“He tried to invest in a commercial property development in Colorado Springs that went belly-up.”

“To cover the losses, he took out high-interest personal loans from private lenders.”

“When those lenders started pressing him, he began draining your joint accounts to pay them back.”

“This isn’t just a division of assets issue anymore,” I said.

“No,” Sarah agreed.

“This is bank fraud, forgery, and grand larceny.”

“Because he used your military federal credit union accounts, it falls under federal jurisdiction.”

“He has committed multiple felonies, Rachel.”

I leaned back in the plastic chair.

The room was silent except for the low hum of the heating vent.

“He thinks he is the one holding the cards,” I said.

I turned my phone over and showed her the text message from the burner number.

Sarah read the words, her brow furrowing.

“He is threatening your security clearance,” she said.

“He thinks if he exposes your actual rank and your work history to the press, it will ruin you.”

“He doesn’t understand how national security works,” I said.

“He thinks my quietness was a sign of weakness.”