Chapter 3 - The Evaluator Who Did Not Look Away
Major Elena Ward had evaluated hundreds of military qualification tests.
She did not react easily.
But when Avery held up the overwritten lane number, Ward stopped entering data.
“Give me the strip.”
Raines stepped between them.
“The range commander has already ruled.”
Ward looked at him.
“I asked for the evidence.”
“It is contaminated.”
“You tore it apart.”
Raines’ face hardened.
Avery remained on one knee.
Miles stood behind her, breathing heavily but keeping his hands at his sides.
Ward extended her palm.
Avery placed the paper into it.
The original stamp read Lane Seven.
Avery had fired from Lane Four.
Ward examined the second half of the scorecard.
The target serial number did not match the one assigned to Avery’s rifle station.
Raines reached for the paper.
Ward moved it beyond his hand.
“Who assigned the targets?”
“The range staff.”
“Which staff member?”
Raines did not answer.
Six instructors behind the line exchanged nervous glances.
Ward saw them.
So did Avery.
This was no longer one officer disputing one shot.
May you like
The entire range crew appeared afraid of the question.
👉 The silence of the instructors revealed that Raines had not switched Avery’s score alone.
