Chapter 4 - THE REPORT
Three years earlier, Private First Class Eli Ruiz had gone into a training room healthy and come out on a stretcher.
The official report called it a “routine combatives injury.”
Maya had called it what it was.
Hazing.
Sergeant Dalton had ordered Ruiz to keep fighting after he tapped. Twice. When Ruiz tried to stop, Dalton put him back on the mat.
His neck injury ended his Army career.
Maya had been the only NCO willing to put the truth in writing.
Dalton was eventually removed from his position.
For the next year, people called Maya disloyal.
Now Rourke had the report.
He slid the folder toward her.
“Dalton was a good soldier.”
Maya’s eyes narrowed. “He ignored a tap.”
“He made a mistake.”
“He made the same mistake three times.”
Rourke’s face hardened.
“You destroyed his career.”
“No. He did.”
Connor looked between them.
This was clearly the first time he understood why Rourke hated her.
Rourke stood.
“You’re not at your old unit anymore.”
“Good.”
“That attitude won’t help you here.”
Maya picked up her evaluation sheet.
“Neither will falsifying records.”
For the first time, Rourke lost control of his expression.
Only for a second.
But Maya saw it.
Later that afternoon, she found an anonymous message on her phone.
NO CALLER ID.
One attachment.
A photograph taken behind the gym.
Connor stood beside Rourke’s truck.
Rourke was handing him a thick manila envelope.
Under the photograph was one sentence:
ASK BRIGGS WHAT HE AGREED TO DO TO YOU.
Maya stared at the screen.
Tessa leaned over her shoulder.
“Oh, hell.”
Across the parking lot, Connor walked out of the gym alone.
Maya put the phone in her pocket.
“I’m going to ask him.”
Tessa caught her arm.
“Maybe don’t do that alone.”
Maya watched Connor get into his truck.
Too late.
May you like
He had already seen her looking.
And instead of driving away, he started walking straight toward her.
