chest tightened until it ached. He should pay the old man a visit soon. “It’s late. I should probably let you get to bed.”
“Don’t even try it. This is a momentous occasion. I actually got you on the phone. You think I’m just going to let you say goodbye in two seconds? Besides, isn’t there something you want to tell me?”
Doug sighed, loud enough for his dad to hear. Of course he’d make him say it. “Happy birthday.”
“You want to make it happy? You show up at my birthday party on Saturday. You wear a tux. You smile. You tell me that you’re letting this whole business go.” His voice broke. “I want to see you get on with your life, Douglas. Find a woman. Get married, and make me a grandfather already. I’m getting old.”
Before the general was finished, Doug was already shaking his head. “I would if I could, but I can’t. Not until I find out who killed Ben.”
“It’s not just me. You know it’s what your mother would have wanted.”
“Oh, sure.” Doug sighed. “Bring up Mom and how she’d be so disappointed in my behavior.” His dad did it because it worked. Doug would never have willingly disappointed his mother.
The general huffed. “Always were too hard on yourself.”
“This isn’t just about me.”
“I get it, son. I do.” Fatigue clouded the old man’s voice. “You want justice for your friend so your team can go on.”
“And for his sister.”
“You want to protect her.”
“She’s strong, but she still seems so...fragile.”
There was quiet for a moment and then the general asked, “Is she pretty?”
“Dad.”
“Fine, fine. You do what you need to do, son. But when you’re done, you come see me, you hear?” The general waited a beat. “I miss you.”
Doug pressed End and lowered the phone. “I miss you, too.”
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