Chapter 3
Now Colonel Dane stood in front of her like saving people was the crime.
“You put this operation at risk,” he said.
Elena looked past him.
Past the smoke.
Past the soldiers too afraid to speak.
Her eyes dropped to the small camera mounted on Max’s tactical vest.
A red light was still blinking.
Slow.
Steady.
Alive.
Dane followed her gaze.
His face changed.
Just a little.
Elena looked back at him.
“You forgot who was recording.”
For the first time that morning, Colonel Dane said nothing.
Then tires screamed at the far gate.
A black military vehicle braked hard near the landing zone.
The door opened before the engine even shut off.
A tall officer stepped out into the smoke, flanked by two aides and four armed military police.
Three stars shone on his collar.
General Marcus Whitaker walked straight across the yard.
No one spoke.
No one saluted until he passed.
He did not slow down.
His eyes moved from the survivors to Elena.
Then to the cuffs waiting in the MP’s hand.
Then to Colonel Dane.
The general’s voice cut through the smoke.
“Do not cuff her.”
The MPs froze.
Whitaker stepped closer.
His eyes hardened.
“Secure him.”
Colonel Dane went pale.
Max barked once.
Sharp.
Loud.
May you like
Final.
Read Part 4 to see what Max’s camera recorded inside the burning east wing.
