“We can verify it right now,” I said.

I reached into my briefcase and pulled out my government-issued laptop.

“The court’s IT deputy can oversee the process,” I said. “I have the encrypted files from the Whitaker database loaded on a secure partition. If these keys are genuine, they will decrypt the unredacted incident reports from the deployment in Sector Four.”

The room went completely still again.

The deployment in Sector Four was the heart of the cover-up.

It was the operation where civilian casualties had been logged as hostile combatants to protect Whitaker Global’s primary government contracts.

I looked at Colonel Whitaker.

He had placed his hands flat on the table, staring down at the polished wood.

He looked like a man waiting for a sentence to be read.

“Very well,” Judge Vane said. “Mr. Marshal, please secure the drive from Mr. Mercer.”

The deputy marshal stepped forward, his leather duty belt squeaking in the quiet room.

He took the small USB drive from Ethan’s hand.

Ethan let go of it without hesitation.