“You buried his reports,” I said, reading directly from the page.

“You blacklisted him, and you falsified the compliance certificates to secure a ninety-million-dollar defense contract.”

“I have the original inspection logs right here.”

The silence in the room was absolute now.

Only the distant hum of a helicopter engine outside broke the quiet.

General Avery leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Gregory.

“That is slander,” Gregory shouted, his fists clenching at his sides.

“It is a matter of federal record,” I replied.

My fingers were cold, but my voice did not shake.

I looked directly at my mother.

“Mom,” I said. “You know what he did to Dad.”

Eleanor stood up from her chair.

Her knees seemed to tremble, but she held her head high.

She looked at Gregory, then looked up at the stage at me.

“She is telling the truth, Gregory,” Eleanor said, her voice shaking but clear.

“And I am leaving you.”

Gregory stared at her, stunned, his face twisting in rage.

He looked as if he wanted to strike someone, but the room was filled with military officers.

Denise grabbed his arm, pulling him back toward the exit.

“We are leaving,” Gregory hissed, turning on his heel.

He marched out of the hangar, Denise trailing close behind him.

The guests began to whisper fiercely, the sound rising like dry leaves in the wind.

I turned back to the microphone, but the ceremony was effectively over.

General Avery stood up and walked over to me.

The crowd began to disperse into tense, murmuring groups near the exits.

“Colonel Richards,” Avery said quietly.

“Sir,” I replied, saluting him.

He returned the salute, then gestured toward the side exit of the hangar.

“Follow me to my office,” he said.

We walked out of the bright California sun and into the cool shadow of the administrative building.