“‘—so proud to tell everyone you were my sister. You’ve got a real gift for words and I hope you’ll continue to use that gift to keep impacting lives.’” She paused. “‘I don’t think I’ve ever told you anything like that before and I just felt like I should. Okay, back to the issue at hand.’” Sarah focused on Dustin’s final words. “‘I’ve included a list of all of the vets who were a part of the program. I had to get a friend to help me hack into Winslow’s computer, but I found what I was looking for. I don’t know that she’s actually hurting people, but not sure she isn’t either, because people are dying. It took me a little bit to figure out the names on the list are people who were a part of the program. When I came across my name, the drug they’re testing, and the dosage amount, it was pretty easy to deduce the rest of it. But then there was a second list. Twenty-six names, also with the name of the drug and the dosage. I tried to get ahold of a few of them to ask if they were part of the trial and I couldn’t get one person on the phone. I found obituaries for six of them. They’re from different parts of the country, but that can’t be a coincidence. Since I’m not sure someone isn’t trying to kill me, I figured with your bloodhound nose and bulldog tenacity, I’d send this to you and you’d figure it out. Please be careful. Ask Caden for help if you need it, but don’t let anyone else know I sent you this stuff. The journal is just for you to put in my safe-deposit box. You know where the key is. Don’t read it. It’s not your business. I just want it someplace safe in case the worst happens. And now that I’ve said that, you’re the only one I trust to do the right thing and actually not read it. A journalist with ethics. That’s a new concept, isn’t it? Seriously, thanks, Sarah. I’m looking forward to seeing you at Thanksgiving. Tell the general . . . well, I don’t know what to tell him. Tell him I hope we can all do Thanksgiving together and I’ll call him soon. I’m talking to Caden so you don’t have to tell him anything. Ha. I love you, baby sis. I can’t wait to see what you do with this story. This might just be the one to catapult you into that dream job you used to talk about. Anyway, I’ll keep sending information as I come across it. Bye for now. Dustin.’”

Tears slipped unchecked down her cheeks, and the general backed out of the kitchen, palms pressed to his eyes.