“That sets off an immediate administrative suspension, a court-martial inquiry, and the loss of your standing as an officer.”

“I’ve got four hundred thousand dollars’ worth of financial fraud records to put in front of Judge Margaret Reynolds,” I said.

“I understand your personal situation, Madison,” Holt said, his voice easing a little into professional concern.

“But if you miss that military muster, your credibility as a witness in state court disappears in an instant.”

“Can I report to the base briefing first and get temporary leave to go across town?” I asked.

“The mobilization briefing runs from zero eight hundred to zero eight forty-five,” Holt said.