29. Chapter 29
Chapter twenty-nine
Warlock
Two days later, I’m sitting next to my JAG at my hearing.
The room is similar to any other courtroom, except there’s no judge.
Instead, three panel members are seated, waiting to hear the evidence against me.
If they decide there’s enough evidence, my trial will take place in front of a military judge.
With any luck, it won’t come to that. Hopefully the panel sees through this farce, drops the charges, releases me, and lets me return to my life.
Unfortunately, today is one-sided. We won’t get to present evidence or arguments against anything the prosecutor lays out. Instead, I have to sit and listen to his bullshit without a word.
The prosecutor begins by presenting his evidence. “In the case of the United States versus Master Chief Darren Stevens, Master Chief Stevens is accused of violating Articles 114 and 128 Uniform Code of Military Justice for beating four innocent men.”
Innocent my ass.
“Exhibit one is the deposed testimony of Master Chief Stevens’ victims. Exhibit two is the deposed testimony of the other five members of his team. Exhibit three is video evidence from Corey Kimball’s cell phone.”
The prosecutor clicks a remote, and the video begins.
It focuses on me and excludes Tallahassee entirely. The prosecutor never mentions Tallahassee or what those animals did to her. It’s been edited out of context, but I can’t deny the way I’m pummeling those assholes looks damning. Except for my JAG, all eyes in the room shift and narrow on me.
When the video ends, the prosecutor wraps up. “On the night in question, Master Chief Stevens went rogue, attacking and brutally beating four unarmed civilians without provocation.
“As a result of Master Chief Stevens’ actions, one of his victims spent two days in the hospital.
” He shows pictures of the four men, bruised and bloody.
“One had a concussion, two broken ribs, and a broken nose.
Another, a broken nose and arm. The fourth was beaten so badly he was knocked unconscious.
“As a SEAL, Master Chief Stevens is a trained deadly weapon with a unique set of skills. As such, his victims didn’t stand a chance against this heinous crime.”
I am so fucked. Listening to the way the prosecutor is laying out his case, if I didn’t know the truth, even I might believe I’m guilty.