“She was serving her country, and you were stealing her life.”

“Andrew promised me we would pay it back,” Claire said, her voice cracking as she finally looked at her father.

“He said it was just a temporary arrangement until he got the garrison command.”

“Once he was the commander, the housing allowance would cover everything.”

The red light on the desk phone began to flash once more, a steady, rhythmic pulse in the dim corner of the office.

Before anyone could move, the heavy oak door of the office swung open.

The garrison duty officer stood in the doorway, his face pale and his chest heaving as if he had run up the stairs.

“General,” the officer said, his voice tense.

“We have a situation at the main gate.”

The General did not look at the officer immediately.

He kept his eyes on Claire, his jaw tight.

“What is it, Lieutenant?” the General asked, his voice low and dangerous.

The young officer took a breath, his hand resting on the brass doorknob.

“Colonel Carter’s vehicle was stopped at Gate One, sir,” the lieutenant said.