“He also told me you pulled your transfer application,” Arthur said, nudging his glasses up his nose to study my face.

“It was the only way to keep my emergency leave good through the hearing date,” I said.

“That transfer would have put you in line for commander next year,” Arthur said.

“You threw away a four-year career path for a fourteen-year-old boy who doesn’t even know how bad this money mess really is.”

“He’s my brother,” I said.

Arthur looked down at the accordion folder, touched the brass clasp with his thumb, and undid it with a dry click.

“If you carry these forensic ledgers into state probate court without full military command clearance on the record, Collins will object on jurisdictional grounds,” Arthur said.