Chapter 6 - The Man in the Sedan
The sedan stopped outside the house.
Nobody emerged immediately.
The security team positioned themselves between the vehicle and Caroline.
Travis finally understood that whatever was happening had nothing to do with a family argument.
He looked at the cuffs.
Then at Caroline.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
She gave him a tired look.
"Would you have believed me?"
He had no answer.
The driver's door opened.
An older man stepped out.
Gray hair.
Dark suit.
No visible weapon.
No insignia.
He looked toward Caroline.
She looked back.
The man's face softened.
"General."
Every member of the security detail straightened.
Travis went completely still.
Laura whispered, "General?"
Margaret shook her head.
"No."
The man walked closer.
"Ma'am, we need to leave."
Caroline looked toward her family.
"No."
The man hesitated.
"General, this situation has changed."
"I said no."
He looked at Travis.
Then at the handcuffs.
His jaw tightened.
Caroline noticed.
"Don't."
"But—"
"Don't."
The man nodded.
Then he turned to Travis.
"You have no idea what you've done."
Travis swallowed.
"Who is she?"
The man looked at Caroline.
She gave him a warning glance.
He stopped.
"That's not my story to tell."
Caroline turned toward the house.
"Everyone inside."
Margaret suddenly stepped forward.
"Caroline."
She stopped.
Her mother stared at her.
"Are you really a general?"
Caroline said nothing.
Margaret's face changed.
Memories began rearranging themselves.
The unexplained absences.
The sudden calls.
The officials who had once arrived at the house and left without explanation.
The medals Margaret had never been allowed to ask about.
The photographs Caroline had refused to display.
Margaret whispered:
"What have you done?"
May you like
Caroline looked at her.
"What I was trained to do."
