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“Do you think that climbing the Golden Gate Bridge was a good idea?”
“Are you trying to prove something to command, or are you trying to prove it to yourself?”
“What, that I won’t back down?”
“I don’t know, Lana. You explain it to me.”
“These are serial arsons. Bryant won’t admit that and now I think he might be involved. How can I, in good conscience, not keep investigating on my own?”
“You’re supposed to be following orders.”
“I know that. I can’t let this go. It’s too important to ignore.”
“I’m not arguing with you. I just want to make sure you understand what’s going on. Going against Bryant won’t be easy and going against command will be even worse.”
“I know I have a lot at stake, but it’s still my call.”
Sean had to admit that it was her call and her business, but he cared about her so that made it his business, too. “I’ll always be there for you whenever you need me to be.”
“I know that.”
“Good, so don’t hesitate to ask me.”
“I won’t.”
* * *
Lana entered the testing center and took a desk. Other people filed in and took the remaining desks. There wasn’t anyone from her squad, which she was thankful for. She really didn’t want to face anyone right now. The test was something that was private, and she wanted to keep it that way until the list was posted.
By the time eight o’clock rolled around, there were three hundred people filling all available seats.
She’d studied for this, prepared for it and it was the next step in her life-long dream to become captain.
A feeling of being crowded, of being boxed in, moved in on Lana. She closed her eyes, taking a slow breath to keep from getting up and leaving the room. She was just feeling the pressure, she told herself.
But it lingered after she’d completed all the answers on the test. She headed over to the gym and put herself through a workout that had sweat pouring off her. But it didn’t release the pressure in her chest.
She was just opening the door when she heard a car pull up. When she turned around, she saw that it was her father. That trapped feeling intensified and she pushed the door open and dropped her gym bag on the floor.
She held the door and let her father in. He walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa. “Do you want some iced tea?” Lana asked.
“Sure.”
Lana went into the kitchen to pour two glasses. She walked back out to the living room and handed her father a glass.
“How was the test?”
The knot in her stomach tightened and a headache pressed against her forehead. “It was okay.”
He stared at her, and then he released a long breath and glanced around the room. He finally spoke, his tone wary. “Okay? Do you think you passed?”
Lana shrugged and took a sip of tea. She sat down on the sofa. “Yes. I think so. I knew the answers.”
“You don’t sound too happy about it.”
“I’m just tired, Dad. The test went okay.”
He looked down and the knot tightened to something painful. She should have put the book in her backpack.
