Arthur’s answer:
“She’s my daughter before she is anything else in this room.”
That sentence would have once sounded almost tender.
It wasn’t.
He meant family could override process.
If I was daughter first, perhaps I could be persuaded.
Reminded.
Pressured.
Made to understand what was “at stake.”
Vance asked:
“You made your choice?”
“Yes.”
“Which?”
“Independent reviewer.”
Daniel did not move.
“Once transferred, you cannot direct the review.”
“I know.”
“You cannot advise the replacement officer.”