Chapter 2 - Ten MinutesJackson and Miller saluted so quickly that the equipment on their belts rattled.
Maya did the same despite the burning ache across her cheek.
General Vance returned the salute.
“Drop it, Specialist.”
Maya lowered her hand.
“Yes, General.”
Vance’s eyes moved from Maya’s cheek to the patrol cap lying in the dust.
Without speaking, she bent down.
A five-star General bent down at the feet of a twenty-two-year-old Specialist.
The entire checkpoint watched.
Vance picked up the cap.
Brushed the dust away.
Then handed it back.
“Put your cover on.”
Maya’s fingers trembled as she took it.
“Yes, General.”
Only after Maya had replaced the cap did Vance turn toward Victoria.
Victoria looked physically smaller.
“General Vance,” she said quickly. “I had no idea you were coming so early.”
Vance said nothing.
“I’m Victoria Sterling. Colonel Richard Sterling’s wife.”
“I know.”
Victoria forced a smile.
“There has been a misunderstanding.”
Vance looked toward Maya’s cheek.
“Was there?”
Victoria’s mouth opened.
Maya saw the exact moment Victoria considered lying.
She thought better of it.
“This soldier was being extremely disrespectful.”
Vance looked at Maya.
“Were you?”
“No, General.”
Victoria stepped forward.
“She refused to follow my instructions.”
Vance turned back.
“You are a civilian.”
Victoria blinked.
“My husband—”
“Is a Colonel.”
The words were quiet.
“He wears his rank. You do not.”
No one moved.
Vance continued.
“Did you strike this soldier?”
Victoria’s face tightened.
“It was an emotional moment.”
“That is not what I asked.”
Victoria swallowed.
“Yes.”
Vance nodded once.
Then she looked toward Jackson and Miller.
“Were you about to remove Specialist Lin from this checkpoint?”
Jackson looked sick.
“Yes, General.”
“Why?”
“Mrs. Sterling ordered us to.”
“Does Mrs. Sterling command Military Police personnel?”
“No, General.”
“Then why were you obeying?”
Jackson’s eyes dropped.
Vance waited.
Finally, Jackson answered.
“She threatened our careers.”
Victoria snapped toward him.
“You spineless little—”
Vance raised one finger.
Victoria stopped speaking.
The silence that followed was worse than shouting.
General Vance turned toward Brody.
“Sergeant First Class.”
“Ma’am.”
“Contact the Provost Marshal.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Have a full escort sent here.”
Brody reached for his radio.
“And Sergeant?”
“Ma’am?”
“Tell Colonel Sterling he has ten minutes to report to this checkpoint.”
Victoria’s face changed.
Vance looked directly at her.
“You wanted to discuss protocol.”
A faint smile appeared.
“Your husband and I will discuss it together.”
Victoria said nothing.
The countdown began.
For the next several minutes, almost no one spoke.
Maya stood near the barricade, trying to calm the pulse pounding behind her eyes.
General Vance walked toward the black Suburban.
Maya expected her to leave the confrontation to the Provost Marshal.
Instead, Vance stopped beside Victoria’s Mercedes.
Her gaze moved over the car.
Luxury sedan.
Temporary base access permit.
VIP windshield placard.
Then she paused.
Her expression changed.
Only slightly.
Maya almost missed it.
Vance leaned toward the passenger side.
The rear window was partially lowered.
Inside sat several shopping bags, a leather purse, a garment bag, and a small black case.
Nothing unusual.
Except General Vance stared at the black case for several seconds.
Brody noticed.
He walked over.
Neither spoke.
Victoria followed their gaze.
“That’s private property.”
Vance looked at her.
“I did not ask.”
Victoria folded her arms.
Maya watched Brody carefully.
He had become suddenly alert.
Not angry.
Alert.
His eyes moved toward Vance.
Vance gave the smallest shake of her head.
Do nothing.
Not yet.
Sirens appeared faintly in the distance.
Victoria heard them too.
Her confidence continued to dissolve.
Then another vehicle approached from the opposite road.
A government sedan.
It stopped beyond the barricade.
The rear door opened.
Colonel Richard Sterling stepped out.
He was tall, silver-haired, and immaculate.
Even in field uniform, he looked as though someone had ironed every crease immediately before he arrived.
He walked quickly toward the checkpoint.
He saw his wife.
Then Maya.
Then General Vance.
His pace slowed.
For the first time, something almost resembling fear crossed Richard Sterling’s face.
It disappeared instantly.
He saluted.
“General.”
Vance returned it.
“Colonel.”
Richard looked at Victoria.
“What happened?”
Vance answered before she could.
“Your wife struck a soldier.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“Victoria?”
“She also ordered Military Police personnel to arrest that soldier for enforcing a base command directive.”
Richard looked toward Maya.
His eyes were calm.
Too calm.
“Specialist?”
“Sir.”
“Were you disrespectful toward my wife?”
Vance’s head turned slowly.
Maya hesitated.
“No, sir.”
Richard looked back at Vance.
“There must be context.”
“Interesting.”
Vance stepped closer.
“I watched most of it.”
Richard’s expression froze.
Victoria stared at her.
“You watched?”
Vance nodded.
“My vehicle reached the corner before Sergeant Brody drove into view.”
Maya felt a chill despite the heat.
General Vance had witnessed more than anyone realized.
Richard recalculated immediately.
“Then, General, I apologize for my wife’s behavior.”
Victoria turned sharply.
“Richard—”
“Enough.”
It was the first time he had spoken harshly to her.
She went silent.
Richard continued.
“I will personally ensure appropriate corrective action.”
Vance looked almost amused.
“You believe this is your matter to correct?”
Richard’s face tightened.
“No, General.”
“Good.”
The Provost Marshal vehicles arrived.
Four Military Police officers stepped out.
Their commander, Major Olivia Grant, walked directly toward Vance.
“General.”
“Major.”
Vance gestured toward Victoria.
“Mrs. Sterling is to remain here pending formal statements.”
Victoria stared.
“You’re detaining me?”
Grant answered calmly.
“You are being asked not to leave.”
“I’m a civilian.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“My husband commands this brigade.”
Major Grant looked briefly toward Richard.
Then back at Victoria.
“Not this checkpoint.”
Something changed in Richard Sterling’s eyes.
Maya saw it.
Again, it was only an instant.
But this time it was not embarrassment.
It was calculation.
Vance saw it too.
She turned toward him.
“Colonel, how many times has your wife crossed controlled airfield checkpoints in the past sixty days?”
Richard blinked.
“I don’t know.”
Victoria looked confused.
Vance continued.
“Estimate.”
“I couldn’t possibly.”
“Interesting.”
Richard’s shoulders stiffened.
“General, with respect, what does that have to do with today?”
Vance looked toward the Mercedes.
“Perhaps nothing.”
May you like
She paused.
“Perhaps everything.”
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