She looked back at Claire, then stepped away from her, toward the door.

The General walked behind the desk.

He picked up the black telephone receiver.

He dialed a three-digit extension.

“This is the General,” he said into the receiver.

“Get the Provost Marshal on the line.”

“Immediately.”

He kept his eyes on Claire as he waited for the connection.

The red light on the desk phone continued to flash.

I looked at the window.

The rain was starting to fall now, heavy drops hitting the glass with a dull, steady sound.

The air in the office felt cold.

“Yes, Colonel,” the General said into the phone.

“I need you in the garrison commander’s office right now.”

“Bring two of your officers.”

“We have an active-duty arrest to coordinate.”

He set the receiver back down on the cradle with a heavy click.

The sound seemed to echo in the room.

Claire looked up, her face wet with tears and her mascara smeared.

“What are you going to do?” she asked, her voice small.

The General did not answer her.

He looked at me.