Chapter One — The Salute
For a moment, the beach forgot how to breathe.
Jessica’s smile died slowly. My father’s glass lowered in his hand. The young officers straightened as if a wire had been pulled through their spines.
I stared at the admiral, unable to move.
No one had called me Lieutenant in five years.
Not my family. Not the doctors. Not even me.
The admiral held the salute until my shaking hand rose by instinct. My fingers touched my brow, clumsy but correct.
Only then did he lower his hand.
“I’m Admiral Thomas Kincaid,” he said, though I knew that already. Everyone in my old command knew that name. “I owe you an apology, Lieutenant.”
My throat closed.
Jessica laughed nervously. “I’m sorry, Admiral, there must be some mistake. Elena didn’t exactly leave with honors.”
The admiral turned his head toward her.
The temperature seemed to drop.
“I would choose your next words carefully.”
Jessica’s face went red. “I just meant—”
“I know exactly what you meant.”
My father finally stepped forward, voice tight. “Admiral, I’m Colonel Reed, retired. Elena is my daughter. Perhaps this is a private matter.”
Kincaid’s eyes moved to him.
“Then you may want to listen closely.”
