Chapter 8 - Derek’s First Lie
Derek requested an attorney before answering investigators.
He claimed he knew nothing about the evidence case.
General Hayes showed him the settlement agreement with Marcus Vale’s widow.
Derek’s signature appeared on every page.
He changed his story.
He said Thomas ordered the payment.
Thomas denied it.
Linda, still in custody, blamed both men.
The family began collapsing before formal charges were filed.
Evelyn watched from the hallway as Derek was questioned.
She remembered him as a boy.
He was two years younger.
After Evelyn’s mother died, Linda entered their lives quickly.
Derek became Thomas’s project.
Evelyn became the reminder of Susan.
Derek received cars, tutors, and company internships.
Evelyn received lectures about independence.
She joined the Air Force partly to escape.
Derek used to mock her uniform.
Then he asked her to introduce him to procurement officials.
She refused.
Months later, Porter Aeronautics won its first military contract anyway.
Now Derek admitted he approved the cheaper components.
He said he believed the manufacturer’s assurances.
Investigators produced emails.
Marcus Vale had warned him four times.
One message read:
If these relays are deployed in enclosed heat conditions, teams will lose contact.
Derek replied:
Remove speculative language. Delay will cost us the contract.
He stared at the email.
“That doesn’t prove I expected an attack.”
“No,” Hayes said. “It proves you accepted the risk.”
Derek looked toward Evelyn.
“You would have done the same if the company supported your career.”
She stared at him.
“My career was carrying people out after your system failed.”
His face twisted.
“You always thought you were better.”
“No.”
Evelyn held her injured arm.
“I thought you were my brother.”
That answer hurt him more than anger.
He looked away.
Then investigators revealed another email.
It had been sent after the mission.
Derek told a company lawyer:
Use the family history. Evelyn has always been unstable after Susan’s death.
May you like
He had not merely accepted Thomas’s betrayal.
He designed it.
