Defying Collins

Captain Morgan refused Collins's order to end the audit.

By noon, she was removed from command pending a readiness review.

Major Collins appointed himself acting commander and announced that Fort Liberty's combatives program would host an installation tournament in ten days. The event would demonstrate that recent accusations had not weakened unit morale.

To Emma, the timing was a declaration. Collins believed spectacle could bury evidence.

Malik Price disagreed.

"Spectacle attracts cameras," he said. "Cameras make criminals nervous."

They met in the back room of a diner beyond the gate. Emma gave him Daniel's memory card. Malik created two copies and sent one outside the installation chain of command.

"The video gives us misconduct," he said. "It does not show the payments. We need the burner phone or Rusk's account system."

"The Pit will open again before the tournament. Collins needs fresh bets."

"You are suspended."

"That only means he will not expect me inside."

Two nights later, Owen sent Emma a single number: 2330.

She and Malik watched the training complex from a maintenance van. At 2324, lights appeared in the lower gym. Soldiers entered through a loading door in groups of two. Civilians arrived from Rusk's bars. Jake stood at the entrance checking names.

At 2341, Owen appeared.

"He should be in protective quarters," Malik said.

Emma called him. His phone went directly to voicemail.

Through binoculars, she saw Jake grip Owen's shoulder and guide him inside.

They moved.

Malik entered through the loading corridor while Emma climbed the exterior stairs to the viewing level. The glass office above the gym offered a clear view of the mat.

Below, more than forty people surrounded the cage. Rusk sat behind a folding table with three phones and a laptop. Briggs stood on the mat holding his whistle. Major Collins watched from the front row in civilian clothes.

Owen faced a military police specialist named Warren Pike, who outweighed him by nearly sixty pounds.

Jake leaned close to Owen. "Two minutes. That is all you owe."

"You said I was done."

"Your mother has a review board next week. Do not make paperwork difficult."

Owen lifted his guard.

Briggs looked sick.

The match began.

Pike drove Owen into the cage. The crowd shouted. Money moved across Rusk's screens. Owen covered his head and tried to circle away, but Pike dragged him down.

Emma photographed the laptop, the bettors, Collins, and the match. Then she saw Jake look directly toward the glass office.

He had known she would come.

The overhead lights went out.

Emergency red lamps filled the gym. Doors locked. The crowd erupted in confusion.

Emma ran downstairs. On the mat, Pike still held Owen beneath him.

"Stop the match!" she shouted.

Briggs raised the whistle, but Jake knocked it from his hand.

Emma entered the cage. Pike released Owen and stepped toward her, uncertain which order carried more danger.

Jake pointed. "She is suspended and trespassing. Hold her for military police."

"I am military police," Malik called from the loading door.

For one moment, nobody moved.

Then Collins shouted, "Take their phones."

The room exploded into motion.