Page 153 of Broken Oath

“I identified Thornton’s authorization.”

Every head turned.

Fathom enlarged a document on the center screen.

“The day after the mountain, Thornton assumed control of the investigation under an emergency national-security order.”

“Who authorized it?” Rook asked.

“That’s the problem.”

A signature field appeared.

Empty.

Not redacted.

Deleted.

Rook’s smile disappeared.

“Same method used to erase the mission-access record?”

“Exactly the same.”

Someone had entered Rook’s mission package three days before the ambush.

Someone had placed Thornton in charge of the investigation one day after it.

Both identities had been deleted using the same procedure.

“The person inside that fourth SUV,” Sniper said.

Rook had reached the same conclusion.

The others on the board had arrived openly.

The unknown passenger was the only person powerful enough to enter without identification.

“Thornton isn’t the top,” Rook said.

“No,” Fathom agreed. “But he knows who is.”

A warning alarm sounded.

Every operator reached for a weapon.

Falcon turned toward the security monitors.

“North harbor sensor.”

Cutter removed a radio from his coat.

“Harbor control, report.”

Static answered.

Then one of Cutter’s dock supervisors spoke.