Vance turned toward the hallway.

“Miller,” Vance called out. “Bring the kit.”

A young warrant officer in combat fatigues entered the room.

He was carrying a heavy black plastic case.

He set the case on the mahogany desk and popped the latches.

Inside were diagnostic cables, a portable terminal, and a thermal imaging device.

“How long, Chief?” I asked.

Miller looked at the safe door, then at his screen.

“Ten minutes to bypass the digital lock, Colonel,” Miller said.

“The biometric scanner will take a bit longer, unless we get cooperation.”

“Get to work,” I said.

Miller nodded and attached a magnetic lead to the safe’s digital keypad.

He plugged the other end into his terminal.

The hum of the portable computer filled the quiet room.

I watched Grant’s eyes track the cables.

He was breathing fast now, his chest rising and falling beneath his tailored shirt.

“What is in there, Grant?” I asked quietly.

He did not answer.

“Julianne says there are encrypted drives,” I said.

“Is that where you kept the schematics for the Aegis radar upgrade?”

Grant flinched at the word ‘Aegis’.