Part 4: The Leak

“Sir,” I asked quietly, “what is going on?”

General Hayes hesitated just long enough for dread to find me.

“The promotion orders are legitimate,” he said. “So is the command authorization. But that is not the only reason I came personally.”

I held Grace closer.

He explained that an internal review had uncovered possible unauthorized disclosure connected to my previous assignment. Someone near my administrative chain may have accessed restricted personnel and family information.

“Family information?” I asked.

“Home address. Spouse information. Medical scheduling. Leave status. And certain financial identifiers tied to your trust paperwork.”

The room seemed to tilt.

My grandfather’s inheritance.

The twenty million dollars I had told no one about because the legal transfer was bound by confidentiality.

I had followed every rule.

“Are you saying someone leaked it?”

“We don’t know yet.”

I looked at Elise.

She did not move.

But silence could confess in its own language.

General Hayes continued. “Captain Warren’s name appeared in access logs tied to files outside the scope of her duties.”

Elise turned sharply. “Sir, I had administrative reasons to—”

“You will provide a full statement later.”

Her mouth closed.