Chapter 9
“He was stubborn. Careful. Difficult in the best possible way,” Colonel Mercer said.
Natalie gave a weak laugh before she could stop herself.
“That sounds like him.”
“He came to me before he died,” Mercer said. “He believed Ramsey was dangerous. He had reports, names, dates. Not enough witnesses. Not enough protection.”
Natalie stared at the folder.
“My mom said the Army closed the case.”
“They did.”
“Why?”
Mercer’s expression darkened.
“Because powerful men are very good at making ugly things look complicated.”
Natalie’s hands curled in her lap.
“So why now?”
Mercer opened the folder.
Inside were copies of old complaints, injury reports, photographs, witness notes, and one handwritten page Natalie recognized instantly.
Her father’s handwriting.
Her breath caught.
Mercer said, “Your mother found these in his storage unit three months ago. She gave them to me.”
“My mother knew I was being watched?”
“She asked me to keep you safe.”
Natalie closed her eyes.
All those calls where her mother begged her to quit.
All those nights when Natalie thought she was disappointing her.
Her mother had not been trying to stop her from becoming a soldier.
She had been terrified of losing her the same way she lost Andrew.
Mercer’s voice softened.
“When I saw Ramsey assigned to your cycle, I reopened the file quietly. The camera on that pole was upgraded last week.”
Natalie looked up.
“The MPs?”
“Pre-positioned.”
“You were behind the truck?”
“Yes.”
Natalie swallowed.
“So you were waiting for him to do it.”
Mercer did not look proud.
May you like
“I was waiting for him to reveal what he was.”
Read Part 10 to find out how Ramsey finally paid for the fear he had built around himself.
