Chapter 6 - The Gala List
The gala was scheduled for that evening.
The invitation called it the Patriot Legacy Officers’ Ball.
Black tie.
Private location.
Donors only.
No public registration.
No press.
Marcus obtained the guest list.
It contained retired officers.
Defense contractors.
Private security executives.
Bankers.
Two former government officials.
And several people who should not have been connected to one another.
Priya Shah joined the investigation.
She traced the ticket payments.
Most guests paid through shell organizations.
The gala was not about charity.
It was a marketplace.
The dead identities belonged mostly to soldiers killed overseas.
Their Social Security numbers.
Service records.
Survivor-benefit profiles.
Security-clearance histories.
In some cases, entire background files.
Perfect tools for fraud.
Espionage.
Hidden ownership.
Lisa looked at the list.
Then saw one name.
Claire Donovan.
Her chest tightened.
Claire stood beside her.
“I was supposed to attend.”
“Why?”
“Ryan asked me.”
“You agreed?”
“To stay close.”
Lisa stared.
“How many times do you plan to justify lying to me by saying you were investigating?”
Claire flinched.
“Fair.”
Marcus interrupted.
“Claire may still be useful.”
Lisa looked at him.
“I’m not sending her into that room.”
Claire answered.
“You don’t send me anywhere.”
“I volunteered.”
Lisa almost laughed.
The irony was painful.
Everyone deciding for everyone.
Marcus explained.
The gala could give them direct access to Evelyn’s network.
But they could not simply raid it based on suspicion.
They needed probable cause tied to active transactions.
Ryan had provided information.
Claire could corroborate.
Lisa said.
“No.”
Claire looked at her.
“You don’t trust me.”
“No.”
“I don’t.”
Claire nodded.
“But you trust evidence.”
“Yes.”
“Then let me help get it.”
Before Lisa could answer, Marcus received a call.
Michael had contacted them.
Directly.
He wanted to meet Lisa.
No agents visible.
No tracking device.
No Evelyn.
No Ryan.
Lisa’s heart pounded.
“Where?”
Marcus listened.
Then frowned.
“Fort Logan National Cemetery.”
Lisa closed her eyes.
That was where Ryan’s father had a memorial marker.
May you like
And where a grave existed for Daniel Cross.
Her brother had chosen the place where he was officially buried.
