I let it ring, the blue light reflecting in the dark hallway.

I pressed the button on the side of my phone to silence the ringer.

The screen went dark, but the metal casing remained warm in my hand.

“She wanted to see if Nathan’s name was on the list,” I said.

“That is our assessment, Admiral,” Miller replied.

“She was looking for leverage.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Miller said, adjusting his glasses.

“If Nathan did not make the cut, she likely planned to use whatever she found to force a reconsideration.”

I looked down the long, gray corridor of the Pentagon sub-basement.

The air smelled of floor wax and stale air conditioning.

“She has always been impatient,” I said.

“What are your orders regarding the digital intrusion, Admiral?” Miller asked.

“File the report with Naval Cyber Command,” I said.

“Do not redact her name.”

“Understood, ma’am.”

“We will deal with my sister after we settle the matter in the briefing room.”

I checked my watch.

Twelve minutes of the recess remained.

I walked to the heavy oak door at the end of the hall and pushed it open.