Nothing more.
After the meeting, Carter waited near the door.
“Ma’am.”
“Corporal.”
He looked older than he had at Gate C27.
Not physically.
Less certain of himself in a useful way.
“I did not know you would be here.”
“I did.”
His eyebrows rose.
“Your name was on the roster.”
He swallowed.
“I appreciate you not—”
“Not what?”
“Not deciding who I was forever based on the airport.”
I considered that.
“I did decide who you were at the airport.”
His face fell slightly.
“You were a young Marine acting disrespectfully.”
I continued.
“That was true. It does not have to remain the only true thing about you.”
He nodded slowly.
“Understood.”
Mason Reid came over a moment later.
He had been promoted too.
“Ma’am,” he said, “I owe you an apology.”
“You already gave your witness statement.”
“For laughing.”
I waited.
He looked at Carter.
