Chapter 9 — The Order
The Navy opened a classified inquiry.
Admiral Reed was temporarily relieved of operational authority because of his personal connection to Celeste.
The media interpreted it as proof that her entire career had been manufactured.
Arthur’s attorneys moved quickly.
They claimed Reed had promoted his secret daughter and helped her fabricate allegations against Vale Maritime.
For the first time since returning, Celeste felt the ground shifting beneath her.
Then a Navy intelligence officer delivered a sealed mission archive.
Inside was a routing order connected to the Resolute’s final patrol.
The submarine had not originally been assigned to the South China Sea.
The mission changed after a private contractor reported suspicious activity near an undersea communications line.
That contractor was owned by Vale Maritime.
Celeste read the authorization twice.
Arthur’s company had created the intelligence that placed her vessel in hostile waters.
“He sent us there,” she said.
Moreno nodded.
“And made sure the Resolute carried the defective bulkhead systems.”
Celeste looked at Reed.
“You knew the route had been changed.”
“I knew command approved new intelligence. I did not know Vale generated it.”
“Would you have stopped the mission?”
“Yes.”
“Even if it exposed your relationship with my mother?”
“Yes.”
She wanted to believe him.
Before she could respond, an aide rushed into the room.
A Vale Maritime research vessel had exploded in the harbor.
It housed the company’s backup data center.
Television footage showed black smoke rising over the water.
Arthur appeared before the press within an hour.
“This attack proves my family is being targeted,” he declared. “I fear my daughter’s campaign has encouraged dangerous people.”
The accusation spread immediately.
Celeste’s supporters became suspects.
Protesters gathered outside the federal building.
Then Moreno received the preliminary fire report.
The explosion had been remotely triggered.
The detonation code came from a secure Navy terminal.
A terminal registered to Admiral Reed.
Agents entered the room.
“Admiral Thomas Reed,” the lead investigator said, “you are being detained on suspicion of sabotage and destruction of federal evidence.”
Celeste looked at Reed.
He did not resist.
As the agents took him away, he leaned toward her.
“Your mother once told me Arthur’s greatest strength was making innocent people defend themselves.”
Celeste watched the doors close behind him.
Then she looked at the routing order again.
A tiny notation appeared beneath the authorization code.
May you like
It was not Arthur’s.
It belonged to Vivian.
