“I apologized,” he said. “At the dinner. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“You questioned my competence and my career in front of my family,” I said.

“You sought to use my position for your own advancement while treating me with contempt.”

“I have a career to think of,” he said, his voice turning desperate. “Caroline and I are getting married.”

“That is no longer my concern,” I said.

“Please, Admiral,” he said, using my title for the first time. “Don’t do this.”

“The Navy requires officers of high character, Commander,” I said.

“You have demonstrated that you lack that character.”

“I am ending this call.”

I pressed the red button on the screen.

I laid the phone face down on the polished wood table.

Miller looked up from his computer.

“The warning shot was fired, Admiral,” Miller said.

“And?”

“The vessel has altered course,” he said. “They are turning away from the gas fields.”

“Good,” I said. “Tell Vance to keep his helicopter on them until they clear the area.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The cabin door opened, and the flight attendant set down a cup of black coffee.