Chapter 4
The sailors and Marines cleared a path.
Reed forced a salute.
“Commander Vale, sir. I was handling a discipline issue.”
Vale did not return the smile.
He looked at the spilled tray.
At Claire’s shaking hands.
At Titan standing between her and Reed.
Then he looked straight at Claire.
His voice was low.
“Handler Claire Dawson?”
Claire swallowed.
“Yes, sir.”
Vale looked at Titan.
The dog’s ears softened, but he stayed alert.
Vale’s voice changed.
“Titan.”
The K9 let out one quiet sound.
Not a growl.
Not a bark.
Something almost like a memory.
Reed’s face turned pale.
Vale stepped between Reed and Claire.
Then he spoke loud enough for the entire mess hall to hear.
“She’s not the rookie.”
Nobody moved.
Vale looked at Reed.
“She’s the reason I’m alive.”
The room froze.
Claire lowered her eyes.
Not from shame.
From the weight of the moment.
Reed forced a laugh, but it came out wrong.
“Sir, I’m sure there’s some misunderstanding.”
Vale turned on him.
“There is.”
Reed looked relieved for half a second.
Until Vale continued.
“You misunderstood who you were putting your hands on.”
The mess hall went so quiet Claire could hear Titan breathing.
Vale looked back at her.
“Are you injured?”
“I’m fine, sir.”
Titan looked up at her.
Vale followed the dog’s eyes.
“No, you’re not.”
Claire almost smiled.
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Everyone who knew real handlers knew the dog usually told the truth before the person did.
Read Part 5 to find out why Reed’s report started falling apart in front of the whole mess hall.
