Chapter 5 - Hawthorne Six
At the county station, Grant was placed in a sterile interview room with white cinderblock walls, a metal table, and one-way glass.
Maddox dumped his belongings onto the table.
Wallet.
Military ID.
Phone.
Keys.
Command pass.
Then he set the sealed transfer case between them.
“Fancy little briefcase,” Maddox said.
“Do not open that.”
Maddox smiled. “Or what?”
Grant remained seated because every year of training told him that standing would give Maddox the reaction he wanted.
“That case is federally sealed. Contact Naval Security.”
Maddox tapped the lock with two fingers. “Maybe after I find out what you’re hiding.”
Norris appeared in the doorway.
“Commander Grant requested a phone call.”
Maddox glared at him. “You running the shift now, rookie?”
“No, sir. I’m following policy.”
For the first time, Maddox hesitated.
Then he shoved Grant’s phone across the table.
“One call. Speaker on.”
Grant dialed from memory.
A voice answered immediately.
“Naval Security Operations.”
Grant looked at Maddox.
“This is Commander Elias Grant. Authentication code Hawthorne Six. I have been assaulted, unlawfully detained, and separated from a sealed federal transfer case. Initiate immediate recovery protocol.”
The line went silent for half a second.
Then the voice changed.
“Commander, remain where you are. Naval command is assuming response control.”
Maddox laughed.
Norris did not.
He looked at the case.
Then Grant.
Then the phone.
“Ray,” he whispered, “maybe we should stop.”
Maddox grabbed the phone and ended the call.
May you like
Grant kept his voice even.
“That was a mistake.”
