“The system is probably partway through an update.”

Brandt hitched his belt up again.

He looked at my sweater, then over at Glenn in the passenger seat.

“Ma’am, the system says this card belongs to a flag officer,” Brandt said.

“You’re not getting onto this installation with some made-up story.”

Glenn let out a loud bark of a laugh.

He leaned over the console.

“She’s been making up stories all her life, son,” Glenn said.