Two uniformed Army officers exited the second vehicle.
One colonel.
One command sergeant major.
Both stopped.
The lieutenant general walked across lawn.
Not hurried.
Every step deliberate.
Hale finally turned.
He saw the uniform.
The stars.
The aides.
The SUV.
His grip loosened automatically.
The general’s eyes dropped to his hand on Walter’s arm.
Then toward Evelyn.
Then to the old military credential lying in grass.
Then back to Hale.
“Take your hands off him.”
Hale released immediately.
Nobody spoke.
Walter rubbed his shoulder.
The general stopped three feet away.
“Dad.”
Hale’s face emptied.
Dana looked at Walter.
Then general.
Then back.
Evelyn sighed.
“Took you long enough.”
The general’s expression broke for half a second.
“Traffic.”
Walter muttered:
“You have helicopters.”
“Dad.”
He almost smiled.
The officer did not.
Hale looked like somebody had removed the floor beneath him.
“Dad?”
The general turned toward him.
“Lieutenant General Alicia Brooks.”
She did not offer her hand.
“United States Army.”
Hale swallowed.
“General, I—”
Alicia held up one hand.
“No.”
He stopped.
She looked toward Dana.
“Is either body camera recording?”
Dana nodded.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Alicia looked at Hale.
“Yours?”
“Yes.”
“Keep it on.”
His hand moved instinctively toward it.
“Do not touch it.”
He froze.
Walter looked at his daughter.
“Alicia.”
She looked.
“No.”
“Alicia.”
“Dad, please don’t tell me to calm down.”
“I wasn’t.”
“What?”
“You’re standing on your mother’s flowers.”
Alicia looked down.
She had crushed one petunia.
Evelyn pointed.
“That one was coming back.”
The absurdity broke tension for one second.
Dana looked away to hide a smile.
Alicia stepped carefully onto driveway.
Then looked at Walter.
“Are you hurt?”
“Bruised.”
“Shoulder?”
“Sore.”
“Hip?”
“Old.”
Walter smiled faintly.
“I’m fine.”
Evelyn said:
“He hit ground.”
Alicia’s face changed again.
Walter shot wife look.
Evelyn ignored.
“He threw his father’s old case in grass too.”
“That was mine.”
“I know.”
Alicia looked toward black leather case.
The Army command sergeant major accompanying her walked over.
Picked it up carefully.
Brushed grass from surface.
He opened.
Saw photograph.
His face changed.
“Sir.”
Walter shook head.
“Don’t.”