“Yes?”
“Don’t make the story about JSOC.”
Bennett paused.
“Why?”
“Because that’s not why he was wrong.”
Another pause.
Then Bennett understood.
“If you had been anybody else, he still should have stopped.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll make sure the reporting reflects that.”
“Thank you.”
“Major.”
“Yes?”
“I know you probably don’t want to hear this.”
Jessica sighed.
“Then I probably don’t.”
Bennett chuckled once.
“Still saying it.”
“Go ahead.”
“You handled yourself well.”
Jessica looked at her mother through the diner window.
Patricia had found pie.
She was pointing enthusiastically at a display case.
Jessica smiled.
“I’ve had practice.”
Bennett went quiet.
“Yes,” he said.
“I imagine you have.”
The call ended.
Jessica entered the diner.
Patricia looked at her.
“Well?”
“He’s been removed from duty pending investigation.”
Her mother nodded.
“Good.”
Jessica slid into the booth.
“You don’t sound conflicted.”
“I’m your mother.”
