“I guess as expected. I know our shooting policy. I have no objection to being stood down. I’m seeing my counselor and keeping a journal.” She shrugged. “I also started the specialized trauma training.”
“I wish I didn’t have to have this discussion,” Kip started.
Her face fell. “Am I being terminated?” she whispered.
“Oh, shit, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. No, I need you. I want you to rest, but we have a problem.” He explained the hack to their HR computer. “Linc Collier and Bruce Steele interrogated these kids. I’m sure they were playing around to prove their skills, but Billings’ file was one they altered. Tech went over their stuff and believed they found all the tampered files. But…”
“My gut says otherwise too.” Gwen frowned and winced. “And the other piece?”
“Troy’s getting calls. I took control of his voicemail since the day of your rescue. Each call, he sounds more desolate and disturbed. I’d like you to study the transcripts. We need to find him.”
She read the new call transcripts. Two words stuck out. “Bremen, not Greece, and lifetime,” she muttered. She opened her computer, remembering a civilian instructor from when she was at Annapolis. When a student asked a question they should know the answer to, she’d say Google it. She typed inTroy Bremen.
The first group of notations referred to the Presidential medal of freedom, Silverton, his interview, being named a shareholder in CSI, and his promotion. The next set were military in nature. He’d been awarded medals for classified operations, and Soteris, his charity. On the third page was an editorial written about rape culture at all the military academies. It discussed a trial of a “firstie” on trial pitted against two other “firsties” who testified for the victim. The man convicted was sentenced ten years to life at the consolidated brig at Miramar. The victim and the convicted were not named, but it did name Second Lieutenant Troy Bremen and the other firstie.
“Lifetime?”
Quickly, she googled the other man. The top listing was his obituary. He was killed by an IED in Afghanistan.
She dialed Tech and asked for Tiki Milton, head of the department. “I need you to find the trial documents from 1998. Military. A firstie was convicted of raping another student. Troy Bremen testified.”
“I can do it, but I need Mr. Brennan’s or anyone above him in rank’s permission,” Tiki said.
“Look, call whoever you have to. This man may be a security risk. And please don’t tell me to ask Mr. Bremen,” Gwen snapped.
“I’ll make the call and get back to you,” Tiki ended the call.
She slammed her hand against the desk in frustration and shrieked. The door flew open, and Noah Paulsen from Bravo Team threw open the door, gun in hand. “Gwen?”
She held up both hands. “Just frustrated.”
Noah tapped his comm. “All clear. No issue.” He sat across from her. “You feel like talking?”
All of Bravo Team held top secret clearance. “Are you aware of the security issues we are working through?” She sipped her cup of iced tea.
“Cal Tech or the new male caller?” Noah asked.
“Both. But I think I may have a theory on the caller,” Gwen explained.
“Waiting for intel is hard.” His phone beeped.
Gwen slumped in her chair. “Time to pick up Fani and Troy’s sisters, Evie and Sofia.”
Noah cocked his head. “If they’re getting overbearing, swipe your forehead. I will brief the team. We have a bunch of diversions. You have your brother, Scott—he’s coming along. Then there’s also an urgent phone call. A bathroom break. A gas leak.”
Gwen chuckled and stood. “Let’s do it.”
Chapter 48
Tim got up from his seat. A metal cart covered by a blue drape sat in the corner. “This is where it gets real, huh?” Troy cracked.
“Slide back and put your feet up. I’m doing all the work,” Tim teased. “I’m going to get your vitals, draw some blood, get an ECG and a chest x-ray to start.”
“To start?”
“One step at a time.” Tim walked to the sink and washed his hands as Eric knocked and entered.
“You realize I can take out the two of you?” Troy teased.
