The snap of the latch was the only sound in the room.

“I’m not here as a clerk,” I said.

“I’m Colonel Sienna Sterling, United States Army Intelligence.

I’ve held that rank for six years.

My clearance process takes four months and includes a federal background investigation you can’t begin to imagine.”

Victoria’s hand fell away from her necklace.

“Every one of you is implicated in wire fraud,” I said.

“Every lawyer in this room who knew about the forged note and didn’t report it.