Chapter 5 - The Shadow Breaks
The silence that followed Captain Vance’s words was heavier than the sea itself.
Vivian’s mouth hung wide open, her painted lips trembling as her high heels slipped slightly in the slush.
Derek froze in the back seat, his hands locked onto the leather headrests, his eyes bulging in sheer incomprehension.
“What... what did you just call her?” Vivian stammered, clutching her designer coat tightly around her neck.
“Captain, there has been a ridiculous clerical error; my daughter is Katherine Ross, an administrative clerk!”
“She files requisition forms! She doesn’t have stars, she doesn't command anyone!”
Captain Vance slowly lowered his salute and turned his head toward Vivian, his gaze colder than the Arctic ice.
“Ma'am, you are speaking to Vice Admiral Katherine Ross,” Captain Vance stated with razor-sharp finality.
“She is a three-star flag officer, the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and the keynote speaker for tonight’s Fleet Command Gala.”
“Her security clearance exceeds mine, the base perimeter’s, and every officer's currently stationed on this coast.”
“If you address her with disrespect again on this installation, I will have security personnel remove you in restraints.”
Vivian took a staggering step backward, her hand flying to her chest as her face turned the color of ash.
“Three... three stars?” she whispered, her voice shrinking to a pathetic whimper.
Derek tumbled out of the back seat, stumbling into the puddle beside his mother, his charcoal suit splattered with mud.
“Kate? A... an Admiral?” Derek gasped, his arrogance melting into an oily, desperate panic.
“Wait, Kate, you never said... you never told us you had this kind of pull!”
“Mother, do you know what this means? If Kate is an Admiral, she can award my shipping company the entire naval contract right now!”
Derek lunged toward the open passenger door, extending his hands pleadingly.
“Kate! Sis! Tell these guards to back off!” Derek begged, his voice cracking.
“Tell them we’re together! Tell them I’m the director of Ross Logistics, your brother!”
I did not look at Derek.
I slowly unbuttoned the oversized civilian trench coat, allowing the heavy beige fabric to slide off my shoulders onto the car seat.
Beneath it gleamed the midnight-blue wool of a naval flag officer's dress uniform.
Three massive gold stars shone brilliantly on each shoulder board, catching the harsh glare of the cruiser spotlights.
Four rows of service ribbons stretched across my left breast, crowned by the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star with Valor.
I stepped out of the vehicle, standing at my full height in the freezing rain.
The six Master-at-Arms personnel instantly snapped to attention, their boots clicking against the wet road in unison.
I turned my eyes toward Vivian Ross, the woman who had burned my Annapolis letter and thrown my thank-you cards in the trash.
Her knees were shaking so violently she had to lean against the fender of her leased car for support.
“Thirty years, Mother,” I said, my voice quiet, calm, and utterly devoid of mercy.
“Thirty years you spent telling the world that Derek was your king and I was your family’s servant.”
“You brought me tonight to be Derek’s coat-check girl so he could beg for government contracts.”
Derek stepped forward, tears of panic welling in his eyes.
“Kate, please, we’re family! You have to introduce me to the procurement officers inside!” Derek cried out.
I looked at Captain Vance, completely ignoring the boy who had eaten ice cream while my dreams burned in the sink.
“Captain Vance,” I ordered quietly.
“Yes, Admiral?” Vance replied instantly, his shoulders squared.
“This civilian vehicle is not cleared for base transit,” I stated, pointing toward Vivian’s Mercedes.
“Escort these two individuals off the installation grounds immediately.”
“And inform naval procurement that Ross Logistics is placed under indefinite review for fraudulent access attempts.”
May you like
Vivian let out a strangled wail of despair as two armed security officers stepped forward to take her by the arms.
I turned my back on them and walked toward the commander’s armored staff car, ready to take the podium.
