Chapter 6 - The Inspection
Mercer scrambled to his feet and tried to turn embarrassment into authority. “You attacked a supervisor.”
“No,” I said. “You put hands on me twice.”
The formation remained silent.
He pointed at me. “You’re done here.”
A voice came from behind the soldiers.
“Actually, Sergeant, she’s not.”
Captain Dana Whitaker walked onto the course holding a clipboard and wearing the expression of an officer who had heard enough before arriving. Beside her stood a civilian safety inspector and a training NCO from another unit.
Mercer’s face tightened.
Captain Whitaker looked at the rope. “Secure the course.”
Two soldiers moved immediately. Not Mercer’s favorites. Not the laughing ones. Hanley and a corporal named Diaz stepped out first, then seemed surprised they had moved at all.
The inspector examined the rope, then the anchor point, then the residue along the upper line. His face changed from professional boredom to concern.
“This line has been tampered with,” he said.
Mercer scoffed. “That’s ridiculous.”
The inspector held up his gloved fingers. “Then you won’t mind explaining why the contact area was treated and the anchor was loosened.”
No one looked at me now.
They looked at Mercer.
That was the difference between accusation and evidence. Accusation asks people to believe you. Evidence makes them afraid not to.
Captain Whitaker turned toward me. “Cross, did you report concerns before the takedown?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Who heard?”
For a second, no one spoke.
Then Hanley raised her hand. “I did, ma’am.”
Diaz followed. “Me too.”
Another soldier. Then another.
May you like
Mercer’s mouth flattened.
His course had turned into a witness stand.
