Page 271 of Operation: Defiance

His eyes widen, and he takes a step back. “You said you were going to stop him. If you can’t⁠—”

“Oh, I’m going to stop him. That’s why I need you to do this. The second video needs to be all about Voss. How he threatened you. How he signed off on the disposal orders. The process, the timing…everything.” I pause for a breath. I shouldn’t tell Brett why. But if he doesn’t do this, Asher will suffer even more. “I need them separate because Voss has someone I lo— Someone important to me in custody. And this is part of the leverage I’ll use to get him out before the end. I swear to you, Mr. Wallburn. By the end of the day, Voss won’t be in a position to make demands or give orders. To anyone. Ever again.”

He searches my face, and whatever he’s looking for, he clearly finds. “Two videos. I can do that.”

Relief hits so hard, my legs tremble. “Thank you. Get Toby all ready to go. Then record your testimony as fast as you can.”

I nod at Inara, and we head for the door.

“Wait,” he says as her fingers close around the handle. He stands in the center of the living room, Toby tucked against his chest, one hand moving in slow circles over the dog’s back. “There was this detainee.” His voice is careful. “The last one I…worked on. I was waiting on authorization when— She got out.” He shakes his head. “She was oriented after the third pulse. No one’s ever oriented after the third pulse. She said⁠—”

My heart takes residence somewhere in my throat. “She said, ‘I’m not okay.’”

Brett goes completely still, eyes wide, staring at me like he’s just seen a ghost.

I tug at the sleeves of my hoodie. The bruising has faded from deep purple to splotches of blue mixed with yellow, but the shape is unmistakable. A record written in skin.

He looks at my wrists for a long time. “You’ll end this?”

I manage a single nod. “I’ll end this.”