Chapter 8
Military police appeared from near the barracks and the training vehicle.
Ramsey saw them and understood too late.
The colonel had not wandered onto the field.
She had been watching.
Mercer handed the photo back to Natalie.
Then she faced Ramsey.
“Staff Sergeant Cole Ramsey, you are relieved of training authority pending investigation for assault, abuse of rank, intimidation of witnesses, falsification of records, and conduct unbecoming.”
Ramsey stared at her.
“Ma’am, I have served this country for seventeen years.”
Mercer’s eyes hardened.
“And somewhere along the way, you confused service with ownership.”
The MPs stepped closer.
Ramsey’s fists clenched.
“You’re going to believe a recruit over me?”
Mercer looked toward the camera on the light pole.
“No,” she said. “I’m going to believe the evidence.”
For the first time since Natalie had met him, Ramsey had no comeback.
That night, Natalie sat in a medical office while a doctor documented the swelling on her cheek.
She stared down at the photo of her father.
A crease ran across the corner now.
A smear of dirt marked his sleeve.
She did not wipe it away.
Some marks were proof.
Colonel Mercer entered quietly and closed the door behind her.
“Private Brooks.”
Natalie stood.
“Ma’am.”
“At ease.”
Natalie sat again.
Mercer placed a sealed folder on the desk.
“I knew your father.”
Natalie’s throat tightened.
May you like
“You did?”
Read Part 9 to find out what Natalie’s father had left behind before the Army buried the truth.
