CHAPTER 2 — THE COLONEL'S WRATH
The footsteps stopped outside the apartment.
Then came three sharp knocks.
Ryan's face turned ghost white.
Colonel James Bennett never looked away from him.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Two Military Police officers stepped inside, followed by Detective Marcus Hale from the Chicago Police Department.
Ryan blinked.
"What... what is this?"
The colonel spoke without raising his voice.
"On my way here, I asked local law enforcement to meet me if something didn't feel right."
He pointed toward Emily.
"It didn't."
Detective Hale's eyes landed on the bruises covering Emily's body.
His expression hardened instantly.
"My God..."
Linda hurried forward.
"This is all a misunderstanding. She bruises easily because she's pregnant."
The detective ignored her.
He carefully photographed every bruise while an ambulance crew rushed into the bedroom.
One paramedic gently lifted Emily's sleeve.
More fingerprints.
More bruises.
Older ones hidden beneath newer ones.
"This didn't happen in one day," she whispered.
Ryan took a desperate step toward Emily.
"Baby... tell them you fell."
Emily flinched.
That tiny movement was all the detective needed to see.
"Don't touch her."
Ryan froze.
The paramedic checked the baby's heartbeat.
Everyone held their breath.
A steady rhythm echoed through the room.
Emily burst into tears.
"The baby..."
"The baby's alive," the medic said softly.
"But we need to get you to the hospital now."
As they wheeled Emily toward the door, Colonel Bennett leaned close to Ryan.
His voice was calm.
"You should start praying."
"Because if my grandson survives..."
"I'm going to make sure you spend the rest of your life remembering today."
Ryan had never been more afraid of another human being.
Because the colonel wasn't shouting.
May you like
He didn't need to.
He had already declared war.
