Chapter 2 - A Warning in Blue Ink
Mara didn't unfold the napkin until she reached the hallway outside Price's office.
She had already guessed what it said. The warning was in Nina's handwriting, the same sharp capitals she used on maintenance tags. That frightened Mara more than an anonymous threat would have.
Inside, Price sat behind a desk lined with challenge coins. He didn't offer her a chair.
“Voss says you slipped,” he said.
“Voss knocked my tray out of my hands.”
“Twenty people saw you go down. Not one has come to me alleging misconduct.”
“They were laughing. Some were recording.”
“Then you can show me a recording.”
Mara watched him. “That's an interesting request from someone who hasn't asked Voss a single question.”
Price tapped his pen once. “You have a reputation for making things difficult.”
“I have a reputation for putting facts in writing.”
“Your transfer packet mentioned trouble adjusting to leadership.”
“My transfer packet mentioned that I testified in a safety investigation.”
Price opened a folder. A photograph of Owen lay on top. Owen stood outside a rehabilitation clinic on crutches, wearing a sweatshirt with their hometown high school's faded logo.
Mara felt her stomach tighten. “Why do you have that?”
“Your brother has made some public complaints. People talk. I suggest you learn to separate family matters from duty.”
“That picture isn't from any public complaint.”
“Dismissed, Staff Sergeant.”
She remained standing. “I want to submit a written statement.”
“You can. Through me.”
“That's not the only avenue.”
Price finally looked up. “You're welcome to find out how much those other avenues appreciate incomplete information.”
Outside, Mara went directly to the nearest restroom. She photographed the napkin, then typed a timeline into her phone: time, witnesses, tray, Voss's words, Price's photograph. She sent a copy to a personal account she used for document backups, following the applicable rules about nonclassified information.
Her phone buzzed. Owen.
Clinic canceled tomorrow. Somebody called claiming I withdrew my appeal. I didn't.
Mara called him immediately.
“Are you safe?” she asked.
“I'm at home. What's going on?”
“Don't sign anything. Don't answer calls you don't recognize.”
“You sound like you're in trouble.”
“I'm dealing with it.”
A quiet knock came from the other side of the restroom door.
“Staff Sergeant?” Nina whispered. “I know why they picked you.”
May you like
Mara opened the door just enough to see her.
Nina's cheeks were pale. “It wasn't about lunch,” she said. “Somebody moved your brother's name onto the list last night.”
