She wore dark glasses and held her purse against her chest like a shield she did not need.

“Sergeant Conroy.

I need two priority access tags for the weekend.”

I set the sack in the trunk.

“Priority tags require a written request from the sponsor’s commander, ma’am.”

“My husband is the sponsor.”

“Then Colonel Harmon can sign the request.”

Vivian twisted the thin gold chain around her left wrist.