Chapter Twenty
This day was officially fucked. Drew now had to go inside and inform his company commander that one of their soldiers was potentially a domestic abuser.
How ‘bout him remembering that someone was innocent until proven guilty? Part of him was relieved that his training hadn’t gone out the window because of his emotions.
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe Jared. The man had no reason to lie about who sent him to the hospital.
No victim blaming was going to happen on his watch.
No one deserved to be beaten by someone they were in a relationship with.
It didn’t matter if it was a physical or mental beating.
Nothing warranted that. But he also had to remember to go exactly by the book, especially on this one.
Drew turned off the SUV and walked into the MP station. He went straight to Captain Ash’s office and knocked on the door. “Excuse me, sir. I need a minute of your time.”
Captain Ash looked up from whatever he was reading with a frown on his face and a raised eyebrow, probably from Drew being formal. “Is it really a minute? Because I have to have this training plan to the major by noon.”
“I’m sorry, Captain Ash, but I think you’re going to be late getting your plan to Major Hill. Also, I think you need to call First Sergeant Marks to be present.” Drew didn’t know the next steps to happen but the senior NCO needed to be informed.
Captain Ash blew out a hard breath before he reached for the phone.
“Hey Top, Nolan’s in my office and apparently needs to speak with both of us,” Steve paused before continuing, “Yeah, I think whatever he has to say is important enough for you to delay going to your meeting,” he said, looking at Drew, who nodded.
“This better be of high importance, Nolan.”
Drew wasn’t going to squirm. He hadn’t done anything except take a victim’s statement. When he’d left the ER, Brody had called in the SAFE nurse to do a forensic exam and collect any evidence under the established guidelines.
It didn’t take long for the first sergeant to walk in the office and lean against Captain Ash’s desk. “Lieutenant, something better be on fire. I don’t have time for stupid shit today.” Drew loved that the first sergeant felt comfortable enough with him to speak his mind and not pull punches.
Looking between Captain Ash and First Sergeant Marks, Drew shifted to close the office door. He wasn’t going to have any rumors spreading. This was going to be handled by the book.
“Captain Ash, First Sergeant Marks. I just left the Emergency Room over at Brooke. One of the lieutenants there called me in to speak with a patient who had sustained a physical attack. The patient’s statement covered the violent act performed on him by someone he identified as having an intimate relationship with,” Drew said in a monotone.
“To be completely transparent, I am dating the lieutenant in the ER.”
His captain waved off his revelation. “Sadly, this is not the first DV report of the week, Lieutenant. Soldiers aren’t receiving the mental health care they need.
Most are handled over at AFSFC. Why did you think that we needed to be told with the door closed?
” Ash questioned. “Top and I both have import—”
“Sir, the accused is Sergeant Provo,” Drew interrupted and was met with silence.
It took a minute before either of the men reacted, and then it was with a quiet resolve from the first sergeant.
“Sergeant Provo is currently on patrol over in the housing area. I’ll call him in.
” Marks seemed to be talking through gritted teeth.
“We should call someone from AFSFC to take this over.”
Top hadn’t finished speaking before Steve was nodding.
“It would be best if this was handled outside of the chain of command.” The captain reached for his phone and dialed a number.
“Sorry for interrupting your morning, Major Hill. We’ve got a situation that needs to be taken over by AFSFC.
Do you have time for myself and Lieutenant Nolan to come and brief you? ”
Well, fuck. Drew did not want to be in front of the major for another high-profile incident or report.
He was already on the man’s radar for the incident on the traffic stop.
Christ, all he wanted to do was do his six, figure out a way to tell his family he wasn’t making the military his career and maybe, if he was lucky, have a long-term relationship with Brody.
“Let’s go, Drew. Major Hill is expecting us,” Steve said as he stood. “Top, when Provo arrives, please put him in the conference room and have someone on the door. I’ll give you a call with the next steps.”
§ § § §
Brody was dragging by the time he got home.
Bouncing between day and night shift was killing him.
It was not the time of year for a flu outbreak but surprise!
He’d spoken with Cap, and assignments were shifted around for him to stay with Jared and act as his advocate.
They’d arranged for him to be put in temporary housing away from the barracks.
Brody had no idea what the MPs were going to do.
The alleged perpetrator was one of their own.
He knew that Drew wasn’t going to let it slide, but he also knew that Drew wasn’t in command.
He could only hope that they would listen to Jared’s side of the story.
As he climbed the steps to his condo, Brody was debating whether he was hungrier than he was tired.
A throat clearing got his attention. Drew was standing there, hair wet from a recent shower, T-shirt molded to his chest, wearing a pair of shorts and flip-flops.
A bag of takeout hung from his fingers. It was definitely a sight that Brody could appreciate.
“Hey, figured you’d be as drained from today as me. Brought some barbeque,” Drew said as he closed the distance and placed a kiss on Brody’s lips.
Brody let the sensation of Drew’s lips against his seep into his body. The feeling of that small connection soothed something in him. He followed Drew when he pulled back, making the kiss linger a minute longer.
“Bless you,” Brody whispered when they parted. “I was debating whether I was more tired or hungry as I climbed the stairs. Now, I don’t have to worry about food plus I’ve got someone to snuggle with and recharge.”
“I am an expert cuddler,” Drew said proudly. “Let’s get inside. You go shower and change. I’ll get the food set out for us. Eat in front of some mindless streaming?”
“I could get used to this,” Brody told him as he turned the key. As he started down the hallway, he called over his shoulder, “I don’t want to mess with the investigation. I just have one question, they’re taking Jared seriously, right? I know you did but…”
“Shhhh.” Drew stopped Brody from walking any further.
“I can’t share much as it’s out of mine and my company’s hands.
I can tell you that my company commander and first sergeant were not happy that one of their own did this.
We met with our battalion XO and shared all of my information with him and then we sat down with one of the officers from AFSFC.
They’ll take over the investigation. From what I heard, Provo had visible signs of a fight on his knuckles when they pulled him in from patrol but that’s hearsay.
Jared’s situation is being taken very seriously by command. ”
Brody dropped his chin to his chest and let out a breath he didn’t even know he’d been holding while Drew spoke.
Nodding, he looked up into Drew’s eyes. Yup, that’s what he needed to see.
Drew was outraged and wasn’t going to let this get pushed aside.
Brody cupped Drew’s face in both his hands and leaned his forehead against Drew’s.
“Stay tonight,” Brody asked. They hadn’t spent the night together since their first night together. He needed Drew’s warmth next to him tonight. He needed Drew to ground him.
“No place I’d rather be. I’ve got a clean uniform in the car. Now shower, food, and something brainless,” Drew said as he swatted Brody on the ass.