I adjusted my collar pin one last time and felt the cold brass settle against my neck.

“This uniform carries weight whether people choose to respect it or not,” I said.

Daniel studied me for three long seconds, checking his wristwatch once more before he nodded.

At seven o’clock, the wind sweeping along the terminal’s parking curb smelled of burnt rubber and cold morning air.

Daniel took the green vinyl travel binder out of his shoulder bag and passed it to me across the hood of our car.

“Page three,” Daniel said.