Clara walked straight into the large wood building housing the base headquarters.
The cool air conditioning cooled her face as she approached the main desk.
A young sergeant looked up from his computer screen with wide open eyes.
Clara: I need an immediate meeting with General Harris right now.
Sergeant: Ma'am, he is currently in an important morning staff conference.
Clara: Tell him Inspector Evans has the full financial audit ready for review.
The young sergeant nodded quickly and grabbed his desk intercom phone handle.
He spoke two quick words before putting the black handset back down.
The inner office door opened wide just a few short moments later.
General Harris stepped out with a thick yellow paper folder in hand.
He stopped dead when he saw the dried food on her uniform shoulder.
General Harris: Captain, what on earth happened to your uniform today?
Clara: Major Vance physically attacked me inside the main dining facility, sir.
General Harris: He put his hands on a visiting federal inspector officer?
Clara: Yes sir, in front of over fifty enlisted soldiers and staff.
General Harris closed his eyes briefly and let out a deep heavy sigh.
He motioned with his hand for her to follow him inside his office.
The large private room had heavy red curtains and traditional wooden furniture.
Clara sat down in a sturdy leather chair across from his desk.
She placed her clean flash drive directly on the dark polished wood surface.
Clara: This drive contains all accounting files from his supply warehouse division.
General Harris: Does it prove he was stealing federal funds from us?
Clara: Over two million dollars missing over the last eighteen months, sir.
General Harris leaned back into his comfortable chair with a dark expression.
He stared at the small metal drive sitting on his neat desk.
General Harris: He knew you were getting close to finding his secret bank account.
Clara: That is why he panicked and attacked me in the mess hall.
General Harris: He thought he could scare you into leaving the base early.
Clara: He was deeply mistaken about my resolve to finish this case.
General Harris picked up his heavy desk desk phone and dialed three numbers.
He ordered military police to detain Major Vance near the main cafeteria.
Clara felt a soft wave of relief wash over her tired body.
The truth was finally coming out into the clear daylight at last.