She did not plead.

She simply lifted her chin, her eyes burning with a cold, silent rage.

“You will regret this day, Allison,” Patricia said.

“You will find nothing but empty accounts,” she added.

“We will see about that,” I said.

The marshal escorted Patricia toward the door, her high heels clicking on the tile of the foyer.

Grant was still looking back at me over his shoulder.

His face was pale, his hair damp from the rain that had blown in through the open door.

“Allison, wait,” he pleaded.

“Just tell me one thing,” he said.

The door closed behind them, cutting off his voice.

The foyer was suddenly quiet, save for the ticking of the clock.

General Vance turned to me, his expression grave.

“It’s done, Colonel,” Vance said.

“Not yet,” I said.

“This is only the beginning,” I added.

I looked at the phone on the console table.

The screen lit up once more.

A text message appeared on the display.

It was from an unsaved number.

I walked over and picked up the phone.

The message was brief.