The guard hesitated, then looked at his partner.

The second guard shrugged.

“Step inside, sir,” the first guard said, opening the door.

The air inside the anteroom was cool and smelled of furniture polish.

Cole was sitting on a leather sofa near the window.

His lawyer, a sharp-faced man in a gray suit, was whispering in his ear.

When the door opened, Cole looked up.

His expression didn’t change, but his jaw tightened.

“What is she doing here?” Cole’s lawyer asked, standing up.

“This is a closed session.”

“Major Vale is here on official business,” Merritt said, stepping between them and me.

“General Albright’s office authorized her entry.”

Cole stood up slowly.

He buttoned his jacket.

“You don’t know when to quit, do you, Eleanor?” he said.

“I’m not letting you walk away from this, Cole,” I said.

“You stole millions.”

“And you blamed a dead man.”

“I didn’t blame him,” Cole said.

“I simply pointed out his participation.”

“The records speak for themselves.”

The inner office door opened.

General Albright stood in the doorway.

His face was lined with exhaustion, his shoulders slightly stooped.