One of the Master-at-Arms stepped forward, his hand resting near his holster.

“Please stand, sir,” the guard said to Michael.

Michael stood up slowly, his movements stiff and awkward.

He held his hands out behind his back without being asked, a gesture of total surrender.

The metallic click of the handcuffs locking around his wrists sounded incredibly loud in the small room.

Captain Hayes stepped forward, handing a manila folder to General Drummond.

“These are the transfer logs, General,” Hayes said. “They show the diversion of the legacy funds to the offshore accounts.”

“Good work, Captain,” Drummond said. “Take custody of the terminal. Nothing leaves this room.”

I watched as they led my brother out of the office.

He looked smaller now, his polished uniform suddenly seeming too large for his frame.

He did not look at me as he passed through the doorway.

“The Navy administrative board will convene at 0800 tomorrow,” General Drummond said to me. “They will review his record and the financial evidence.”

“Thank you, sir,” I said.