Chapter 9 - After the Storm
Two hours later, the chapel had cleared, and the mourners had slowly dispersed into the gray afternoon. The rain had finally stopped, leaving the ground wet and the air smelling of fresh pine and damp earth.
I stood alone by the grave site, watching the cemetery workers slowly lower my grandfather's casket into the earth. The American flag that had draped his casket was now folded into a perfect, tight triangle, resting securely in my arms.
"You did well, Colonel," a deep voice said from behind me.
I turned to see General Cross walking up the grassy hill, his hands clasped behind his back. The storm had cleared, and a faint sliver of sunlight was beginning to break through the clouds, lighting up the rows of marble headstones.
"Thank you, General," I said, offering a tired smile. "Thank you for coming. I know you had to pull a lot of strings to make this happen."
"Your grandfather was a good friend, Avery," Cross said, looking down at the grave. "And you are one of my best officers. When your message came through, I wasn't about to let some greedy civilian drag his name through the mud."
He paused, looking at me with a rare, gentle expression.
"What are you going to do about the estate?" he asked.
"I’m going to fulfill his real wishes," I replied, looking down at the folded flag in my arms. "The house will be sold, and the proceeds will go to a foundation for veteran families. His military archives will be donated to the Army War College, just like he wanted before Brooke got to him."
"And your sister?"
"She'll have to face the court," I said quietly. "I won't interfere. She made her choice, and now she has to live with the consequences."
General Cross nodded, satisfied with the answer. He reached out and patted my shoulder—a rare gesture of warmth from the stoic commander.
"Your leave is approved for another two weeks, Colonel," he said. "Take some time. Heal. When you're ready, we have a new operation waiting for you in Berlin."
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"I'll be ready, General," I said, standing straight.
He offered me one final, respectful nod before turning and walking back down the hill toward his waiting SUV. I watched him go, feeling a deep sense of peace wash over me for the first time in five years.
