“I’m looking at your grandfather’s little box right now,” he said, a manic edge to his voice.

The background noise on his end was loud, like wind howling through an open door.

“You think you’re so smart with your rank and your money,” he sneered.

“But without these original papers, your high-priced lawyer can’t prove a thing.”

“Don’t do this, Grant,” I told him. “It’s over.”

“It’s only over when I say it is,” he snarled.

“I’m at the storage facility now, and I’ve got a lighter in my hand.”

“I’ll burn every single piece of your family history to ash if you don’t call off the police.”

I looked at General Vale, who was already gesturing for me to keep him on the line.

The General quickly typed a message on his own phone, tracing the call.

“You won’t do that,” I told Grant, trying to buy time. “Those papers are your only leverage.”

“You want to test me?” Grant laughed, a sound that chilled me to the bone.

“I’ve got nothing left to lose, Tessa. You took my home, you took my reputation.”