Chapter 24 - The Fall of the Old Guard
The fallout from the botched Senate ambush was swift, merciless, and decisive.
Within seventy-two hours of the televised hearing, the Department of Defense Inspector General launched an immediate inquiry into unauthorized access and tampering with classified military records.
Federal agents served a search warrant on the offices of Cole Strategic Consulting in Arlington. By Friday afternoon, retired Lieutenant General Robert Cole was formally indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to tamper with official government documents and unlawful possession of classified national defense records.
Simultaneously, Lieutenant General Raymond Vance was called to the office of the Chief of Staff of the Army. Thirty minutes later, a one-sentence press release announced that Raymond Vance had submitted his request for immediate retirement from active duty.
Back at Fort Liberty, the atmosphere was one of quiet vindication.
In the dining hall of Mercer Hall, a small flat-screen television above the counter was broadcasting the evening news. Linda Mercer, resting her elbows on the counter beside Captain Alan Miller, watched as the news anchor described the confirmation of Sophia Carter by a unanimous 98-0 Senate vote.
"Look at her," Linda whispered, a bright, triumphant smile spreading across her face. "They tried to tear her down, and she just stood there like a mountain."
Miller smiled, stirring sugar into his coffee. "You can't tear down someone whose foundation is made of bedrock, Linda. Vanessa Cole and her family spent their entire lives thinking power is something you take from others. General Carter knows that real power is what you give back."
Major Drake walked out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a clean service towel. He looked up at the television, watching Sophia shake hands with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after the committee voted to confirm her promotion.
"She’s coming back to Liberty on Monday," Drake said quietly.
May you like
"She is?" Linda asked, turning to him.
"Yes," Drake replied, his eyes reflecting a deep, peaceful pride. "The promotion ceremony isn't taking place at the Pentagon. She specifically requested that the third star be pinned right here on post."
