Chapter 2 - The Family Secret
Caroline had never told her family everything about her career.
That was intentional.
Over the years, Margaret had received enough information to believe Caroline worked for the Army.
Laura believed she had spent most of her career behind a desk.
Travis believed she had been an ordinary officer who had somehow survived by staying quiet.
Nobody knew about the meetings.
Nobody knew about the classified briefings.
Nobody knew about the rooms where generals sat in silence while Caroline spoke.
Nobody knew why foreign ambassadors sometimes waited hours for a meeting that lasted only minutes.
And nobody in the Hayes family knew why Caroline had disappeared for months at a time.
She had never corrected them.
That had become easier than explaining.
When Caroline returned to the cookout, Margaret immediately confronted her.
"You embarrassed me again."
Caroline blinked.
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to."
Margaret lowered her voice.
"Everyone can see how strange you are."
Caroline looked at her mother.
"I came here because you invited me."
"Then act like a member of this family."
Caroline's expression remained calm.
"I am."
Margaret shook her head.
"You always think you're above everyone."
Caroline almost laughed.
Instead she asked, "Is that what you really think?"
Margaret hesitated.
Then she looked away.
"I think you make everything difficult."
Caroline nodded slowly.
"Maybe."
She walked toward the side gate.
Margaret called after her.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"You're leaving?"
"I have something to do."
Travis stepped between them.
"No, you're staying."
Caroline looked at him.
"Move."
"Why?"
"Because I asked."
Travis smiled.
"You're not ordering me around."
"No."
Caroline's eyes hardened.
"I'm asking you once."
Something about her voice made Travis hesitate.
But pride won.
He stepped closer.
"You really think you're special, don't you?"
Caroline looked at him for several seconds.
Then she said something that Travis didn't understand.
"You have no idea."
He laughed.
Neither of them noticed Margaret looking toward the street.
May you like
A black SUV had just passed the house.
Then another.
