“Even Congress won’t be able to touch them.”

I looked toward the heavy oak doors of the hearing room.

Two armed military police officers stood guard.

Inside, the future of my family’s legacy was being decided.

“Take me to Albright,” I said.

“I can’t do that, Eleanor,” Merritt said, shaking his head.

“It’s a closed hearing.”

“Only active duty personnel with top-secret clearance are allowed in.”

“I’m still a reserve officer,” I said.

“My commission hasn’t been revoked.”

Merritt hesitated.

He looked at the guards, then back at me.

“It’s a technicality,” he said.

“But it might work.”

“If Cole’s lawyers challenge it, we’ll lose precious minutes.”

“We don’t have any other choice,” I said.

We walked toward the double doors.

The guards straightened as we approached.

“Captain Merritt,” one of them said, saluting.

“The General is expecting us,” Merritt said, his voice firm.

“This is Major Vale.”

He used my maiden name, the name that still carried weight in these halls.

The guard looked at his clipboard.

“She’s not on the list, sir,” he said.

“It’s an emergency liaison under Protocol 9,” Merritt said without blinking.