1309 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Commander Sturgis Turner enters the office after being summoned by Major General Gordon M. Cresswell. He stands before his superior.
"I just got a report from Leavenworth concerning your client Roy Grant," says the general.
"What is it?" asks the commander, who had been working on the appeal for Roy Grant's court-martial conviction.
"Roy Grant was found dead this morning as the guards were making rounds," says Cresswell. "They suspect homicide. Army CID is investigating."
"Is there anything else, sir?"
"There are some other cases to work on; I'll let you know at the 0930 staff briefing. Dismissed."
"Aye aye, sir."
Sturgis leaves the general's office. He knows why Roy Grant was killed in prison.
oooooooooooo
1935 ZULU
STARBUCKS COFFEE
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
Cammie Cresswell waits at the counter at her new job in a Starbucks coffee shop in Arlington, Virginia, not fat from the Pentagon. She had just gotten this job on Monday, after leaving the Academy. Her medical discharge does not take effect until the end of the fall semester later this month; she was granted leave for the remainder of the semester until her medical discharge was processed.
The coffee shop is not crowded at this time; there are only a few people sitting at the wooden tables. Most of her customers simply had their drinks to go.
The glass door opens, and she sees Midshipman First Class Mike Roberts enter.
"Mike," she says. "What may I get for you?"
"I'll have a cappucino," says Mike.
"Okay," says Cammie, getting the capuccino from the machine.
"Your dad told me you'd be working here now."
"What are you doing here? Don't you have to be at school?"
"I have weekday liberty today. I wanted to see how you're doing, what you're gonna do."
"I'm applying to some technical colleges," says Cammie. "At least I'll be able to transfer my credits. I hope to start by next month." She gives the capuccino to Mike.
"That's great, Cammie."
"you know, I was just thinking. About us. I know the past few weeks were difficult. Can we start over?"
Mike holds her hands. "I'd like that."
Another custiomer comes in, an ordinary-looking man wearing a heavy black coat.
"I'd like a cafe mocca," he says.
"Right awat, sir," replies Cammie as she gets his drink.
"You know, it's too bad about Roy Grant."
"How do you know him?" Cammie asks her customer.
"Had a great future in the Navy; he was careless and threw it all away. All he got was a shiv shoved into his heart."
"What do you mean?"
"Listen, Cresswell," says the man, putting a five-dollar- bill on the counter. "It's best if you put the past behind you. Just get on with your life."
Mike overhears the conversation and grabs the man's arm. "Who are you?" asks the midshipman.
"Nobody," replies the man, pulling his arm away.
The ordinary-looking man heads out the door. MIke heads out.
He sees a crowd ofm people walking along the sidewalks. He had lost sight of the man.