Chapter 1 - Let Me See Those Orders
Lieutenant Ryan Cole’s palm struck Emma Hayes across the face.
The crack echoed along the Virginia firing line.
Emma’s head turned with the blow. A small line of blood appeared at the corner of her mouth, but she did not lose her footing.
Three dozen Navy SEALs stood around the weapons tables beneath the hard midday sun.
Nobody moved.
A brass casing rolled across the concrete and clicked against the edge of an open rifle case.
Ryan leaned over Emma.
“Touch another military weapon and I’ll have you dragged out in cuffs.”
Emma kept one hand around the repaired strap of her canvas shoulder bag.
“I was called here.”
Ryan pointed toward the security gate.
“You wandered onto an active military range.”
“I checked in.”
“You are a civilian standing beside restricted equipment.”
Emma slowly turned her eyes back to him.
“I am not a civilian.”
A few nervous laughs moved through the line.
Ryan grabbed the rifle from the case and pulled it away, allowing the muzzle to drift carelessly across the table before forcing it downrange.
Emma watched his hands.
“Poor muzzle discipline, Lieutenant.”
The laughter vanished.
Her sealed envelope slipped halfway from the canvas bag.
Instructor Walker saw the government markings beneath the blurred outer fold.
His face drained.
He crossed the concrete quickly.
“Lieutenant, take your hands off her and let me see those orders.”
Ryan turned.
For the first time, uncertainty entered his expression.
Emma remained completely still.
May you like
The question was no longer how a quiet woman had entered the range.
It was why someone above Ryan’s command had sent her there without warning him.
