This was the room where he had hidden his greed.

I turned the knob and walked inside.

The office was clean.

The desk was polished mahogany.

The large leather chair sat behind it, empty.

The sun was shining through the large windows, casting long shadows across the floor.

My chief of staff, Major Reynolds, was waiting by the desk with a thick blue folder.

He looked at me with respect.

“Ma’am,” he said.

“Major,” I said.

“The unit reports are ready for your review,” he said.

“We have some issues with the motor pool that need your immediate attention.”

“Put them on the desk,” I said.

I walked around the desk.

I felt the weight of the command on my shoulders, but it didn’t feel like a burden anymore.

It felt like a purpose.

I reached for the leather chair.

Suddenly, the red light on the secure line phone on the credenza began to flash.

It wasn’t a standard ring.

It was the triple-flash that indicated an urgent call from the Pentagon.

I froze with my hand on the back of the chair.