Chapter 6 - The Building in the WoodsWe did not drive to Winchester.
That was Evan's first disappointment.
“You've got an address,” he said. “Why are we sitting here?”
“Because someone wants us to rush.”
“And what if my father's inside?”
“Then driving into a potentially compromised facility without support could make things worse for him.”
He hated the answer.
I understood.
I'd spent years asking myself what I might have done differently during Operation Silent Lantern.
Rushing into danger wasn't always courage.
Sometimes it was simply desperation wearing a uniform.
We contacted the Army Criminal Investigation Division and provided copies of the threatening messages, the recent photograph, and Whitaker's statement.
A federal investigator named Special Agent Laura Bennett agreed to meet us.
Bennett was forty-two, sharp-eyed, and remarkably patient.
She listened without interrupting.
Then she asked the question I'd been avoiding.
“Colonel Mitchell, why haven't you opened Daniel Carter's envelope?”
“Because it was entrusted to me under specific conditions.”
“Those conditions appear to have been met.”
I nodded.
“I agree.”
Bennett arranged for the envelope to be retrieved, documented, and opened under controlled conditions.
Inside were three items.
A handwritten letter.
A small encrypted storage device.
And a photograph.
The photograph showed Colonel Marcus Voss standing beside two men in civilian clothing.
Behind them was a warehouse.
On the back, Daniel had written:
Shipment 42. Investigate before departure.
Bennett examined it carefully.
“Do you recognize the warehouse?”
“No.”
Evan leaned forward.
“What was Shipment 42?”
I shook my head.
The handwritten letter was addressed to me.
Rebecca,
If you're reading this, something went wrong.
The problem isn't the mission. It's the people controlling the information.
I found evidence that equipment listed for humanitarian support was being diverted through unauthorized channels.
Voss knows I found it.
I don't know how many others are involved.
If I disappear, don't assume I'm dead.
And whatever happens, don't let them use the seventeen wounded Americans as an excuse to bury the truth.
Daniel.
Evan covered his mouth.
I had to look away.
Bennett carefully placed the letter on the table.
“This needs a formal investigation.”
“What about the Winchester facility?” Evan asked.
“We're working on it.”
“Working on it?”
“Corporal, I understand what this means to you. But we need evidence sufficient to establish what's happening at that property.”
Evan leaned back, frustrated.
Bennett continued.
“Someone sent you the photograph for a reason. We have to consider whether they're trying to help you or lure you somewhere.”
Later that evening, Bennett received authorization to coordinate surveillance of the facility.
I returned to the hotel with Evan and his two fellow Marines, who had remained nearby after speaking with their command.
Mason finally broke the silence.
“Evan, you should call your mother.”
Evan nodded.
“I know.”
He stepped into the hallway.
A few minutes later, I heard him speaking softly.
“Mom, I don't know yet.”
A pause.
“No. I'm not giving up.”
I turned away, giving him privacy.
Then my phone rang.
It was Bennett.
Her voice was urgent.
“Colonel Mitchell, we have something.”
“What?”
“Our team located signs that the Winchester property was recently occupied.”
“By whom?”
“We don't know.”
She paused.
“But we found a medical supply container with Daniel Carter's name written on it.”
My knees weakened.
“Where is he?”
Bennett hesitated.
“That's the problem.”
“What problem?”
“The building is empty.”
I gripped the phone.
“And?”
“We found surveillance footage from yesterday.”
Her voice dropped.
“Daniel Carter was there.”
I closed my eyes.
May you like
Then Bennett continued.
“And he wasn't alone.”
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