Chapter 9 - WHAT KELLER KNEW
Keller had a fractured cheekbone, two broken ribs, and a concussion.
He was conscious.
Barely.
Colonel Hale stood beside his hospital bed the next morning.
Captain Ruiz waited near the door.
Two MPs stood outside.
Keller’s left eye was swollen.
He looked at Hale and gave a bitter laugh.
“Guess I’m not very popular.”
Hale didn’t smile.
“Who did this?”
Keller stared at the ceiling.
“I fell.”
“Into three separate boots?”
Keller closed his eyes.
Hale leaned closer.
“Your access card was used at Mercer’s barracks.”
No response.
“Her notebook was in your vehicle.”
Still nothing.
“You were recorded discussing the disappearance of her complaints with Vaughn.”
Keller opened his eyes.
“That kid recorded me?”
“Does it matter?”
Keller looked away.
Hale continued.
“You have two options. Keep protecting whoever you’ve been protecting…”
He paused.
“…or understand that the same people just put you in a hospital.”
Keller swallowed painfully.
“They told me nobody would get hurt.”
“Who?”
“I can’t.”
Hale’s expression stayed flat.
“They already hurt Mercer.”
“I mean seriously.”
Ruiz stepped in.
“Someone broke your ribs, Sergeant.”
Keller looked at her.
“You think I don’t know that?”
“Then help yourself.”
Keller laughed, then winced.
“You people think Vaughn is the problem?”
Hale said nothing.
Keller looked toward the door.
Then lowered his voice.
“Vaughn is stupid.”
“Agreed.”
“He likes attention. Likes making people scared.”
“Keep going.”
“But he doesn’t plan.”
Hale leaned closer.
“Who does?”
Keller hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Dalton.”
Major Eric Dalton.
The battalion executive officer.
Hale’s face became unreadable.
Keller continued.
“Vaughn’s uncle served with Dalton years ago. Helped him out when he was younger.”
“What kind of help?”
“Career-saving kind.”
Ruiz asked, “So Dalton protects Vaughn?”
Keller nodded slightly.
“At first it was little stuff. Counseling statements disappearing. Drunk incident off base. Fights.”
“And you helped.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Keller looked ashamed.
“Because Dalton told me to.”
“That excuse is getting old.”
“I know.”
Hale folded his arms.
“Mercer?”
Keller took a slow breath.
“The first complaint came through me.”
“We know.”
“Dalton told me to destroy it.”
“Why?”
“He said Vaughn was already being considered for a leadership position. Another complaint would create problems.”
Ruiz shook her head in disbelief.
“And the second?”
“Ramsey gave it to Dalton.”
Hale’s eyes narrowed.
“Keller.”
“What?”
“You’re still leaving something out.”
Keller’s gaze shifted.
Hale stepped closer.
“You had a list of five names.”
Keller’s breathing changed.
“Mercer. Price. Ruiz. Me. Ramsey.”
Keller closed his eyes.
“What does ‘He knows who started this’ mean?”
No answer.
“Keller.”
The injured sergeant whispered, “Dalton knows somebody kept copies.”
“Copies of what?”
“Everything.”
Hale felt the room tighten.
“What everything?”
Keller looked directly at him.
“Vaughn wasn’t the first.”
Ruiz’s face changed.
Keller continued.
“There were complaints before Mercer.”
“How many?”
“I don’t know.”
“How many, Sergeant?”
Keller’s voice broke.
“Maybe nine.”
Hale stared at him.
“Nine soldiers?”
“Some transferred.”
“Others?”
Keller looked away.
“One left the Army.”
“And the rest?”
“Dropped it.”
“Why?”
Keller gave a hollow laugh.
“Same reason everyone drops things.”
He looked toward Hale.
“They learned nobody was coming.”
Ruiz stepped forward.
“Where are the copies?”
Keller swallowed.
“I don’t have them.”
“Who does?”
Keller hesitated.
Then whispered one name.
“Sergeant Mason Reed.”
Hale frowned.
Reed had left Fort Halbrook eight months earlier.
Ruiz looked at him.
“Where is he now?”
Keller shook his head.
“Dalton’s trying to find him.”
Hale reached for his phone.
Keller suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Weakly.
Desperately.
“Colonel.”
Hale looked down.
Keller’s good eye was wide with fear.
“If Dalton finds Reed before you do…”
He swallowed.
May you like
“…Mercer’s complaint won’t be the only thing that disappears.”
---
