My mother-in-law shaved my head while I slept on the very night the United States Army promoted me into one of the most important commands of

I looked toward the hallway.

“The linen closet,” I said.

For the first time all day, Linda moved.

It was tiny. A twitch of the hand. A tightening around the eyes.

Price noticed.

Hollow.

Linda stood.

“You have no right,” she said.

Price turned. “Ma’am, sit down.”

“You have no right!”

The agent pried loose the false panel.

Behind it was a narrow compartment packed floor to ceiling with sealed plastic sleeves, external drives, cash bundles, passports, and manila envelopes labeled in precise handwriting.

Not Ryan’s handwriting.