“The General is here,” I said, gesturing to Drummond. “The base commander is thirty feet away. If you do not sign the release for the Richmond box right now, we will have federal marshals at your door in the morning.”

Helen looked at General Drummond.

Drummond gave her a single, slow nod.

“This is an official inquiry, Mrs. Rogers,” Drummond said.

Helen’s mouth opened, but no sound came out.

She looked at Michael, hoping for support.

But Michael had stepped back.

He looked at me, his eyes wide with a sudden, devastating understanding.

“You did that mission,” Michael said to me. “The one in the jungle. The one where the transport went down.”

“Yes,” I said.

“I thought…” Michael swallowed hard. “Mother told me the paperwork was just a formality. She said my unit was the primary.”

“Your unit was forty miles away, Michael,” Hayes said gently.

Michael looked at the stage.

The announcer’s voice suddenly crackled over the PA system.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The evening’s presentations will now begin.”

The lights in the ballroom dimmed slightly.