Hayes," he said. "And I'm telling you this not because I owe you an explanation, but because what you found deserves context." He paused. Apex Vector Aviation has been on our radar for 22 months. We have reports from facilities in Nevada, in Georgia, and now from you in Texas. Parts appearing in supply chains that shouldn't exist. documentation that looks clean on the surface but doesn't hold up when you chase the original manufacturer records.
He looked at Malcolm directly. In 22 months, we have had zero documentation packages solid enough to take anywhere. Every report we've gotten has been verbal. Recollections. I thought the serial number looked wrong.
Something felt off. Nothing written, nothing organized, nothing that a federal case could be built on. He put his hand on the binder again. This, he said, is 312 pages of organized sourced cross-reference documentation with primary source records attached. Rachel Kim standing in the doorway of the back office said nothing.
But Malcolm saw her exhale. What does that mean for the investigation? Malcolm asked. It means Delgado said carefully that we now have a thread and our job, my job is to pull it. He paused. which is going to require your cooperation not just today going forward.
What kind of cooperation testimony? Delgado said your records, your documentation process, a deposition possibly multiple. And I want your team, Ms. Kim, specifically available to walk our technical staff through how she accessed and verified these records so we can establish the methodology in a legal context. Malcolm looked at Rachel.
She gave him a single nod, not enthusiastic, not reluctant. Just yes. All right, Malcolm said. Delgato picked up the binder. I'll need to take this.
That's a copy, Malcolm said. Rachel made four. One for you, one for us, one for Sterling Crown's insurance carrier, and one in a secure location offsite. Delgato looked at him. I've been in business 19 years," Malcolm said.
"I know how documentation works." For the first time, the investigator almost smiled. He stood up, tucked the binder under his arm, and picked up his manila folder from the table. He'd never opened it. Malcolm realized whatever was in it, he'd come in with information he already had and left with information he needed. Ms.
Sterling grounded her fleet this afternoon, Delgato said at the door. All 11 aircraft. She called our Dallas field office before she called her own board. He paused. That was the right call.
It's also the kind of call that in my experience, people only make when someone has given them a very clear picture of what's at stake. He looked at Malcolm. You gave her that picture. He left. The shop was quiet for a moment after the door closed.