I was still trying to breathe through that answer when Attorney Hayes stopped in front of me.
He held out a thick manila envelope sealed with dark red wax.
“The general ordered that this be placed in your hands only after you spoke with him,” he said.
The second I took it, I felt the weight.
Across the hall, Michael saw the seal resting in my palm.
And for the first time since I arrived, he did not look angry.
He looked terrified.
Michael’s eyes locked on the envelope in my hand… and for the first time, he didn’t try to stop me.
He stepped back.
That told me everything.
I broke the seal.
