Chapter 1 - The Call
I stood by the SUV and listened to the dead silence on the other end of the encrypted line.
The JAG officer finally took a sharp, uneasy breath.
"We have been building a federal case against Sheriff Vance for six months," the officer said.
"He is not just a corrupt local cop, Logan."
"He is running a domestic weapons smuggling syndicate right under our noses."
Amelia crossed her arms and stared out the passenger window, refusing to make eye contact with me.
"Are you going to get in, or are you just going to stand there dripping milkshake onto the pavement?" she snapped.
I climbed into the driver's seat without a word and started the engine.
The entire drive home was completely suffocating and silent.
When we pulled into the driveway, I immediately noticed an unfamiliar black truck parked near the tree line.
Amelia did not wait for me to open her door.
She rushed inside the house and walked straight into our master bedroom.
I followed her down the hall, wiping the last streak of dried strawberry syrup from my neck.
Two large, expensive suitcases were already packed and sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I am leaving you, Logan," she said, her voice entirely devoid of emotion.
"Dominic is twice the man you will ever be."
I did not beg her to stay, nor did I raise my voice.
I simply looked past her at the open, hidden wall safe in the back of my closet.
"You can have the house, Amelia," I said calmly.
"But why did you take my classified military retirement folder?"
May you like
She smiled coldly and pulled a suppressed pistol from her designer purse.
"Because your military clearance is the only reason we kept you alive this long," she whispered.
