“Yes.”
“And he didn’t.”
“No.”
They stood in silence.
Nearby, the teenage boy laughed at something his mother said.
Jessica looked away.
The formal process began soon afterward.
An MP took photographs of the marks on Jessica’s arm.
Another recorded witness names.
Staff Sergeant Miller gave a statement.
The event coordinator did too.
Several Marines volunteered without being asked.
Jessica answered questions plainly.
No exaggeration.
No revenge.
Just facts.
“Did he release you when first instructed?”
“No.”
“How many times did you tell him?”
“Several.”
“Did you threaten him?”
“No.”
“Did you identify yourself verbally?”
“I told him my rank was inside my patrol cap.”
“Why didn’t you show him your military ID initially?”
“Because I did not believe his physical conduct was justified by my rank.”
The MP paused.
Then wrote that down carefully.
Patricia sat nearby, holding two bottles of water.
When the interview ended, she handed one to Jessica.
