“What is?” the Colonel asked.

“The Department of Defense has issued an administrative freeze,” Sterling said.

He looked up at the Colonel with a blank, exhausted expression.

“All active contracts with Whitaker Defense Logistics are suspended, effective immediately.”

The Colonel sat down heavily in his chair.

He looked at the polished mahogany table, his hands flat against the wood.

“They can’t do that without a formal review,” he whispered.

“They just did,” Sterling replied.

“It’s a national security precaution,” I said, stepping toward them.

The Colonel did not look at me.

“You’ve destroyed thirty years of service,” he said to the table.

“No,” I said. “You did that when you signed the safety override reports.”

Ethan stood beside me now, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

“Come on, Grace,” Ethan said softly. “Let’s go.”

We walked out of the courtroom together.

The marble hallway was cold and smelled of floor wax.

Reporters were already gathering near the elevators.

I held my briefcase tight against my side.

Outside, the Washington rain was gray and steady, washing over the stone steps of the courthouse.