Four military police officers stormed into the room, their weapons raised.

“Military Police! Nobody move!” the lead officer yelled.

The red and blue emergency lights from the courtyard washed over their tactical gear.

“Secure the suspect,” I commanded, not releasing my grip on Hayes until they were close.

Two MPs stepped forward, grabbing Hayes by his collar and pulling him up.

They slammed him against the wall and clicked zip-ties around his wrists.

“Captain Brooks?” the lead sergeant asked, looking at my uniform.

“I am Captain Brooks,” I said, straightening my vest.

“Colonel Hayes is under arrest for treason and conspiracy.”

Hayes spat blood onto the floor, glaring at me with venom.

“You think this stops with me, Natalie?” he sneered.

“You have no idea how deep this runs.”

“Take him out,” I told the MPs.

They dragged him out of the room, his boots scraping against the doorframe.

I turned back to the desk and picked up the black ledger.

I tucked it deep into the inner pocket of my tactical jacket, zipping it tight.

My mother was sitting on the small sofa in the corner, her face buried in her hands.