“You knew it the whole time.”

Claire looked up, her blue eyes bright with tears that did not fall.

“You don’t understand how it is, Emily,” she said.

“You have your career.”

“You have your medals and your promotions.”

“You don’t have to worry about what people say at the dinners.”

“You don’t have to maintain an image.”

The General turned around from the window.

He walked back to the desk and leaned his hands on the dark wood.

He looked directly into Claire’s eyes.

“Mrs. Carter,” the General said, his voice dropping an octave.

“I am not interested in your social calendar.”

“I am interested in conspiracy to commit fraud.”

“I am interested in the theft of government funds allocated to an active-duty officer.”

“Your sister was deployed in a combat zone while you were spending her money.”

Claire flinched.

She pulled her handbag tighter against her chest.

“It wasn’t just the money,” Claire whispered.

“Then what was it?” I asked.

“Andrew was supposed to be the one,” she said, her voice rising slightly.

“He was the golden boy when we met.”