Chapter 9

Within ten days, Nakamura secured alternative funding. The new sponsor was the Torres Medical Foundation — Ethan's family, it turned out, were third-generation military physicians with deep philanthropic roots and zero tolerance for politics. The $20 million from Trident Defense was formally declined. When Ryan received the rejection, I imagine something broke inside him. Because the next morning, his truck was gone from the gate. His motel room was vacated. For one fragile, beautiful...