It promised to help former service members recover benefits they had been denied.
Thousands of veterans had signed contracts.
But George had begun noticing something unusual.
Clients were receiving letters saying their claims had been delayed because of missing documentation.
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Some were told their medical records had disappeared.
Others were charged fees for services never completed.
Several veterans had signed settlement agreements without understanding that they were surrendering portions of their future compensation.
George had spent months collecting statements.
Then he discovered something worse.
A former employee had reported that Sentinel Recovery Services had been using military insignia and unofficial government-looking correspondence to gain veterans’ trust.
The company had no connection to the Navy.
But its executives had convinced clients otherwise.
Davis stared at the documents.
“Why are you telling me this?”
George looked at Thorne.
“Because one of the people involved has access to this base.”
Davis felt his chest tighten.
Thorne nodded.
“We have reason to believe someone may be using military facilities and personnel relationships to identify potential clients.”
Miller’s name immediately crossed Davis’s mind.
But he said nothing.
Thorne watched him carefully.
“Have you seen anything unusual involving Miller?”
Davis hesitated.
Then he remembered the way Miller had stared at George’s insignia.
The way he had demanded identification.
The confidence with which he had assumed no one would challenge him.
“I don’t know,” Davis said carefully.
George nodded.
“That’s the honest answer.”
The next morning, Davis received a message from an unknown number.
It contained only one sentence.
You should have minded your own business.
He stared at the screen for several seconds.
Then he showed it to Thorne.
The Master Chief read it twice.
“Did you give your number to anyone yesterday?”
“No, sir.”
“Did anyone see you making the call?”
Davis thought about the kitchen.
The service window.
The staff moving around.
Miller standing near George’s table.
“I don’t know.”
Thorne took a screenshot.
“Don’t respond.”
Davis nodded.
Thorne immediately reported the message to base security.
By noon, the situation had changed.
