Chapter 6 - Dr. Cross
Colonel Adrian Vale was not a theatrical man. He did not need to raise his voice because everyone on FOB Granite had heard what happened when he lowered it. He walked down the first three steps, saw Elena gripping the railing, then looked at Hollis.
“That woman has theater-level clearance.”
The words struck harder than a reprimand.
Hollis went still.
Elena straightened carefully. Reed moved as if to help her, then stopped, unsure whether touching her would make the damage worse. Elena gave him one brief nod.
Vale turned to her. “Dr. Cross, are you injured?”
“No fracture,” she said. “Bruised shoulder. Lost seven minutes.”
Hollis blinked.
Not I’m fine.
Not I want an apology.
Lost seven minutes.
Vale’s face tightened. “Come with me.”
Hollis found his voice. “Sir, her ID was turned—”
“Did you call it in?”
Hollis hesitated.
Vale’s eyes sharpened. “Before pursuing her up my operations stairs, did you call in the clearance?”
“No, sir.”
“Did Corporal Reed advise you to call it in?”
Reed stared forward.
Hollis said nothing.
That was answer enough.
Elena adjusted the satchel strap across her shoulder. The bag had spilled partway open, revealing a blurred folder, sealed equipment case, and a small secure drive clipped inside protective foam.
Vale saw the drive.
“So the package is intact.”
“Yes, Colonel.”
“What package?” Hollis asked before he could stop himself.
Vale looked at him.
May you like
“The one that explains why two patrol routes have been compromised and which convoy will be hit next.”
The checkpoint fell into complete silence.
