Chapter 5 - THE KNOCK ON THE DOORWe walked up the snowy driveway in formation. I took the lead, my combat boots crunching loudly against the ice. Major Vance and his associate flanked me, their stern, disciplined postures radiating absolute authority.
I didn't knock politely. I raised my fist and hammered three sharp, thunderous blows against the solid oak front door—the exact same rhythmic knock drill used by military inspectors during base barracks sweeps.
Inside, the sound echoed sharply.
A few seconds later, footsteps shuffled hurriedly across the hardwood floor. The deadbolt clicked, and the door swung open.
Colin stood there wearing my favorite silk bathrobe, his hair sticking up in messy tufts, looking bleary-eyed and irritated. He opened his mouth to snap at whoever was disturbing his cozy winter morning, but the words died instantly in his throat.
His eyes bugged out. His jaw went slack.
“Sarah…?” he choked out, grabbing the doorframe as if he were looking at a ghost. “What… what are you doing here? You aren't supposed to be back until New Year's!”
“Surprise, Colin,” I said smoothly, sliding past him into the hallway without waiting for an invitation.
“Hey! You can’t just—who the hell are these guys?!” Colin stammered, pointing frantically at Major Vance and the other officer as they stepped right into the foyer behind me.
“Daddy? Who’s at the door?”
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A sleepy voice drifted down from the upstairs landing.
Chloe appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing an oversized cashmere sweater that clearly belonged to me, rubbing her eyes with one hand while holding a ceramic coffee mug with the other. She froze when she saw me standing in the hallway in my uniform jacket, flanked by two federal officers.
