Chapter 6 - Paid for a Promise
Leah stared at the spreadsheet. "Does the charity board know about this company?"
"We knew a referral service existed. We were told it charged only for organizing personal records, not for influencing VA decisions." Monica tapped the table. "The advertising says families receive 'priority consideration.' Nobody can promise that."
"Have you confronted Graham?"
"Once. He said the charity and the company were separate, and if I questioned his ethics I could resign. I nearly did. Then I thought about what would happen to the families using our food pantry."
That was the part Leah had not expected. Behind the questionable marketing was an actual warehouse distributing groceries to disabled veterans. Volunteers carried sacks on Saturdays. Some families relied on it. Exposing wrongdoing without considering them would create another kind of harm.
"Don't send me internal records you aren't authorized to share," Leah said. "There are formal ways to report concerns."
Monica gave a small, grateful nod. "I can speak about my own experience. And I can ask the board for an outside review. But it may cost me my seat."
On Friday the board met in a rented room above a community center. Leah did not attend. Monica called that night, sounding as if she'd been running.
"They voted to suspend new referrals to the LLC," she said. "Graham called it sabotage. Two members want independent accountants. One wants to protect the charity's name more than its clients."
"What about the old fees?"
"We have to determine who charged them and what service was provided. We can't promise refunds from charity funds without checking what's lawful."
Leah looked toward the stack of papers on her kitchen table. She disliked answers that were correct and slow.
"Margaret Bell paid twelve hundred dollars," she said. "She's on a fixed income."
"I know. She spoke to us this afternoon. She said she wants us to stop using Aaron's image. Not just send her a check."
Leah thought about the way Margaret had held the receipt. Grief had not made her helpless. People simply kept treating her as though it had.
The charity posted a notice that its relationship with Blue Lantern Guidance LLC was under review. Graham issued his own statement calling the accusations politically motivated.
Leah read it from the pilot briefing room at her station. Her commanding officer, Captain Helen Ward, appeared in the doorway.
"I understand you have been discussing a former squadron accident with civilians," Ward said.
"Yes, ma'am. In my personal time."
"And have you used your present assignment to access records related to it?"
"No."
"Then protect that line. A command inquiry isn't your personal investigation. If you have evidence of misconduct, send it to the proper offices. And if you're going to speak publicly, understand that what you say may be treated as a statement from the Navy whether you intend it or not."
Leah nodded.
Ward stayed in the doorway. "One more thing. A reporter called my office this morning. She said you promised an exclusive photograph of the rescue."
May you like
Leah stared at her. She had made no such promise.
But she knew exactly which photograph the reporter meant.
