“Nothing but foolish pride.”

“Thank you for being honest, Corporal,” I said.

“Step back out into the hallway.”

“Understood, Lieutenant Colonel.” Mason saluted, spun on his heel, and left the desk area.

The liaison office went completely quiet again, apart from the steady rumble of jet engines on the tarmac outside.

General Vance moved closer to the desk, his gray eyebrows drawn together as he looked down at the two folders.

“Reid did his job,” Vance said.