Lucas sat across from the soldier in a stark, fluorescent-lit interrogation room, the atmosphere thick with tension. The soldier, visibly shaken, shifted uncomfortably in his chair, eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.
“Let’s start from the beginning,” Lucas said, his voice steady and commanding. “You were in the kitchen before the poisonings, correct? Tell us what you know.”
The soldier swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly. “I…I was in charge of preparing the meals that day,” he stammered. “But I swear I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt. I didn’t even know it was in the food.”
“Then how did it end up there?” the CO pressed, leaning forward with a piercing gaze.
“I don’t know! I was just following orders!” the soldier exclaimed, desperation lacing his tone. “I heard someone talking about a new supplier—someone who promised to provide high-quality ingredients at a lower price. They said it would save us money and give us better meals, but I didn’t think anything of it at the time.”
Lucas exchanged a glance with the CO, who nodded for him to continue. “And who was this supplier?” Lucas asked, his voice low and measured.
“I don’t know the name! I just did what I was told. I thought it was all legit!” the soldier replied, panic rising in his voice. “But when I tasted the food, it had a strange aftertaste. I figured it was just a new spice or something.”
“Did anyone else notice it?” the CO inquired, taking notes furiously.
“Maybe the other cooks? But they all seemed fine,” the soldier said, shaking his head. “I didn’t think it was that serious until I heard about the deaths.”
Lucas leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “So you didn’t think to report it? To check the ingredients?”
“I… I was just trying to do my job!” the soldier pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes. “I didn’t want to rock the boat. It was a busy day, and I thought I was just overreacting.”
The CO’s expression hardened. “You could have saved lives by speaking up. Now two men are dead, and you might be the key to finding out who’s really responsible for this.”
“I know! I know!” the soldier cried, anguish etched across his face. “I’ll do anything to help you! Just don’t let this go any further! I can’t lose my career over this!”
Lucas exchanged another glance with the CO, understanding the soldier’s fear but also recognizing the gravity of the situation. “We need the names of everyone involved with this new supplier. If you’re serious about helping, you need to come forward with everything you know.”
The soldier nodded fervently, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “I’ll do it. I promise. Just please don’t let them pin this on me.”
“Get your head straight,” Lucas said, his tone firm but not unkind. “We’re not out to destroy your life. We’re here to find the truth and ensure this doesn’t happen again. But you need to cooperate fully.”
“I will. I promise!” the soldier insisted, his voice cracking. “I’ll give you everything I can remember. Just don’t let them blame me for this.”
As Lucas and the CO wrapped up the interview, they exchanged a look of understanding. The soldier might be scared, but he held vital information that could lead them to the root of this deadly situation.
“Let’s head back to Bella,” Lucas said, determination fueling his steps. “She needs to know what we’ve uncovered.”
The CO nodded, leading the way back to the lab. As they walked, Lucas couldn’t shake the feeling that they were getting closer to unraveling a much bigger conspiracy, one that could have dire consequences for everyone involved.
YOU ARE READING
An Unforgiving Love
RomanceCaptain Lucas Morani has just returned home after five grueling years of military service in Iraq, his mind constantly occupied by thoughts of the woman he left behind. But when he arrives to find his girlfriend has moved on with his own brother, th...
