“What is it, General?” Michael asked.

Drummond didn’t answer. He turned and walked toward the side exit.

The lieutenant followed him, holding the heavy wooden door open.

I started walking, my boots clicking rhythmically against the floor.

Michael hesitated for a second, then followed a step behind me.

Helen reached out to grab Michael’s arm as he passed.

“Michael, stay here,” she commanded.

Michael stopped.

He looked down at her hand on his sleeve.

Slowly, deliberately, he pulled his arm away from her grip.

He didn’t say a word to her.

He just kept walking behind me.

The side office was small, smelling of old paper and floor wax.

A single desk sat in the center under a harsh fluorescent light.

Drummond placed the tablet on the desk.

The screen was still lit, displaying an official Navy personnel portal.

A flashing red notification icon was pulsing in the upper right corner of the screen.

It was a flag on Michael’s service record.

Beside it was a pending investigation notice from the Office of the Inspector General.

“Look at the screen, Commander,” Drummond said, his voice flat.