“The scale of the fraud goes beyond local banking,” he explained. “Patricia was laundering money through offshore accounts tied to military logistics contracts.”

A light tap sounded on our door.

Two men in dark suits entered before my father could stand.

The taller man had graying hair and a silver badge clipped to his leather belt.

“Colonel Bennett,” the man said, nodding once. “I’m Special Agent Vance, FBI Financial Crimes.”

He turned his gaze to me, his expression softening slightly.

“Mrs. Parker,” he said. “I am sorry for what you have been through.”

“Where is my husband?” I asked.

“He is currently in a holding cell at our field office,” Agent Vance said.

The second agent, younger and carrying a leather portfolio, pulled up a plastic chair.

“Ethan is talking,” the younger agent said. “He started talking the moment the zip-ties went on his wrists.”

“What is he saying?” my father asked.

“He wants a deal,” Agent Vance replied. “He knows he is looking at twenty years for conspiracy and bank fraud.”

I looked down at my hands, which were still pale and trembling against the blue hospital gown.