He dialed quietly, speaking only a few words, before settling back into his chair, gaze steady at the window.

Minutes dragged. The biker lingered, waiting for fear, for surrender  but the veteran gave none.

Then the door slammed open once more. A tall man strode in, gray hair framing a face etched by years. His long leather coat brushed his boots with each step.

Without hesitation, he approached the biker, flipped open a wallet. A sergeant major’s badge gleamed under the fluorescent lights.