Chapter 2 - The Message He Should Have Deleted
Nathan released Catherine as if the table had caught fire.
“Ma'am, I didn't realize—”
“Don't.”
“Colonel, please.”
“Don't become respectful because you discovered my rank.”
Nathan looked around the restaurant.
A few diners had noticed.
“Can we discuss this privately?”
“We are sitting at a private table.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes. I do.”
Nathan lowered his voice.
“This was a misunderstanding.”
“No.”
Catherine looked directly at him.
“This was probably the most honest you've been all evening.”
His phone vibrated again.
Neither moved.
Finally Catherine asked:
“Who's Lieutenant Parker?”
Nathan's jaw tightened.
“I don't discuss classified personnel matters.”
“Interesting choice of words.”
“What?”
“You spent twenty minutes discussing your captains, lieutenants, enlisted personnel, and commander.”
She leaned forward slightly.
“But suddenly Lieutenant Parker is classified?”
Nathan said nothing.
Catherine opened her handbag again.
This time she removed a brown envelope.
She placed it beside his plate.
Nathan stared at his name printed across the front.
MAJ NATHAN CROSS.
“What is that?”
“Three complaints.”
His face changed.
“Two allegations of retaliation.”
Catherine tapped the envelope.
“One allegation involving manipulation of performance evaluations after a junior officer refused to withdraw an Inspector General complaint.”
Nathan stared at her.
“You set me up.”
“No.”
“This wasn't a blind date.”
“It absolutely was.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“My aunt genuinely thinks you're wonderful.”
Nathan stood.
“This is entrapment.”
Catherine almost smiled.
“You may want to look that word up before Monday.”
“Monday?”
“Sit down.”
Something in her voice made him obey.
Catherine continued.
“I had no intention of discussing your case tonight.”
“Then why bring that?”
“Because after seeing your name, I reviewed the material before coming.”
Nathan's eyes narrowed.
“You shouldn't be involved now.”
“Correct.”
That surprised him.
“You're compromised.”
“Potentially.”
“So you're removing yourself?”
“From any direct determination involving tonight? Yes.”
Nathan exhaled.
Relief.
Then Catherine added:
“But tonight isn't the evidence.”
His relief disappeared.
“The emails are.”
Nathan's eyes flicked toward his phone.
Catherine noticed.
“So are the performance reports.”
He said nothing.
“And if Lieutenant Parker kept copies…”
Catherine paused.
“…those will matter too.”
Nathan grabbed his coat.
“We're done.”
“You're free to leave.”
He took two steps.
Then stopped.
“What happens Monday?”
Catherine looked at him.
“You report to your duty station.”
“And?”
“Do your job.”
Nathan's phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
BRIGADIER GENERAL HOLLIS.
Catherine saw his face tighten.
“Answer it.”
Nathan did.
“Sir?”
Catherine could hear only fragments.
“…assessment team…”
“…Monday…”
“…Colonel Monroe…”
Nathan closed his eyes.
“Yes, sir.”
Pause.
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
He ended the call.
“Are you going to destroy my career?”
Catherine stood and put on her coat.
“No.”
Nathan seemed surprised.
“If your career is destroyed, Major, it'll be because of what you did when you believed nobody important was watching.”
She walked toward the door.
Her phone rang.
Aunt Linda.
“Well?” Linda demanded.
“He made an impression.”
“I knew it! Will you see him again?”
Catherine glanced back.
Nathan stood alone beside the table.
“Monday morning.”
Linda squealed.
“I told you!”
Catherine stepped outside.
“Good night, Aunt Linda.”
She hung up.
Then another message appeared.
BRIG GEN HOLLIS:
Parker requested emergency protection from retaliation.
Catherine stopped walking.
A second message arrived.
She says Cross knows she kept copies.
Catherine looked back through the restaurant window.
May you like
Nathan was on his phone.
And suddenly Monday felt much too far away.
