My father slowly lifted his head and looked at me.

His eyes were red, his lips parted as if he wanted to say something.

He looked like he wanted to ask for forgiveness, but the words would not come.

I knew this was only the beginning of a very long reckoning.

Rebuilding what they had broken would not happen in this office.

It would take time, and it would require a level of accountability they had never shown before.

“Take him to the holding facility,” the General ordered.

“Keep him isolated until the investigators from Fort Sam Houston arrive.”

“Yes, sir,” Major Vance said.

He took Andrew by the elbow and began to lead him toward the door.

Andrew stumbled slightly, his boots dragging on the floor.

He looked back at me one last time, his eyes filled with a quiet, burning hatred.

I stood tall, my shoulders back, the silver eagles on my collar catching the light.

As the door closed behind them, the silence in the room returned, heavier than before.

Claire sank into one of the leather chairs, her shoulders shaking as she wept.