Chapter 4
“Multiple weapons were signed off as serviceable when they weren’t,” Kira said.
“Rack Seven has at least three rifles that should be pulled immediately. The M249 on the table has a cracked gas tube. If fired under stress, it could fail.”
Dalton’s jaw tightened.
“How bad?”
Kira looked at Cole.
“Bad enough to explain Private Ellis’s injury last week.”
A soldier in the back whispered, “Ellis?”
Cole snapped, “Shut up.”
Dalton turned sharply.
“Sergeant.”
Cole stiffened.
“Yes, sir.”
Dalton placed the clipboard on the table.
“Private Ellis lost two fingers during a live-fire drill. Your report said operator error.”
Kira lifted the M249 feed tray.
“The weapon failed before the operator did.”
No one breathed.
Cole stepped forward.
“That is speculation.”
Kira picked up the cracked gas tube with gloved fingers.
“No. This is evidence.”
Dalton looked at the legal officer near the door.
“Start recording.”
Cole’s eyes widened.
A military police officer stepped into the armory.
Then another.
That was when the soldiers realized this was not a surprise inspection.
It was a trap.
And Cole had walked into it smiling.
Kira turned another page in the inspection log.
“Three weeks ago, Rack Seven was marked for full maintenance.”
She pointed to a line.
“Completed by Sergeant Maddox Cole.”
Cole’s voice sharpened.
“I maintain hundreds of weapons.”
Kira flipped the next page.
“Two weeks ago, the same weapons were issued for night drills.”
Another page.
“Six days ago, Private Ellis’s weapon jammed, overpressured, and injured him.”
She looked up.
“Then your follow-up report says he failed to clean it properly.”
Cole’s eyes hardened.
“He did fail.”
Kira’s voice lowered.
“No. You blamed him because he was unconscious and couldn’t answer.”
May you like
The words hit like a punch.
Read Part 5 to find out why one young corporal finally stopped protecting Cole’s lie.
