“Base command to Unit One, we are receiving your transmission. State your location.”

Hayes froze.

His eyes darted to the black box on the desk.

His face contorted in sudden fury.

Hayes stared at the blue display of the radio receiver.

The red transmit light pulsed with every breath I took.

“Turn it off, Natalie,” Hayes whispered, his voice dropping an octave.

The radio crackled again, louder this time.

“Unit One, we have your GPS coordinates locked to the Brooks estate,” the dispatcher’s voice said. “Identify transmitter.”

I did not reach for the dial.

I kept my hands visible, fingers splayed at shoulder height.

“This is Captain Natalie Brooks,” I said, projecting my voice toward the microphone console.

“I am currently held at gunpoint in the security office by Colonel Donald Hayes.”

Hayes lunged across the corner of the desk, his polished boot slipping slightly on the slick tile floor.

He slammed his left hand down on the power switch of the radio.

The blue light died, cutting off the dispatcher’s next transmission mid-word.

But the damage was done.

“You stupid bitch,” Hayes hissed, his eyes wide and bloodshot.