I nodded.
A guard was closing in on our location. Prisoners were not supposed to talk in small groups in the dining facility.
"So, what I know about these men," Pete continued," Is that they've done this before. Most men roll over and accept the prison sentence. Accept the shame, rather than risk it all. You are the exception, Lieutenant. A true SEAL."
A tear rolled slowly down his face as he turned away, the guard closing in on our location.
"If you want to know who did this thing," he asked before stepping away, "find the other men they've left to rot in the Federal and Military prisons around the country."
Chapter 24:
I tossed and turned that night.
Waiting.
Waiting for retribution that never came.
At least, retribution that never came upon me.
As the day broke through the small cell window, I breathed a sigh of relief and stretched. My Article 32 Hearing would reconvene at 0830.
I stood and stretched, the pain in my back slightly diminished.
I glanced in the small aluminum mirror affixed firmly to the wall and lifted my shirt. The bruise from the rubber bullet was turning from a deep purple to a lighter blue and yellow.
I fell to the floor and did a few pushups and sit ups. Shaved. Splashed water on my face, and waited.
It wasn't long before the buzzer sounded and the door to my cell opened.
I groaned.
Outside the cell stood the chubby, crooked toothed guard who'd led me to solitary two nights earlier.
He flashed me a crooked smile. "Good morning, Lieutenant." He gave me my space and escorted me down the hallway.
"You know," I said as we walked towards the dining hall, "If you want me to go somewhere with you, all you have to do is ask… The Taser the other night was overkill."
He laughed without mirth and stepped closer, his hands grabbing my shoulder roughly as we stepped down the cold concrete hall past the empty cells that lined the pretrial confinement section of the facility.
"Is that right?" He asked, his voice a low hiss in my ear. "You going to be completely docile?"
I nodded. "I don't see that I have many other options."
He laughed again. "Good thing you see that now. Your friend Pete, he never did learn that lesson. Well, not until last night, at least."
"What do you mean?" I asked, my eyes narrowing as I stopped short in the hallway, the chubby officer's pudgy hands tightening around my upper arm as he led me to the dining hall.
"Oh, you didn't hear?" He answered, smiling.
"Your buddy Pete Rogers, well… Sorry to tell you, but he killed himself last night. Hung himself with his shoestrings in his cell."
I closed my eyes tight and took a deep breath.
I could not allow myself to lash out against this man. That was what he wanted.
A reason. Any reason to eliminate me. So, I shook my head and continued walking.
It was one of the hardest things that I've ever done.
When we reached the dining hall, I looked around, hoping against all hope that the guard had been lying. That Pete was here. That he'd just been trying to elicit a response from me.
The tall thin former SEAL was nowhere to be found.
I walked through the line on autopilot. My head downcast.
The men around me seemed to avoid me like the plague.
I couldn't blame them.
Everyone who interacted with me since I arrived had been killed.
The big man.
Now, Pete.
I wouldn't talk to me either.
Breakfast was toast and oatmeal.
I didn't eat. I just stared at my plate until the time came to head back to my hearing.
The time to hear my fate.
The chubby young guard stood waiting, leaning lazily against the concrete wall by the door.
He escorted me down the long corridor, past the empty cells of the pretrial confinement area and through the heavy steel doors that led to the concrete landing outside.
There, my attorney waited, standing next to the large black SUV that would drive me to my hearing.
He smiled. "Good morning."
I just nodded as the MPs handcuffed me and helped me into the vehicle.
As I settled tiredly into the cloth back seat, my arms cuffed behind me, I leaned my head against the darkly tinted window of the vehicle.
Another SEAL was dead at the hands of whoever was responsible for the events of the last few days.
I closed my eyes as the cool glass pressed against my temple and my attorney climbed into the vehicle beside me.
"You alright, Lieutenant?" He asked as the MPs climbed into the two front seats and the vehicle pulled slowly away from the Brig, yesterday's rain having given way to a bright and cool morning which only made the darkness of my situation that much more painful.
I realized now what Pete had meant.
I knew beyond all doubt that if this Article 32 Hearing resulted in the charges being dismissed, I needed to disappear.
Justice, I now knew, would have to wait.
Chapter 25:
Like the day earlier, the tall brick steps to the courtroom were crowded with reporters. All seeking a shot of my face, a statement about the events of that night.
Thankfully, we drove right past the teeming throng of reporters.
My lawyer smiled.
"We will head around back, sir." Said the young Military Police driver as he wove through traffic and turned a hard right around the side of the building.
I was grateful for the anonymity this morning.
My lawyer nodded at me and asked a single question. "You ready?"
I nodded and stepped through the thick metal door as the MP opened it. The walk was interminable, but at least there was no delay this morning.
As we walked through the foyer, I glimpsed Leigh and Clementine standing together near the heavy wooden double doors at the front of the building. I nodded and tried to smile.
Leigh waved.
She could have no idea what was going on inside the courtroom.
No one did.
The proceedings had been sealed to all except for two Navy SEALs, three lawyers, and one Judge.
The doors to the courtroom swung shut behind me as the MPs unlocked my handcuffs and my lawyer and I stepped down the hardwood floor to the defense table.
Chief Jones was already here.
His broad and strong black hand drummed insistently on the table as he waited.
He nodded. "Good morning, sir." He said, sitting a little straighter in his wheelchair.
I returned the gesture and took my own wooden chair.
I didn't remain seated for long.
"Attention on deck." The voice rang out strong and steady.
The Judge entered the room and took his seat.
"Seats." He ordered, setting a thick file folder on the desk before him.
"I'd like to reconvene the Article 32 Hearing placed in recess on the preceding day." He stated.
"I have thoroughly reviewed the evidence in this case, including the evidence submitted by the defendant's attorney and am prepared to make my recommendation to the convening authority."
"Lieutenant Pike, please stand." He ordered.
I stood at attention, a bead of sweat rolling slowly down my face as I awaited my fate.
"Chief Petty Officer Jones, raise your hand."
Chief raised his hand in the air, shifting in his wheelchair.
"Lieutenant Pike, Chief Jones; it is the recommendation of this court that all criminal charges be dismissed. My report to the convening authority is forthcoming. Furthermore, you are hereby released from pretrial confinement."
I breathed a sigh of relief. Chief Jones lowered his hand.
"Unfortunately, gentlemen, the evidence that exonerated your team is classified. That means that while you are innocent in the eyes of your country and your Navy, the trial by media is likely to continue."