Chapter 5 - The Arrest on the Tarmac
At 2:45 PM, the bright California sun beat down mercilessly on the main tarmac outside the naval headquarters.
The heavy double glass doors of the administration building pushed open.
Two armed Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents and a base security officer escorted Andrew Whitaker down the concrete steps. Andrew was no longer the dashing, arrogant wing commander. His white uniform shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, his shoulder boards had been stripped, and his hands were cuffed securely behind his back.
His face was contorted in furious, desperate rage as he yelled into the open air: "This is a setup! You have no right to do this! I am a decorated aviator!"
Standing on the sidewalk just thirty feet away was Olivia.
She wore an elegant cream trench coat over a white silk blouse, looking poised, calm, and utterly untouchable. Beside her stood little Ethan, holding the bakery container of cinnamon rolls and two cups of coffee, smiling proudly as he looked across the bay, completely shielded from the chaos behind them.
Andrew spotted Olivia on the sidewalk. His eyes bulged with realization as the puzzle pieces finally snapped together in his mind.
"Olivia!" Andrew screamed, straining violently against the grip of the arresting officer. "Olivia! Tell them who you are! Call Marcus! Tell them to drop the charges!"
Olivia placed a gentle, loving hand on Ethan’s shoulder, guiding him forward toward their car without turning her head or acknowledging the screaming man behind her.
"Ethan," Olivia smiled down at her son, her voice warm and bright. "Let’s take that boat tour of the harbor this afternoon. Just you and me."
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"Yes, Mom!" Ethan cheered, skipping happily toward the SUV.
Behind them, the rear doors of the black federal transport vehicle slammed shut, sealing Andrew inside as sirens echoed across the naval compound.
