Major Hayes stepped out of the driver’s side, holding her phone up to record the scene.

“I am documenting this,” she said. “You are acting outside of your lawful authority, Captain.”

“I am following direct orders,” Vance said, turning away from her. “Put him in the cruiser.”

They began to lead Jake toward the black-and-white car.

Panic rose in my throat, hot and choking.

If they took him onto that base, we might never get him back.

They could lock him in a psychiatric ward and bury the records.

My phone buzzed violently in my coat pocket.

I pulled it out with trembling, stiff fingers.

A text message from Daniel Reyes was on the screen.

*We have the federal warrants signed. We are ten minutes away with the marshals. Do not let Vance leave with Jake.*

I stared at the screen, my heart hammering.

Ten minutes.

We didn’t have ten minutes.

The officer was already opening the heavy back door of the cruiser.

“Wait!” I yelled, running toward them.

The second officer stepped in front of me, his hand resting on his taser holster.