“Permission to depart, sir?” I asked.

“Granted, Colonel,” Drummond said. “Keep your sidearm close. This isn’t over until the board convenes.”

I saluted, turned on my heel, and walked out of the office.

The corridor was brightly lit with fluorescent bulbs that flickered against the polished linoleum.

I walked down the stairs and out into the heavy rain, the cold drops stinging my face.

I pulled my utility cover down lower over my eyes and walked toward my vehicle.

The headlights of a black SUV flashed twice from the far side of the parking lot.

I walked over, my boots splashing through the puddles.

The window rolled down, revealing Captain Hayes behind the wheel, his face shadowed by the dashboard lights.

“Get in, Emerson,” he said.

I opened the passenger door and slid into the dry, warm interior of the vehicle.

The smell of wet leather and coffee filled the cabin.

In the back seat sat three heavy green plastic storage bins, sealed with yellow security ties.

“Are these the Richmond files?” I asked.