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the new series. xx
Cautionary warning... this chapter
has a bit of an intense subject matter.
Chapter 13
Revelations
0745 – Hereford, UK
Elvis was sat at his desk sipping tea from his stainless steel tumbler as he scrolled through data on his laptop. In a matter of moments Sergeant Toni Blythe would be presenting herself as ordered to undergo a debriefing. This was a classified debriefing under the guise of planning and logistics for the current selection process. Blythe had been absent from the acquisition of candidates and was not to be formally involved this go around due to personnel adjustments, however, all things are subject to change at a moments notice. Elvis zeroed in on the information he had received from Dave Warner via email on his personal laptop, the one not connected to average military scrutiny. He looked at his watch and took another sip. 0758 hours. He set the tumbler down and swiped a finger across his lip. Some untold shit was about to hit the fan.
Sergeant Toni Blythe was cleared to enter Captain Elvis Harte's office. She sucked in a deep breath and slowly released it, conjuring all reserves she had to remain calm, confident and professional. She knew what topic was on the table for discussion and she hoped she could weather the inevitable storm…..
0800
Elvis heard the furtive knock at the door. "Go on." He said loudly, cracking a thumb knuckle in a fist as he anticipated the start of a most uncomfortable meeting. He watched as the door opened and Sergeant Blythe entered formally.
"Relax." The captain said gesturing for Blythe to take a seat.
"Sir. Thank you sir."
"Alright. Bullshit aside Toni, this meetin is classified. Less than a handful know we're even havin this conversation." It was odd being a commanding officer and needing to debrief a mate especially under the circumstances.
"Understood." Blythe replied, trying not to blink too much but her nerves were taut and she wanted to deflect all of this away.
"Are ya prepared to get down to it then?" Elvis asked taking in every nuance of her behavior.
"Yes sir." She answered. It felt odd anticipating an interrogation by an officer who was also a mate and the sometimes CO of her fiancé.
"I know this may be difficult for ya. But trust me…..this is about justice." Elvis said, his eyes never wavering from hers. He knew what his Georgie had gone through in Kenya.
Toni felt frozen inside. Should she reveal anything of the misery she shielded herself from for so long? Spanner simply told her to trust Elvis. She stared at her hands gripped together on her lap. She so wished she were anywhere but here…..but perhaps it was time for justice to be served.
Xxxxx
0810
Georgie paced around the simulation area awaiting the arrival of SAS Support Medics to review updated protocols. She glanced at her watch as participants began to enter the room. So it was probably underway. She knows Elvis is capable of slowly chiseling away at someone during an interrogation….but she equally knows that he has a good heart and will temper his tactics with Toni. What could possibly be unfolding? He never told her the details and she completely understood. This whole thing involved high ranking military personnel and she was worried, no matter what Elvis said.
0815
"Toni, you are aware that you are 'ere to provide information related to Colonel Wescott Jones." Elvis said. There was no doubt Spanner had enlightened her, at least in regards to the colonel.
"Affirmative. I am aware." She said.
"You were under his command at Pirbright."
"Yes sir."
Elvis watched her. She was brave. It would get worse.
"Tell me about 'at. You were a corporal at the time."
"Yes. I was in charge of a platoon at the Army Training Center."
"Females."
"Yes sir."
"During that time were you ever in charge of the males?"
"No. Corporal Hendrickson was."
"How long did you serve at the ATC?"
"Two years."
Elvis nodded. "Ya did a good job there. Had gotten impressive reviews….." He watched her look down at her hands as her breathing became deeper and measured. "Why did ya transfer out?" He asked and Toni felt like the chair went out from under her.
"It wasn't my idea." She said lifting her head and staring at him straight on.
"Wha' happened Toni?" He asked trying to soften his approach.
She closed her eyes briefly. "One of my soldiers came to me to report she had been assaulted by a male platoon mate. It was an attempted rape that she successfully thwarted."
"Was he charged?"
Toni laughed cynically. "No. No he was not. But she was ultimately discharged from service."
Elvis' jaw clenched. "Was Jones privy to the complaint?"
"Oh indeed he was. He was the superior officer who was supposed to do something about egregious acts but I reckon that's impossible when you're a perpetrator yourself!" Toni knew she was near to losing control of herself and abruptly stood. She knew she all but shouted at Elvis. "I'm sorry. Sorry sir." She said, averting her eyes. Elvis frowned and stood as well.
"No need for an apology Toni." He said as tears began to make her eyes glisten. He knew there had been other such allegations surrounding Wescott Jones but now one of the bastard's victims voice was finally being heard. Elvis poured a glass of water and moved from behind the desk to hand her the glass. "I'm sorry to have to put ya through this, but it's necessary I'm afraid."
She looked at the glass, then at his face as she reached for the offered water. "Thanks. I know. I hate him." She said, attempting to take a sip as her hand trembled. Elvis sat on the edge of the desk as Toni walked towards the window. She took another sip then turned to face him and shrugged. "I was livid when it turned out the little twat was never charged or even given a reprimand. I could not stand to look at his smug face during parade drills. My soldier was dismissed and he's wearing a uniform!" She spat.
"I'm sorry Toni. Go on." Elvis said pinching the bridge of his nose and clenching his jaw.
"I went above my captain's head straight to Jones. I didn't give a shit. I was sick of the pack mentality. They were shielding that twat and do you know what I got for my effort? The good colonel showed me what a successful rape does to a woman! How dare I go to a superior officer on behalf of my soldier's complaint! How dare I accuse his fucking nephew of anything!" She cried as she punched a fist down on the window sill. Elvis squeezed his eyes shut as if in pain and launched himself from the desk.
"Fuckin hell!" He growled.
"It was my duty to protect my platoon. It was my duty to report an egregious act!" She went on, the misery evident in her voice.
"Yes." Elvis said. "You did your duty and I am truly sorry Jones did not do his,"
"Oh don't apologize for him. Nothing can erase what he did to me."
"I ain't apologizing for him. I'm apologizing on behalf of the army and for the captain that had his nose so far up Jones' arse he could no longer see straight."
Toni stared at him. She hated feeling vulnerable. She hated the tears now spilling over onto her cheeks. It took her a long time to trust again and she knew she could trust Elvis. A part of him wanted to comfort her but he maintained his distance.
"Did you ask for the transfer?" He asked somberly.
"Well that's just it. You're damn right I wanted out of there but Jones caught on that I was filing a complaint as well. He threatened my career if I spoke out. Fuck Elvis, I wanted a career in the military. I was not going to be separated dishonorably like my soldier was."
Elvis' brow rose as the veins in his neck became quite visible. "He threatened ya as well?"
"Yeah. How 'bout that. As if violating me wasn't nearly enough."
Elvis held his head high. "I'm proud of you sergeant."
Toni's surprised expression made him smile grimly. "I know ya feel ya gave in to intimidation but actually you rose above him. There are no blemishes on your record and you have advanced your career. You are a valuable asset here in Hereford and he can never take that away from you."
She swiped at the incessant tears now. "I do my best. Always my best sir."
"I know. Make no mistake, the fucker is goin down. It may 'appen for a different reason legally but he is goin down." He said watching her begin to relax. "Come on. Sit down." Toni closed her eyes and nodded as she once again took her seat.
"Thank you."
"You will probably 'ave to testify."
"Understood."
"There's something else ya need to know Toni as this moves forward."
She did not like the sound of that. "What is it sir?"
"Lance Corporal Adam Jones was picked up for Selection."
