He Smirked, Called Me “The Family’s IT Girl,”

a civilian with a bad tie and a South Carolina accent who slid a manila folder to me and said, “How are you with pressure, Captain?”

Bad question.

Nobody says, “Great, thanks.” Not honestly.

I said, “Depends who’s bleeding.”

He stared at me, then made a note. That’s how it started.

Years after that, after promotions I couldn’t discuss and funerals I couldn’t continue reading …