Chapter 4 - The Shadow of Croft Defense
Ten miles away, in a glass-walled penthouse suite overlooking downtown Chicago, a television was mounted above a mahogany boardroom table.
The live local sports broadcast was playing on the screen. The anchor’s voice rang out enthusiastically: “…an unbelievable moment today at the Illinois State Marksmanship Invitational, where an unregistered ten-year-old boy named Noah Miller delivered a legendary performance under the guidance of retired General Marcus Hale…”
A thick, manicured hand pressed a button on a remote, freezing the screen on Noah’s face.
Sitting at the head of the table was Sterling Croft, CEO of Croft Defense Systems—the primary military hardware contractor for the Midwest region. Beside him sat Senator Robert Vance, a key member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“Is that Daniel’s kid?” Senator Vance asked, his voice shaking slightly as he reached for a glass of scotch. “I thought you said Miller’s family disappeared after the court-martial eight years ago.”
“They did,” Sterling Croft replied, his brow furrowed in deep anger. “His wife took the boy and hid in the rural towns. I was told they were living in poverty, powerless, quiet.”
“Quiet?” Vance snapped, leaning forward. “That kid just put a five-shot group through a single hole on live television standing next to Marcus Hale! Hale has been digging into the old military contract files for three years trying to clear Miller’s name. If Hale puts two and two together—if he realizes why Daniel Miller was disgraced—it won't just destroy my re-election campaign, Sterling. It will put both of us in federal prison!”
Eight years ago, Master Sergeant Daniel Miller had been a lead testing officer for Croft Defense’s new sniper system contract. Daniel had discovered a fatal design flaw in the rifle’s pressure chamber that caused barrels to explode under rapid fire. When Daniel refused to sign off on the safety clearance, Croft and Senator Vance had framed Daniel for treason and illegal weapons sales, ruining his career and driving him into hiding before his untimely death in a suspicious car accident.
Sterling Croft slowly stood up, smoothing his tailored suit jacket.
“Relax, Robert,” Croft said coldly. “The boy is ten years old. A fluke shot on a sunny afternoon doesn't prove anything. But we cannot allow Marcus Hale to use this child as a crusade.”
Croft picked up his phone and dialed a number.
“Ryan,” Croft said into the receiver. “I saw the broadcast.”
On the other end of the line, standing in the noisy range parking lot, Ryan Cole wiped sweat from his forehead. “Mr. Croft, I’m sorry. Hale ambushed me. He used his board authority to register the kid—”
May you like
“Listen to me carefully, Ryan,” Croft interrupted, his tone chillingly quiet. “The State Final is in two weeks. Make sure the Miller boy does not qualify. Sabotage his lane, disqualify him on safety technicalities—I don't care how you do it. If Noah Miller steps onto that national broadcast stage, your career in this industry is over. Do you understand me?”
“Understood, Mr. Croft,” Cole whispered.
