A convoy of black sedans with federal license plates was blocking the army vehicles at the gate.

“That’s the Inspector General’s office,” I told Hayes. “I sent them the encrypted ledger files ten minutes ago.”

Hayes’s smile faded.

His eyes darted to the monitors, then back to me.

“You’re bluffing,” he hissed.

“Check your phone, Colonel,” I said. “The transmission log is public military record now.”

His grip on the pistol tightened, his knuckles turning white.

“I can still end this here,” he whispered.

“If you shoot us, you confirm everything,” I said, stepping between him and Madison. “They have the signatures. They have the bank routing numbers.”

A loud voice echoed down the concrete hallway behind him.

“Military Police! Drop your weapon!”

A team of soldiers in black tactical vests burst through the doorway, their rifles aimed directly at Hayes.

At the front of the squad was Major General Vance, his face grim.

“Stand down, Colonel,” Vance ordered.

Hayes lowered his pistol slowly, his shoulders slumping.

“You’re finished, Arthur,” Vance said, nodding to his men to disarm Hayes.