My mother-in-law shaved my head while I slept on the very night the United States Army promoted me into one of the most important commands of my career.

“I didn’t know she was going to do that,” he whispered.

“But you let her.”

“I was angry.”

“You were afraid.”

His jaw tightened.

There. The small vanity survived.

“Afraid of what?” I asked. “My promotion? My command? My name on a door?”

His face twisted. “You changed.”

“No,” I said. “You noticed.”

For a second, his eyes filled with hatred so naked that even Agent Price shifted her stance. Then the look vanished behind panic.