“He’ll say you’re using federal military authority to bully a private family estate.”

“My command clearance has been signed,” I said.

“Then what you need is the seal,” Arthur said.

He drew a thick white folder out of the accordion pocket and laid it flat on the wooden porch railing.

On the cover page, just above Arthur’s detailed breakdown of the financial audit, sat a heavy gold foil emblem.

Pressed right into the center of the foil was the raised brass seal of the United States Navy Legal Service Command, certifying every document attached below it as a verified federal record.

By ten the following morning the autumn rain had let up, leaving the cedar shingles on the old garage dark and wet.