“Is there a problem?”
Daniel swallowed.
“No, sir.”
Then the general’s eyes shifted to Lauren.
Something changed.
“Ms. Cross?”
Lauren froze.
“You two know each other?” Daniel asked.
General Rhodes did not answer him.
Instead he looked directly at Lauren.
“Lauren Cross. Lawson Strategic Solutions?”
Her face went pale.
“Yes, sir.”
Daniel frowned.
“What?”
General Rhodes slowly looked at him.
“Lawson Strategic Solutions is currently bidding as a subcontractor on a federal logistics modernization project.”
Daniel’s confidence disappeared.
General Rhodes continued.
“My command is responsible for oversight integrity on that procurement.”
Silence.
I looked at Daniel.
Then Lauren.
Then at the ring.
And for the first time, I saw fear in both of them.
Not embarrassment.
Fear.
General Rhodes noticed.
“Colonel Bennett,” he said carefully, “are you financially involved with Lawson Strategic Solutions?”
“No.”
“Have you ever advised the company?”
“No.”
“Authorized the company to use your military title?”
