Major Reynolds looked at the phone, then at me.

The red light pulsed against the dark wood of the wall.

I reached across the desk and picked up the heavy black receiver.

“Colonel Parker,” I said.

The voice on the other end was crisp and familiar.

“Emily, this is General Vance,” he said.

“Good morning, General,” I said.

“The federal warrants have just been unsealed,” General Vance said.

I looked at Major Reynolds, who stood at attention near the door.

“Andrew Carter was arrested ten minutes ago at his residence,” the General continued.

My heart beat a steady, quiet rhythm against my ribs.

“Understood, sir,” I said.

“The military police are secured at his off-base home now,” he said. “They are retrieving the secondary hard drives.”

“And my sister?” I asked.

“She tried to obstruct the officers,” General Vance said. “They had to detain her briefly.”

I looked out the window at the hot Texas sun baking the asphalt of the parade ground.

“Is she injured?” I asked.

“No,” the General said. “But she is highly uncooperative.”

“I expected as much, sir,” I said.