162. Military

General Lambert identified himself in front of the beard guy and the young cop.

"We take it from here." He declared.

The young one was indignant; he protested loudly,

"She is a suspected murderer; what does the military have to do with it?!"

General Lambert chuckled at the youth's vigor,

"Paige Smith is an important witness in a military case. Any investigations about the case of Clarice Moore fall within our range of responsibility."

He turned to Lance,

"You can take that gun down now." 

Lance mechanically lowered the gun, putting it back on his back, before turning around and looking at Paige.

He leaned down, cupped her face and looked into her eyes, forming the words,

"I'm sorry, I love you." Repeatedly with his lips. He couldn't get his voice out, but he wanted to make sure she knew.

Paige was startled by the intensity of his look. She knew the SM was surfacing again.