Three men in dark suits entered, followed by two armed royal guards.

The lead man had a leather folder in his hand and a gold badge pinned to his lapel.

“Commander Carter,” he said, nodding to me.

“I am Special Agent Vance from the FBI diplomatic security detail.”

“We are here to take custody of Rachel Carter.”

“She is right here, Agent Vance,” I said.

The agent walked over to Rachel.

“Rachel Carter, you are under arrest pursuant to a federal warrant issued by the Eastern District of Virginia,” he said.

He pulled a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt.

Rachel did not struggle as he pulled her arms behind her back.

The metal clicked shut with a sharp, cold sound.

She gasped slightly as the steel tightened against her wrists.

“We have a vehicle waiting in the courtyard,” Agent Vance said.

“We will transport her directly to the military airfield.”

“The C-17 transport is scheduled for departure in two hours.”

“I will be on that flight,” I said.

“My leave has been cancelled, and I am returning to my command.”

“Understood, Commander,” he said.