They want to sit in the audience and pretend they raised an elite officer.”

Rachel leaned forward and put her hands on her knees.

Her voice was quiet, but it held absolute medical authority.

“Do you want me to speak to the base commander?” she asked.

“We can have them stopped at the main gate.”

I tightened my grip on the plastic handle of the lint roller.

I thought about the hospital lobby window.

I thought about Linda walking away without touching my shoulder.