“He knew,” I whispered.

“He knew what Grant was doing before he died.”

Naomi took the recorder from my hand with gentle precision, placing it inside a plastic evidence bag.

“This is invaluable, Tessa,” Naomi said.

“It establishes intent. It proves Grant’s signature forgery was premeditated.”

General Vale crossed his arms, his face set in a hard, grim line.

“We need that flash drive,” Vale said.

“I will send a military police escort to the house with Naomi to secure it immediately.”

“The house is locked down under the temporary order,” Naomi said, looking at her watch.

“But we must move fast before Grant realizes what we have found.”

I looked out the window at the gray Virginia sky.

Rain was beginning to patter against the double-paned glass, matching the storm brewing inside my chest.

“Grant won’t just walk away,” I said, my voice cold.

“He knows he is cornered.”

“Desperate men make mistakes, but they also lash out,” Vale agreed.

A sudden knock on the door broke the tension.

A young nurse in blue scrubs poked her head inside, her expression anxious.