PART 9
“We served together at Fort Bragg,” Hale said. “He was one of the most stubborn men I ever met.”
Emily almost smiled through the ache in her face.
“That sounds like him.”
“He came to me before he died,” Hale said. “He believed Maddox was dangerous. He had evidence, but not enough witnesses. After the accident, the file disappeared.”
Emily looked up.
“Then how did you know?”
Hale pulled a folded envelope from inside her jacket.
“Because your father made copies.”
Emily stared at it.
Her hands began to tremble.
Hale placed the envelope on the desk.
“He sent one to me. Another to a military attorney. Another to your mother. Your mother gave hers to me two months ago.”
“My mom knew?”
“She wanted to protect you.”
Emily closed her eyes.
All those years of her mother begging her not to join.
All those arguments.
All those tears.
She had thought her mother didn’t understand.
But her mother understood too well.
Hale’s voice softened.
“When your name appeared on the training roster under Maddox’s command, we started watching.”
Emily opened her eyes.
“The camera?”
“Active.”
“The MPs?”
“Pre-positioned.”
“You were behind the vehicle?”
“Yes.”
Emily breathed out slowly.
“So I was bait.”
May you like
Hale did not deny it.
“You were also brave enough to stand where others had been silenced.”
