He looked at Major Vance.

“Major, place the officer under arrest.”

“Sir, on what charges?” Andrew demanded, his voice cracking.

His face had gone completely white, the sweat on his forehead glistening.

“You are being detained pending a formal court-martial,” the General said.

“The charges include conspiracy, grand larceny of government property, and fraud.”

Major Vance stepped forward, his hand moving to the cuffs on his belt.

“Turn around, Colonel,” Vance said.

Andrew did not move immediately.

He looked at my father, his eyes pleading.

“Dad,” Andrew said. “You know me.”

“You know I wouldn’t do this.”

“Emily is setting me up to take my position.”

My father did not look at him.

He kept his eyes on the floor, his jaw tight, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

For the first time, my father did not speak up to defend Andrew.

He did not raise his voice to silence me.

He looked older than his years, the weight of his misplaced trust finally bending his shoulders.

“Turn around, sir,” Major Vance repeated, his voice firmer this time.