Chapter 6
Cole’s face drained completely.
“You’re CID?” he said.
I didn’t answer.
That was answer enough.
The MP guided him forward, but Colonel Hartwell raised one hand.
“Not yet.”
The Colonel turned to the cafeteria.
“Anyone who witnessed this incident will remain available for a statement,” he said. “Anyone with information regarding Lieutenant Cole’s conduct will be provided a protected channel by noon.”
No one would report through Cole’s chain.
No one would be punished for telling the truth.
A silence followed.
Then a chair scraped.
Corporal Leah Mercer stood near the back of the room.
Her face was pale.
But her chin was lifted.
“I have information, sir.”
Cole whipped his head toward her.
“You little—”
The MP tightened his grip.
“Finish that sentence,” Colonel Hartwell said softly, “and you will regret it before lunch.”
Cole shut his mouth.
Leah’s voice trembled, but she kept going.
“He threatened me after I reported the range logs.”
A second soldier stood.
“Sir, he made Private Gaines run drills after medical restricted him.”
Then another.
“He told us to sign safety checks we didn’t complete.”
Then another.
“He said if we complained, he’d bury us.”
The cafeteria filled with truth.
Not shouting.
Not chaos.
Truth.
One voice after another.
Soldiers who had been afraid five minutes earlier now stood like the floor had returned beneath their feet.
Cole looked smaller with every statement.
May you like
The rank on his chest had not changed.
But the power around it had evaporated.
