Chapter 6 - THE FALSE RAID
Harper demanded the textile-mill raid during a recorded strategy meeting.
Nicole argued against it.
Voices rose.
A deputy outside the room heard everything.
By nightfall, Travis received the leak.
Exactly as planned.
The task force raided the mill at 2:00 a.m.
Inside they found crates of military vehicle parts, forged invoices, and blood products.
Too easy.
Every label faced outward.
Every document sat dry and clean inside a leaking building.
The evidence had been staged.
Travis’s attorney arrived before the inventory ended.
He accused investigators of planting material.
News cameras appeared within an hour.
The narrative moved quickly.
FEDERAL TASK FORCE TARGETS LOCAL BUSINESSMAN AFTER DINER FIGHT.
Nicole’s kick became part of the story.
Conflict of interest.
Abuse of authority.
Personal revenge.
Exactly what Travis wanted.
The task force suspended Nicole publicly.
Privately, the operation continued.
Travis relaxed.
His trucks began moving again.
Harper wore a concealed transmitter during a meeting at Cain’s office.
Travis poured bourbon.
“You did good.”
Harper said nothing.
“You pushed the mill.”
“I did what you wanted.”
“And Turner?”
“Suspended.”
Travis smiled.
“Powerful people always forget cameras work both ways.”
He opened a wall safe.
Inside were payment ledgers and military access cards.
Harper’s transmitter captured everything.
Then Travis said something unexpected.
“The old woman still has the original book.”
“What book?”
“The blue recipe book.”
Harper’s face remained still.
Travis continued.
“If Nicole finds it, Fort Brannon won’t be the biggest problem.”
The ledger in Evelyn’s diner was only part of the evidence.
The blue recipe book contained names beyond Travis.
People inside the Army.
Federal contractors.
A state senator.
May you like
And one name Nicole never expected.
Major Aaron Cole.
