PART 7
Maddox’s jaw worked.
“Ma’am, with respect—”
“You lost the privilege of that phrase when you raised your hand to a soldier under your care.”
Military police were already walking onto the field.
Emily saw them then.
Two near the barracks.
One by the vehicle.
One beside the training office.
This was not an accident.
Colonel Hale had not just happened to be behind the truck.
She had been waiting.
Maddox saw it too.
His eyes darted from the MPs to Emily.
“You planned this,” he said.
Emily finally looked him in the eye.
“No,” she said. “You did.”
Hale handed the photo back to Emily.
Then she turned to Maddox.
“Ryan Maddox, you are relieved of training authority effective immediately pending investigation for assault, abuse of position, falsification of performance reports, intimidation of witnesses, and conduct unbecoming.”
Maddox looked like he had been punched.
“Ma’am, this is insane. I have served this country for eighteen years.”
Hale stepped closer.
“And Sergeant First Class Aaron Carter served for twenty.”
May you like
Emily’s heart stopped.
Maddox went still.
