Chapter 10 - The Unraveling
The CID Colonel stopped in front of me, rendered a sharp salute, which I returned, and then turned his cold gaze onto Richard Vance.
“Master Sergeant Richard Vance?” the CID officer asked.
Dad stiffened, his instincts as a soldier taking over before his brain could process what was happening. “Yes, Colonel.”
“I am Colonel Thomas Harris, United States Army Criminal Investigation Division,” the officer stated clearly. “Effective immediately, your retirement processing has been suspended pending the outcome of an Article 32 preliminary hearing.”
Dad’s jaw dropped. “What? Suspended? On what grounds? I have thirty-two years of honorable service! My DD-214 was signed last Friday!”
“Your DD-214 has been placed on an administrative hold by order of the Department of the Army Inspector General,” Colonel Harris replied, pulling a formal summons from his briefcase. “During an audit of the Fort Bragg armory logistics depot from 2019 to 2022—during your tenure as Senior Supply Sergeant—significant discrepancies involving serialized night-vision optics and tactical communication gear were identified. Furthermore, financial records link several off-post surplus sales directly to accounts registered under your son, Derek Vance’s name.”
Dad staggered back as if he had been struck with a sledgehammer. “No... no, that’s impossible. That was surplus scrap! It was written off as combat loss!”
Derek let out a strangled whimper from the floor where he was still kneeling. He looked up at the MPs, his eyes wide with utter terror. “Dad... you told me the paperwork was cleared! You said nobody checks those manifests after three years!”
The guests who were lingering near the coat racks gasped.
The picture was now complete.
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Richard Vance hadn't just been a bitter father. He had been running an illegal supply skim operation using his position to funnel military equipment into civilian hands to pay for his golden boy’s debts and keep up the facade of Derek’s success.
“Master Sergeant Vance, Specialist Vance,” Colonel Harris said, gesturing to the MPs. “You are ordered to report to the Fort Bragg Provost Marshal’s office tomorrow morning at 0800 for formal deposition. If you attempt to leave the jurisdiction of the county, warrants will be issued for your immediate apprehension.”
