Chapter 3 - Nathan RossSarah did not sleep that night.
At 2:17 a.m., she finally opened a metal box she had carried through seven apartments and three cargo companies.
Inside were pieces of her Air Force life.
A photograph.
A squadron patch.
A folded citation.
And one envelope.
Nathan Ross had written her name across the front.
She had never opened it.
His mother gave it to Sarah after memorial.
“She found this in his room.”
Sarah had put it away because she assumed it contained forgiveness.
She did not want forgiveness.
She had wanted Nathan alive.
Twelve years later, she tore the seal.
The letter was shorter than expected.
Sarah,
If Vector keeps telling maintenance that the oscillation is “within tolerance,” somebody is eventually going to get hurt. I sent copies to Colonel Vance. If he buries this again, I want you to take it outside the chain.
Sarah stopped.
Again?
She continued.
I know you think I joke too much, but I am serious about this. The aircraft is telling us something.
At bottom:
If this turns out to be nothing, you can remind me forever.
Sarah sat on kitchen floor.
Colonel Malcolm Vance.
Her former wing commander.
The man who stood beside her at Nathan’s memorial.
The man who told her:
“You did everything right.”
Vance had retired six years earlier.
Current job?
Sarah searched.
Board member.
Aegis Aeronautical Group.
Aegis had acquired Vector Flight Technologies nine years ago.
Sarah felt cold.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Sarah Mitchell?”
“Yes.”
“This is Eli Ross.”
She did not know what to say.
Finally:
“I opened his letter.”
Silence.
“You had one too?”
“Yes.”
“My mother had a box of his things.”
“What did yours say?”
Eli hesitated.
“That if anything happened during testing, I should not blame you.”
Sarah covered her mouth.
Nathan had anticipated failure.
And anticipated that Sarah would blame herself.
Eli continued:
“I spent years angry anyway.”
“You had reason.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“You left.”
Sarah looked at letter.
“I couldn't fly fighters anymore.”
“My mother thought you abandoned us.”
“I know.”
“She was wrong.”
Sarah's eyes filled.
“Maybe.”
Eli changed subject.
“There’s more.”
“What?”
“Nathan gave me a thumb drive when I was seventeen.”
Sarah sat straighter.
“I forgot about it until last night.”
“What’s on it?”
“I don't know. Encryption.”
“Where is it?”
“My apartment.”
“Don't plug it into anything.”
Eli laughed softly.
“You sound exactly like him.”
Then his voice became serious.
“I called my commander. Investigators are coming.”
Good.
No amateur evidence handling.
Sarah had learned from Flight 229.
Preserve.
Verify.
Do not become the story if documents can speak.
Before hanging up, Eli said:
“Sarah?”
“Yes?”
“Vance is supposed to be in Kansas City tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Aegis emergency response meeting.”
Flight 229's airline had an Aegis maintenance contract.
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Sarah closed eyes.
The man named in Nathan's letter was already moving toward the newest accident.
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