Madison stood beside her, her hand resting on our mother’s shoulder.

She looked at me, her face pale but her eyes steady.

We had done it.

The evidence was in my pocket.

With Hayes in custody and the ledger secured, my father was facing a lifetime in federal prison.

The conspiracy that had threatened to tear our family apart was finally out in the open.

But the radio on the desk was still buzzing.

“Captain Brooks, do you copy?” Vance’s voice was colder now.

I walked over to the transceiver and picked up the hand mic.

“I copy, General,” I said, my voice steady.

“Colonel Hayes is in custody.”

“The logistics ring has been dismantled.”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

Only the sound of the rain beating against the window filled the room.

“That is unfortunate,” Vance said quietly.

“For you.”

The radio went dead.

I frowned, looking down at the black console.

In the hallway, the sound of shouting erupted.

“Get back! Clear the hallway!” a voice yelled.

The two MPs who had stayed in the room suddenly raised their rifles.