Anomalies had appeared in information that different teams expected to match.
At first, the discrepancy looked like an ordinary technical problem.
Then additional checks suggested the possibility of deliberate manipulation.
The details were classified.
What mattered was that the agency needed senior decisions quickly, and the ordinary explanations were no longer sufficient.
“Has the Director been informed?” I asked.
“Yes, ma'am. She's traveling and has designated you to chair the immediate response meeting.”
I looked toward the hallway.
“How soon?”
“As quickly as possible.”
I took a breath.
“I'm leaving now.”
My protective team could arrange a dedicated vehicle.
That would take additional coordination.
Instead, I was authorized to use the government sedan already assigned for my trip, with the relevant security arrangements confirmed through the duty office.
A protective liaison would monitor my arrival.
The sealed briefing case had been transferred to my custody earlier for precisely this contingency.
I was not carrying an ordinary handbag full of secret documents.
The material was secured, controlled, and accompanied by the necessary handling requirements.
But if it fell into unauthorized hands, the consequences could be serious.
I returned to the ballroom.
Found the event organizer.
Apologized for leaving.
Then gathered my belongings.
The black sedan waited outside.
I placed the sealed case in its designated compartment, checked that it was secured, and slid into the driver's seat.
Before starting the engine, I called Zora.
She answered sleepily.
“Mom?”
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“Are you coming home?”
“Something came up at work.”
There was silence.
Then she asked, “Tomorrow too?”
The question hurt.
“No. I'll do everything I can to be home for your rehearsal.”
She sighed.
“Okay.”
I closed my eyes.
“Zora, I'm sorry.”
“I know.”
Then, softer, she said, “Just be safe.”
“I will.”
I ended the call.
Started the engine.
And drove into the Maryland night.
The roads were damp from earlier rain.
Fog hung low over the countryside.
A traffic advisory had redirected vehicles from part of my usual route, so I followed an alternate connection through Garnet County toward the Fort Meade corridor.
My navigation system displayed Route 213 ahead.
It was not the road I would have chosen.
But the detour was manageable, and I had been assured the security office knew my revised arrival window.