Chapter 7
Harlan straightened.
“Ma’am, Private Reed failed to qualify. She repeatedly missed her assigned target and then fired unauthorized at the advanced plate.”
Ava said nothing.
She had learned a long time ago that truth did not need to interrupt a lie.
It only needed witnesses.
Colonel Hayes turned to the assistant instructor.
“Report.”
He hesitated for half a second.
Then duty beat fear.
“Ma’am, Private Reed fired multiple rounds that appeared to miss. Upon inspection, all impacts were grouped consistently off point of aim. Rifle rear sight was severely misadjusted before her final round. She compensated and struck the seven-hundred-yard steel plate center mass.”
Colonel Hayes removed her sunglasses.
Her eyes settled on Harlan.
“And who issued that rifle?”
The silence answered before anyone did.
Harlan’s jaw flexed.
“I did, ma’am.”
“Did you inspect it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Did you allow Private Reed to confirm zero?”
Harlan said nothing.
Colonel Hayes stepped closer.
“That was a question.”
“No, ma’am.”
A murmur moved through the platoon.
Colonel Hayes turned to Ava.
“Private Reed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Why didn’t you report the weapon was off?”
Ava kept her voice steady.
“Because I knew how it would sound, ma’am.”
“Say it.”
“It would sound like an excuse.”
Colonel Hayes studied her.
“And instead?”
Ava glanced downrange.
“I used the misses to measure the error.”
For less than a second, the colonel’s expression softened.
Then she turned back to the platoon.
May you like
“Does anyone here know why Private Reed’s file is sealed?”
Read Part 8 to learn the truth Harlan never expected the whole platoon to hear.
