Chapter 6 - WHY JACE NEEDED THE NUMBERS
The missing grant money had not disappeared into an offshore account or a luxury car.
The truth was smaller and more believable.
Jace wanted the store to become a destination for high-end precision competitions. He believed disabled-access sessions used lane time without attracting profitable customers.
So he redirected the adaptive program’s staffing budget toward new competition fixtures, showroom lighting and promotional events.
The equipment remained boxed because assembling it would require training staff and reserving range hours.
Jace solved that problem with paperwork.
He entered false appointments.
Copied signatures.
Submitted photographs from one legitimate demonstration repeatedly under different dates.
He told Nora the adaptive program was running quietly during weekday mornings when she was at medical appointments.
Because the reports were accepted and the numbers looked strong, the next funding installment arrived.
Jace did not see himself as stealing from disabled veterans.
He said he was “building the business first” so the store could offer better services later.
That is how people often explain exploitation when they cannot deny the records.
Temporary.
Necessary.
For everyone’s benefit eventually.
Nora listened without interrupting.
Then she asked him why he had mocked me in front of the store.
Jace rubbed one hand across his face.
“I thought she was trying to prove something.”
“I was requesting a product,” I said.
“You came here to test me.”
“I came here to test the store. You decided what kind of customer I was before I finished speaking.”
He looked at the tight group on the returned target.
“You made me look stupid.”
“No. The shot group revealed that your assumption was wrong. What made you look cruel was everything you said before it.”
The distinction mattered.
Skill did not make me deserving of respect.
I should not have needed military service, medals or a tight group on paper to earn basic dignity.
A disabled beginner deserved the same respectful evaluation.
So did a person who ultimately could not use a particular rifle safely.
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The store had failed before I ever entered the range.
It failed when Jace decided humiliation was an acceptable substitute for assessment.
