A businessman nearby lowered his laptop screen all the way down to his knees.

Clara Higgins went still in her seat, her blue notepad pressed tight to her chest.

The color left Evan’s face, the cocky flush in his cheeks gone in an instant.

“I asked you a question, Lieutenant Colonel,” General Vance said again, his voice perfectly calm and icy.

“No, sir,” I said, rising smoothly to my feet and straightening my collar with my right thumb.

“Just an unannounced conduct check.”