Harris stepped away.
“Turn off the recording.”
Maria stared at him.
“Why?”
“That’s an order.”
For the first time that night, Maria’s fear had nothing to do with contaminated food.
Because the lieutenant colonel suddenly seemed far more interested in hiding the intruder than finding out what had been placed near the general’s dinner. 👇
Maria did not reach for the power button.
Private Mills stood beside the monitor with one hand still on the mouse.
Lieutenant Colonel Harris looked at both of them.
“I said turn it off.”
Maria’s voice stayed level. “Sir, this recording may show unauthorized access to a secured kitchen and possible food tampering.”
“And I am telling you to secure it.”
“That is not the same thing as turning it off.”
Harris’s jaw tightened.
Mills looked terrified.
Maria stepped between him and the lieutenant colonel, not dramatically, just enough to make the next decision hers.
“Private, save a copy to the incident folder. Do not alter the original.”
“Torres.”
“Sir, if I am wrong, the recording will prove it. If I am right, deleting or interrupting it makes this worse.”
Harris stared at the screen again.
The figure’s wrist froze in the frame. A narrow black cord bracelet crossed by three silver beads.
Maria had seen it before.
Not on Harris.
On Captain Lauren Pike, the command’s logistics liaison.
Pike had been in the kitchen twice that week coordinating the general’s visit. She had complained about the menu, the table placement, and the fact that Maria would not allow unlogged ingredients into the prep area.
Harris turned toward the door.
“Get security.”
Maria did not miss the change.
A minute earlier, he wanted the recording off. Now that Maria had identified the bracelet, he wanted control of what happened next.
