He closed the heavy wooden door behind us, shutting out the noise of the base.

On his desk sat a thick, tan folder bound by a red rubber band.

The label on the front read *RESTRICTED*.

My heart beat faster against my ribs.

General Avery picked up the folder and held it out to me.

“Your stepfather is already moving to stop this, Natalie,” he said.

I reached out and took the heavy file from his hands.

The cardboard was cold and slightly rough against my fingertips.

I pulled the red rubber band off and let it snap against my wrist.

“What is in here, sir?” I asked.

General Avery walked around his desk and leaned against the edge.

“The unredacted financial audits of Gregory’s firm from five years ago,” he said.

“And the current lobbying disclosures.”

I opened the cover and flipped past the title page.

A list of names and monetary figures filled the white sheets.

My eyes scanned the columns, stopping on a name I recognized from the federal oversight committee.

“Gregory is paying them,” I said.

“Directly,” Avery replied.