General Hayes had signed my Silver Star citation in Washington six weeks earlier, but no one at this table knew about the letter in my briefcase.

Ashley’s phone gave a double chime on the tablecloth.

“Twelve comments so far,” Ashley said, tipping her phone up to film my face again.

At two fifteen Daniel waved me over from the dark wooden archway that led to the side hallway.

I got up from the lunch table, stepped around the catering tray stand, and walked into the quiet hallway by the coat rack.

Daniel stepped in front of me, blocking the way to the exit door.