“You didn’t.”
The words were not cruel.
That gave them more weight.
Crawford’s earlier humiliation of Jessica had depended on the crowd believing she lacked legitimacy.
Now his own conduct had become the subject.
The ranks had not created the reversal.
They had exposed it.
He had tried to use military status as permission to dominate someone he believed had none.
Jessica’s hidden rank revealed exactly what he thought authority was for.
The MP sergeant stepped closer again.
“Captain, come with us.”
Crawford did not resist physically.
But he looked at Jessica one more time.
“Is this going to end my career?”
Jessica could have said yes.
She could have reminded him of the witnesses.
The alcohol.
The assaultive grip.
The disruption.
The accusation.
Instead, she said, “That isn’t my decision.”
His expression twisted.
“You could make it disappear.”
Jessica shook her head.
“No.”
“Why not?”
