Jessica understood the question in her face.
Why not let it go?
Jessica answered before her mother asked.
“Because someone else might be next.”
Patricia nodded slowly.
The colonel heard.
“So you told him.”
Jessica looked at him.
“He asked.”
Bennett’s mouth tightened into something almost resembling a sad smile.
“He still doesn’t understand, does he?”
“Maybe later.”
“Maybe.”
The colonel turned to leave.
Then stopped.
“Major.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Your discretion earlier was noted.”
Jessica’s expression hardened slightly.
“I wasn’t protecting him.”
“I know.”
“I was giving him room to stop.”
“I know that too.”
She relaxed.
Bennett nodded toward Patricia.
“Ma’am.”
Patricia nodded back.
“Colonel.”
He walked away.
Patricia waited until he was gone.
“Are people always this formal around you?”
Jessica smiled faintly.
“Usually worse.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It is.”
Patricia looked at the cap beneath Jessica’s arm.
“So that little thing caused all this?”
