Chapter 2: The Second Call
Ryker took the receiver slowly.
Like a man who still believed he could talk his way out of anything.
"This is Sheriff Ryker.
I don't know who you think you have, but the woman in that cell was detained for disorderly conduct and reckless—"
The colonel didn't let him finish.
"Sheriff.
I'm going to say this once.
You are currently holding a two-star general with active security clearance.
She has a classified briefing on record for 4:00 p.m.
today.
You have denied her legal counsel.
I strongly suggest you think carefully before you say another word."
The room went quiet.
Brenda stared at her desk.
Deputy Miller stood frozen near the door.
Ryker lowered the receiver for a moment.
Then he walked down the hallway toward cell four.
Sarah was sitting straight-backed on the concrete bench, hands folded, eyes forward.
She hadn't asked for anything.
She hadn't said a word since they locked the door.
Ryker stopped outside the bars.
"You could have told me who you were."
Sarah looked at him for the first time since booking.
"Yes," she said quietly.
"I could have."
She didn't say anything else.
She didn't need to.
Back at the front desk, a second call was already coming in.
Brenda answered it.
Her face went pale.
"Sheriff." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"It's not just the Pentagon now."
---
May you like
What Sarah said next — and who was on that second call — changed everything that happened after.
Click the link below to read the full story.
