The handwriting was hurried, the ink slightly smeared.

*The files they took from Michael’s computer are only the beginning,* the note read. *Look at the logs for the July 14th deployment. Your father didn’t die of natural causes.*

My breath caught in my throat.

I stared at the paper, the words burning into my mind.

The lobby was completely silent around me, save for the ticking of the wall clock.

I turned back toward the offices, my hand gripping the note tightly.

The red light on the security panel at the end of the hall began to flash.

The red light on the security panel at the end of the hall began to flash.

I stared at the blinking light, my fingers tightening around the note until the edges of the paper crumpled.

The duty sergeant turned toward the console, his brow furrowing as he tapped a series of keys.

“Just a minor system update, Colonel,” he said, looking back at me with a reassuring nod. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you, Sergeant,” I said.

I slipped the handwritten note into the inner pocket of my dress blue jacket, right against my ribs.