Chapter 4: The Enemy Wearing My Father’s Colors
The most dangerous people aren’t always the ones holding weapons.
Sometimes they wear the same uniform as you.
Commander Richard Vale was respected.
Decorated.
Admired.
Everywhere he went, people shook his hand.
He had medals on his chest and years of service behind his name.
To most people, he represented everything honorable about the Navy.
But I had learned something from Marcus Reed.
A uniform could show what someone wanted the world to see.
Not always who they truly were.
I requested a meeting.
Vale welcomed me into his office with a smile.
“Congratulations on your commissioning,” he said.
“Thank you, Commander.””
He poured coffee.
“You must be proud.””
“I am.””
He sat down.
“You know, your father would have been proud too.””
The sentence bothered me.
“You knew my father well?””
Vale smiled.
“Very well.””
I watched his reaction.
Not his words.
His face.
His eyes.
“You were his superior officer.””
“Yes.””
“And you knew about his investigation?””
The smile disappeared.
Only for a moment.
But I saw it.
“What investigation?””
I placed the letter on the desk.
The room changed.
Vale didn’t touch it.
He didn’t need to.
He knew exactly what it was.
“I see.””
“You knew.””
“No.””
“Then why do you look afraid?””
His jaw tightened.
“You’re young.””
“I’m old enough to ask questions.””
He leaned back.
“Your father asked too many questions.””
The words were quiet.
Almost a confession.
I stood.
“What did you say?””
Vale looked at me.
“Be careful, Lieutenant.””
That was the first time he stopped pretending.
“You have no idea what you’re stepping into.””
I left his office.
My hands were shaking.
Not from fear.
From anger.
That evening, I met Marcus at a quiet diner outside town.
He brought a small box.
“I found this after your father died.””
Inside was a flash drive.
“The evidence.””
I stared at it.
“Why didn’t you turn it over?””
“Because I didn’t know who was involved.””
I looked at him.
“And now?””
“Now I know.””
Before I could ask who, the diner lights flickered.
Marcus looked toward the window.
His expression changed.
Someone was outside.
Watching us.
“Leave,” he whispered.
“What?””
“Now.””
We stood.
The door opened.
A man in a dark jacket walked inside.
He looked directly at Marcus.
Then at me.
“Commander Vale sends his regards.””
My heart stopped.
Because the man placed a photograph on the table.
A photograph of Marcus.
Taken that same day.
May you like
And on the back was a message.
“You should have stayed silent.””