“We need to get you off this base before Vance gets that signature,” Hayes said.

She grabbed her coat from the back of her chair and threw it over her shoulders.

“I will stay here and stall Vance,” Hayes said. “Reyes, you take the side exit with them.”

“Are you sure, Major?” Jake asked.

“Go,” Hayes said. “That’s an order, Captain.”

Jake nodded once, his face set in a grim line.

He reached down and picked up Owen, cradling our son against his chest with one arm while keeping his other arm free.

“Stay close to me, Hannah,” Jake whispered.

I grabbed the diaper bag and followed him toward the narrow rear door of the office.

Reyes led the way, his tablet tucked under his arm.

We stepped into a narrow utility hallway that smelled of damp concrete and floor wax.

The overhead fluorescent lights flickered, casting long shadows on the cinderblock walls.

We walked quickly, our boots making no sound on the rubber floor runner.

At the end of the hallway, a heavy metal door with a push-bar led to the outside.