“He said he had connections in Washington,” Emily said, her breath coming in quick, shallow catches.

“He said he could make it look like you leaked classified information before you retired.”

Richard felt a cold stillness settle in behind his ribs, but his voice stayed perfectly level.

“He was bluffing, Em.”

“He had dates, Dad,” she said, drawing her knees up to her chest and hugging them.

“He had file numbers from your old assignment in Stuttgart.

He told me he’d put your name all over the national news and get the federal government to take your farm.”