Chapter 2 - Miller Refuses Decker’s First Lie
I did not lose consciousness immediately.
That mattered.
I heard Sergeant Decker repeat his story into the radio.
“Suspect reached for a weapon.”
Then Officer Brian Miller said:
“No, she didn’t.”
Silence.
Even through the pain, I understood what had just happened.
Decker turned toward his younger partner.
“What?”
Miller’s voice shook.
“She told us where her wallet was. Her hands were visible.”
“Watch yourself.”
“I saw it.”
Decker crouched beside me.
His face had changed.
Not remorse.
Calculation.
He reached toward my jacket.
Miller stepped closer.
“Don’t touch her.”
Decker glared at him.
Then sirens approached.
I forced myself to speak.
“My ID.”
Miller knelt beside me.
“Ma’am, don’t move.”
“Army… Colonel Evelyn Hayes.”
His eyes widened.
Decker heard it too.
That was the first moment fear entered his face.
Not because shooting a colonel was worse than shooting anyone else.
Because he suddenly understood there would be records outside his
department.
People expecting me.
May you like
People who knew exactly where I had been.
And one of them was already calling my phone.
