Chapter 10 - The Price of a Quiet Life
Dr. Chen checked Viper again and wrote the words "medically stable, no observed unprovoked aggression" in her signed report. She handed copies to Ortiz and Brooks.
"He has old healing marks around his neck," she said. "I can't prove how he got them. But somebody used restraint that left damage. This dog needs care, not punishment."
Marcus crouched beside Viper. "I spent years wondering if I failed you."
The Shepherd laid one heavy paw on his wrist. Marcus laughed, but it broke in the middle.
His phone rang. It was his physical therapist, confused about a message from an unknown caller. Someone had claimed Marcus was in a crisis and should be placed under observation. His medical appointments were suddenly being questioned.
"Rusk is digging into my life," Marcus told Ortiz.
"Let him dig. He's not your doctor."
"He doesn't need to ruin me. He just needs everybody to think I'm unreliable."
Ortiz took the veterinary report and June's manifest to Brigadier General Evelyn Shaw, Fort Irwin's senior commander. Her aide initially refused a meeting. Ortiz stood in the hallway until the general herself opened the office door.
"Captain, this had better be important."
"Ma'am, a dog officially declared dead saved your demonstration range from an unsafe device today. A retired soldier says the same contractor falsified his records. I have documents."
Shaw stopped walking. "Start from the beginning."
Across the base, Marcus waited with June near the empty memorial courtyard. His phone lit up again, this time with a video message from an unknown sender.
It showed Ruby leaving the ceremony with her mother. The footage ended with a line of text.
YOU WANT THE TRUTH? KEEP THE GIRL OUT OF IT.
May you like
Marcus stood, every trace of softness leaving his face.
"They just made this personal," he said.
