Only slightly.
But Jessica saw it.
So did the staff sergeant.
The MP looked at the card again.
Then at Jessica.
Then back at the card.
His posture straightened.
Crawford noticed.
“What?”
The MP did not answer.
Crawford stepped closer.
“What does it say?”
Jessica said, “You wanted identification.”
He looked at her.
“Yes.”
“You have it.”
The MP sergeant handed the card back to Jessica.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
The way he said ma’am was different now.
Not casual respect.
Military recognition.
Crawford heard it.
His expression shifted.
“Sergeant?”
The MP sergeant glanced toward him.
“Sir.”
“What does it say?”
The sergeant hesitated.
Jessica slipped the card back into her pocket.
Crawford’s face reddened again.
“Tell me.”
The sergeant answered carefully.
“She is active-duty military, sir.”
A ripple moved through the crowd.
Crawford laughed once.
Too sharply.
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
Jessica tucked the card away.
