I switched on the low green desk lamp beside the secure terminal.

The air in the vault was dry and smelled of fresh paper and circuit boards.

Around my neck, tucked under my collar next to David’s brass military wristband, hung the little nickel key to the red filing cabinet in the corner.

I unclipped the chain, unlocked the cabinet drawer, and took out the heavy canvas binder marked Federal Defense Audit, Region Four.

I laid the binder flat under the desk lamp and opened it to the first tabbed divider.