All Personnel, Salute Her!

Vivian Hart treated the banquet as if it had been organized in her honor.

She purchased a new cream-colored gown, borrowed a diamond bracelet and scheduled two appointments for her hair. She told everyone in her social circle that Natalie would be accompanying her.

Natalie had recently become a public-relations director for a defense contractor. She enjoyed implying that her position gave her access to powerful military leaders, though most of her work involved organizing events and writing press releases.

At lunch the day before the banquet, Vivian raised her coffee cup toward Natalie.

“This could be an important evening for you,” she said. “General Reed may attend. Senator Wallace may also be there.”

Natalie smiled. “I already know how to handle men like them.”

Vivian lowered her voice.

“Unfortunately, Claire received an invitation too.”

Natalie’s smile tightened.

“Why?”

“I have no idea. Perhaps they need more junior officers to fill the room.”

Claire was not a junior officer. She had recently been promoted to colonel, but Vivian had paid little attention when Claire mentioned it.

Natalie stirred her coffee.

“We should ask her about her call sign.”

Vivian laughed.

Years earlier, during one of Claire’s rare visits home, Natalie had discovered that military pilots and specialized teams often used call signs. She had repeatedly demanded to know Claire’s.

Claire had refused.

Natalie decided the refusal meant Claire did not have one.

At every family gathering afterward, she turned it into a joke.

“Maybe her call sign is Filing Cabinet.”

“Maybe it is Invisible.”

Vivian always laughed the loudest.

Now Natalie leaned across the table.

“Ask her in front of everyone. If she refuses, she will look ridiculous. If she invents something, we will know.”

Vivian smiled with satisfaction.

She believed she was teaching Claire humility.

Neither woman understood that certain names were not spoken casually.

Some names belonged to stories sealed inside secure archives.