Chapter 6
The fluorescent lights of the Provost Marshal’s office buzzed with a relentless, sterile hum that grated on Sarah’s already frayed nerves. It was 2:00 AM, yet Colonel Thomas Vance—no relation to the Oakhaven patriarch, thankfully—sat rigidly behind his mahogany desk, meticulously reviewing the digital files and physical documents Sarah had slammed onto his blotter. The office smelled of stale black coffee and old paper, a familiar military scent that usually brought comfort, tonight offering little solace against the gravity of the unfolding situation.
"You’re accusing a prominent civilian magistrate and estate executor of systematic fraud, forgery, and potentially covering up a homicide dating back nearly two decades," Colonel Vance said slowly, his eyes never leaving the altered coroner's report. He looked up, his weathered face etched with professional skepticism. "Captain Miller, do you have any idea what kind of bureaucratic earthquake this is going to trigger if I escalate this up the chain?"
"I know exactly what it will trigger, Colonel," Sarah replied, standing at strict attention before his desk. "My uncle has weaponized the local legal system to steal my family’s estate, fabricate guardianship claims over my daughter, and suppress federal oversight within county lines. If CID doesn't step in, he’s going to use those forged documents to strip me of my commission and take Lily permanently."
David sat in a metal chair nearby, holding a sleeping Lily in his arms. The little girl had woken up briefly during the security check at the gate, crying softly before drifting back into an exhausted sleep against her father’s chest. David remained silent, letting Sarah handle the formal military briefing, though his presence served as an unshakeable anchor for her arguments.
Colonel Vance sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose before reaching for his desk phone. "I’ve known Robert Vance by reputation for years. Everyone in this district knows Oakhaven Manor holds sway over half the county judges and local police chiefs. If we move on this, we have to move fast, quietly, and with ironclad proof. No room for error."
"The proof is right there in those files," Sarah insisted, tapping the stack of papers. "The financial transfers from 2018 match the exact dates of the forged trust fund documents we found in his private archive. And the letter we salvaged from the fire proves he knew about Lily's legal status before she was even born."
The Colonel picked up the charred letter, examining the edges blackened by the hearth fire. "This letter... whose handwriting is this? It doesn't match Robert’s signature."
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"That's what we need to find out," David spoke up, his voice low and measured. "Someone else was writing those instructions. Someone inside Oakhaven who had access to the family registry and medical records."
Colonel Vance nodded slowly, making his decision. "Fine. I’ll authorize a preliminary federal inquiry under the umbrella of military dependents' welfare protection. But officially, Captain Miller, you and Major Miller are ordered to remain on base grounds until further notice. Do not go back to Oakhaven. Let my investigators handle the search warrants."
