“I told the police everything I know,” she said over her shoulder.

“But they said they need a judge to sign a warrant for the storage unit.”

“That will take time,” I said, thinking of Naomi’s legal team.

“Grant knows that,” Brielle said. “He’s planning to empty it tonight.”

She opened the door to leave.

Just as she stepped into the hallway, the shadow of a tall man fell across the threshold.

Lieutenant General Marcus Vale stood in the doorway, dressed in his Class A uniform.

His silver hair was neat, and his expression was grim.

Brielle froze, looking up at the high-ranking officer.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” General Vale said to Brielle, his deep voice commanding the small space.

Brielle nodded quickly, slipping past him and disappearing down the corridor.

General Vale stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

“Colonel Langley,” he said, acknowledging me with a respectful nod.

“General,” I said, trying to sit up straighter. “You didn’t have to come.”

“I take care of my officers, Tessa,” he said, walking to the side of my bed.