Chapter 5 - Ghost Signals
“Vance was my commanding officer during the Bering operation,” I said, my mind racing through memories of mission briefings and classified debriefs. “He was the one who signed off on the search and rescue termination after forty-eight hours.”
“Because he didn't want Ethan found,” Daniel said coldly. “Or what Ethan had seen in the ocean.”
“What was in the water, Daniel?”
“A mobile signal relay,” Daniel answered, pulling up a satellite map overlaid with bathymetric data of the North Pacific. “It was designed to feed fake navigation data directly into military aircraft flight management computers. That’s why Ethan’s instruments failed. And that’s why your Boeing’s spoiler indicator lied to you today over Missouri.”
A chill went down my spine. “You think today wasn't a hydraulic leak?”
“Your airliner’s control computer was updated with a new avionics patch three days ago at Chicago O’Hare,” Daniel said, tapping the laptop screen. “A patch routed through a defense contractor subsidiary owned by Vance’s family office. Someone didn't want you landing in Kansas City, Sarah. They knew you were starting to ask questions about Ethan’s memorial fund last month.”
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed on the crate. The screen lit up with an unlisted, secure military number.
I looked at Daniel, then swiped the screen. “Captain Miller.”
“Sarah,” a smooth, authoritative voice came through the speaker. It was General Victor Vance. “I hear you executed a remarkable landing today. The Pentagon is very relieved.”
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“Thank you, General,” I replied, keeping my voice entirely devoid of emotion. “It was a close call.”
“Yes, mechanical failures in old airframes can be... unpredictable,” Vance said smoothly. “I understand Lieutenant Daniel Hayes was in your airspace today. A bit of a rogue element, that boy. We’re currently reviewing his flight status. If you see him, Sarah, tell him to bring his father’s belongings to my office. Some debts are best paid in full before they cost more than money.”
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