Chapter 8 - The Betrayal
Evan's hands were shaking violently as he aimed the pistol at me.
The runway lights illuminated his pale, terrified face.
"Do not take another step, Lauren," Evan warned, his voice cracking with panic.
I stood completely still, staring at the man I had shared a home with for two years.
"How did you know I would come here, Evan?" I asked quietly.
"Chase told me about the biometric security protocols," he confessed.
"He knew you would have to authenticate the data dump in person to make it stick."
I took a slow, calculated step toward him.
"Are you really going to shoot your own wife to protect a corrupt corporation?"
Evan swallowed hard, a tear slipping down his cheek.
"Chase told me they would kill my entire family if I didn't stop you."
"He said you ruined everything by playing the hero."
"I am not playing, Evan," I said, my voice hardening into steel.
"Those defective turbines are currently being loaded onto a carrier deploying tomorrow morning."
"Thousands of sailors will die if those jets fall out of the sky."
Evan lowered the gun slightly, the immense weight of the situation finally breaking through his cowardice.
"I didn't know about the parts, Lauren, I swear to God."
"I just handled the financial accounts and the domestic cover stories."
"Then help me stop this," I pleaded, holding out my hand.
"Give me the gun and walk away before you become an accessory to mass murder."
Evan looked at the weapon in his hand, then looked back at me.
He slowly turned the pistol around and offered the grip to me.
"I am so sorry, Lauren," Evan whispered.
I reached out and grabbed the weapon, securing it safely against my side.
"Go home, Evan, and wait for the federal agents," I advised him.
I turned my back to him and started jogging toward the heavily fortified command center.
I reached the thick glass doors and swiped my encrypted military identification card.
The light turned green, and the doors slid open automatically.
I stepped into the bright, sterile lobby and walked directly toward the mainframe server room.
I placed my hand on the biometric scanner and entered my personal identification number.
A computerized voice announced that the data verification was complete and successfully permanently logged.
A massive wave of relief washed over my exhausted body.
The fleet was safe, and the conspiracy was finally exposed to the highest levels of command.
I turned around to leave the server room and formally surrender to the base security forces.
The heavy steel doors suddenly slammed shut, locking aggressively from the outside.
A thick, white gas began pouring from the ventilation ducts in the ceiling.
It was Halon gas, a chemical fire suppressant designed to completely eliminate oxygen in enclosed spaces.
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Evan's voice echoed through the intercom system mounted on the wall.
"I really am sorry, Lauren, but Chase promised me ten million dollars if I handled this quietly."
