“The command is yours, Emily,” General Vance said. “Clean up the mess he left behind.”

“I will, sir,” I said.

“The Pentagon will release the official statement at noon,” he said. “Get your house in order.”

“Yes, sir,” I said.

The line went dead.

I placed the receiver back on its cradle.

The red light stopped flashing.

Major Reynolds did not move a muscle, but his eyes were fixed on me.

“The former commander has been arrested, Major,” I said.

“Yes, ma’am,” Reynolds said. “We heard rumors of the investigation, but no one knew the scale.”

“He was selling military property through a shell company,” I said. “He was taking bribes for supply contracts.”

“We suspected the numbers in the logistics reports were altered,” Reynolds said. “But Lieutenant Colonel Carter always signed off on them personally.”

“Those days are over,” I said.

The intercom on my desk buzzed.

I pressed the button.

“Colonel Parker,” I said.

“Ma’am, your parents are at the main gate,” the receptionist’s voice said. “They are with Mrs. Carter.”

I looked at the mahogany desk.

“Are they requesting access?” I asked.