“I have a right to be here,” I said.

“You have no legal standing here, and your presence is causing distress to a family in crisis,” Vance said.

He adjusted his silver watch.

“If you do not leave, I will have hospital security escort you out,” he added.

I looked at Cassandra.

There was no grief in her eyes, only a fierce, defensive anger.

She was protecting the family brand, even now.

“Did you find his statement, Cassandra?” I asked.

Her jaw tightened slightly, a tiny tell she couldn’t hide.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said.

“The statement he was going to hand to the federal prosecutor,” I said. “The one where he admits his family set up Aaron.”

Cassandra took a step closer to me, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“My father is a decorated hero,” she said. “He would never betray his country, or his family, for a disgraced lieutenant like Aaron.”

“Aaron didn’t do anything wrong,” I said.

“That is a matter of opinion,” Vance intervened. “And soon, it will be a matter of public record.”