised," Marcus said quietly into my ear as Chloe buckled herself into the secondary armored vehicle. "Our electronic warfare suite detected a high-frequency tracking beacon planted on the wheel well during the school assembly. It originated from inside the Pentagon’s own logistics division."
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My jaw tightened. A traitor within the building. "Who had access to my motorcade schedule?"
"Only Joint Intelligence Deputy Director Bradley’s inner staff," Marcus replied, his eyes scanning the tree line of the prep school perimeter. "General, they aren't just watching you anymore. They’re hunting."
