Colonel Garret held open the door for Director Misrabi, who entered the clothing shop like a single mom coming to pick up her child from daycare.  The store was a pair of old analog registers on shelves with their back to the store.  The walls were lined with mismatched shelves that were mostly empty and folding tables that we half-covered with sparse clothing selections. 

               Leva Dorm turned around from the rear-most table, Elsa leaning against the table with her.  As soon as she saw the Colonel, Elsa stood up and snapped a salute.  “Sir!” 

               “Sargeant Elsa Lorrens, this is Director of National Intelligence Diana Misrabi,” said the Colonel.  “And this is Leva Dorm.”  Leva looked between the two people she didn’t know, but smiled as best she could.  “Sargeant Lorrens is a liaison officer with the Marine Corps.  But we don’t hold that against her,” Garret said with a sarcastic whisper. 

               “You’re too kind, sir,” Elsa smirked. 

               “It’s very nice to meet you both,” said the director.  She smiled honestly enough, but followed it by asking Elsa, “Would you mind giving us a few moments to speak with Ms. Dorm?” 

               There was a very palpable sense of tension as Elsa resisted checking with Leva first.  “Of course, ma’am,” she said.  She nodded to Garret, then stole a single, subtle glance back at Leva.  Leva watched her leave, noting she never looked back except as she turned after exiting the door. 

               Left alone in the store with Garret and the Director, Leva asked, “I’m guessing this isn’t about buying some jeans.” 

               Director Misrabi smiled but shook her head.  “Ma’am, I’ll come right to the point: it is my understanding that you claim that your name is Leva Dorm,” she said, enunciating the name very carefully.  “This is a very uncommon name, shared with only one other person on record.  A person who was…”  The director hesitated for only a split second.  “A person who was considered a national security risk prior to the nuclear attack.” 

               Leva didn’t know how to respond so she opted not to.  Director Misrabi continued.  “I’ve been sent to – among other tasks – ascertain whether or not you are the same Leva Dorm.” 

               “And if I am?” Leva asked. 

               The Director did not hesitate in telling her honestly, “If you are, then that complicates matters considerably.” 

               Leva looked down and swallowed, trying not to panic.  She looked at Garret who remained stern, though not unsympathetic.  “Why’d they send you?  Are you some kind of, of Leva Dorm expert?” 

               For the first time, Director Misrabi betrayed some uncertainty.  “I…”  She glanced back at Garret who clearly didn’t know what to suggest.  “I suppose it’s because I’m expendable.” 

               Leva did a double-take.  “Say what?” 

               Misrabi nodded, like she was equally unsettled, though not surprised.  “The Leva Dorm we’re all familiar with was an unapologetic killer.”