He pointed a thick, weathered finger at a paragraph near the bottom of the page.

“His firm is actively lobbying the Justice Department to shut down the newly reopened civil investigation into Daniel Hayes’s death.”

“They are calling it a matter of national security to protect their defense contracts.”

My grip tightened on the edge of the folder.

“Can they actually block a federal inquiry?” I asked.

“If the committee buys their argument about proprietary technology, yes,” Avery said.

He walked over to the window and looked out at the flight line.

“They have three former senators on their payroll, Natalie.”

“They are moving fast because they know what is in those files.”

The office hummed with the quiet vibration of the building’s air conditioning unit.

I stared at the signatures on the bottom of the lobbying disclosure form.

Gregory’s bold, sweeping signature was right next to Denise’s neat, compact one.

She was already securing her share of the empire.

“This is enough to prove conflict of interest,” I said.

“It is,” Avery agreed, turning back to face me.