She was a key federal witness, and Ethan was already moving to destroy her before she could ever testify.

Michael stepped out into the hushed clinic hallway and pulled the heavy wooden door closed behind him until the latch caught with a sharp metal snap.

He leaned against the pale green wall, his voice sinking to the low, flat pitch he always used for operational briefings.

“The Davidson County Sheriff just put out a felony arrest warrant on you, Colonel,” Michael said.

Richard stopped two feet away and rubbed the faded scar on his thumb.