Razor Wire

by Lauren Gallagher

  As they disappeared down the hall, through the gauntlet of wide-eyed MAs who’d gathered, Alejandro was still reading off charges.

  Kim released a breath and sagged against the wall, closing her eyes and letting her head fall back. I stepped closer and touched her shoulder. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” She blinked a few times and looked up at me. “What about you? How’s your—” She gestured at her mouth.

  I dabbed at mine and came away with a bit of blood but nothing alarming. “I’ll be all right.” I nodded in the direction he’d gone. “I don’t think he’ll feel so great in the morning.”

  “Sucks to be him.” She rubbed her forehead. “I can’t decide if I’m relieved or scared shitless of what’s going to happen next.”

  “Whatever happens, you know you’ve got my support. And MA1’s.”

  “I know.” She smiled up at me. “Thank you.”

  I returned the smile and hugged her gently.

  Behind us, Senior Chief cleared his throat. “MA3 Lockhoff, why don’t you take MA2 Marion over to medical and have that looked at?” He shifted uncomfortably. “While you’re there, I’ll send someone up to get statements from both of you. I’d . . . like to make sure this is all properly documented.”

  We both nodded and murmured, “Yes, Senior Chief.”

  Reese hesitated. “Could you let MA1 Gutiérrez know we’ll come to his office when we get back? He wanted us to wait for him.”

  Senior Chief nodded. “I’ll do that.”

  “Thank you, Senior Chief.”

  By the time Kim and I came back from medical, every MA on Okinawa must have known. There were usually a few of the guys hanging around the precinct, but there were at least fifteen this time.

  As we walked in, they made room, and I kept my focus straight ahead. None of them said a word.

  A few feet from Alejandro’s door, Kim paused. “Damn it, pregnant girl’s gotta pee. I’ll be right back.”

  I laughed. “Go ahead. I’ll meet you in here.”

  She went one way, and I went the other. Alejandro was waiting in his office, and as soon as I walked in, he said, “How’s your lip?”

  I played at it with my tongue. “It’ll heal. Looks a lot worse than it is.”

  “That’s good. Looked like he hit you pretty hard.”

  I shrugged. “His mistake.”

  Alejandro chuckled.

  “I’m guessing he wasn’t happy about being booked?”

  “Jesus, no.” Alejandro whistled. “I’ve seen drunk Marines who were less belligerent.”

  “If I’d had another minute or so with him, I probably could’ve made him cry like that drunk lance corporal we brought in last month.”

  Alejandro laughed. “Well, when we told him his wife had been contacted and the CO was on his way down, he turned white. I’ll bet he’ll cry once they get here.”

  “Pity I won’t get to see that.”

  “Eh, you probably wouldn’t want to.”

  “Probably not.”

  He studied me for a moment. “I, uh, after everything you and Lockhoff told me today, I can see why you were so upset with me last time we talked.”

  “I wasn’t being fair. You didn’t know.”

  “I didn’t, but . . .” He sighed. “I could’ve done more for her.”

  “You got her out of this office.” I managed a smile, albeit a lopsided one since the side of my mouth hurt like hell. “And when it came down to it, you believed her. That’s the important part.”

  “I still feel like an ass. But . . . thanks. For trusting me even after you thought you couldn’t.”

  “We had to. You were the only person we had left.”

  He swallowed hard. “I hope that’s not the only reason.”

  “No. No, I guess it wasn’t.”

  “And, uh, if I had known . . .”

  “I know. I would’ve told you, but . . .” I shook my head. “She didn’t want to report it yet and I—”

  “I don’t just mean about her. Why didn’t you ever tell me what happened to you?”

  I avoided his eyes. “I never told anyone. Aside from Kim, I mean.”

  He pulled me into a tight embrace. “I am so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.” I exhaled and hugged him, relieved that I had my friend back. “You know it’s not.”

  “Still.” He released me and looked me in the eye. “You can trust me. As your friend and your LPO.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  Kim appeared in the doorway. She glanced back and forth between us. “Am I, uh, interrupting?”

  “Not at all.” Alejandro gestured for her to come in. As she closed the door behind her, he said, “Do you two need to add anything? To your statements?”

  We both shook our heads.

  Kim shifted her weight. “I don’t have anything to add, but . . . what happens next?” She waved a hand. “I mean, I know how investigations work. But I’m kind of afraid he’s going to . . .”

  “Use his influence and connections to weasel out of this?” Alejandro asked.

  “Yeah. Exactly.”

  “Well, between resisting arrest, assaulting MA2 Marion, and that little comment he made on the way out the door, all with multiple witnesses?” Alejandro shook his head. “That motherfucker is done.”

  “Thank God,” Kim breathed and leaned against the wall. “Fuck.” She wiped at her eyes, and I embraced her.

  “Hey. You okay?”

  She nodded and sniffed as she hugged me back. “Just . . . can’t believe it’s over.”

  I stroked her hair. Of course, it wasn’t completely over—the investigation and trial would be hell—but she’d finally dropped the hammer and reported Stanton. He wasn’t merrily going about his life while she lost sleep over the secret she’d been coerced into keeping. It was a huge weight off my shoulders; I could only imagine how much had been lifted off hers.

  Alejandro cleared his throat. “There’s just a bit more paperwork before you go. Since Reese is the arresting officer . . . Well, you know the drill. Once that’s all squared away, why don’t the two of you take the rest of the day off?”

  Kim smirked. “I’m technically already off.”

  “Well pin a rose on your nose.” I elbowed her playfully. “Some of us are still on shift for a couple of hours.”

  Alejandro laughed. “You know what? Just come in first thing in the morning, and we’ll wrap everything up. I’ll get Navy Legal and JAG on the horn and make sure you’ve got all the support you need for the investigation.”

  Kim drew back from me and smiled at him. “Thank you, MA1.”

  He put up his hands. “Hey, don’t thank me. You two are the ones who had the brass balls to take Stanton down, even after he threatened you. All I did was call the CO.”

  “Still,” I said. “Thank you.”

  He nodded. “Don’t mention it. And if anyone gives either of you shit about this investigation, come straight to me. Understood?”

  “Understood,” we said in unison.

  He dismissed us, and we didn’t wait around. We left his office and walked out of the freezing-cold precinct into the heavy tropical heat.

  Kim put her cover back on and took a long, deep breath through her nose. “God, I am so glad that part’s over.”

  “Me too. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

  “You want to grab a cigarette before we go?”

  I glanced at the smoke pit, and . . . nothing. Not even the slightest pull.

  “No. I smoke when I’m stressed.” I smiled at her. “But right now, I feel pretty damned good.”

  “Funny how that works.” She slipped her hand into mine. “What do you say we go change out of our uniforms, find a beach somewhere, and just chill for the afternoon?”

  “That’s a fucking awesome idea.” I squeezed her hand and, with my other, pulled my car keys from my pocket. “Let’s go.”

  Several Months Later

  Standing in front of the bathr
oom mirror, I ran my hand over the front of my camouflage blouse. It felt strange to be in uniform again. Even stranger than not having that huge belly anymore.

  I barely recognized myself. I’d gotten so used to being heavily made-up whenever I was in uniform, wearing a blouse just tight enough to show off my tits, it was weird to look in the bathroom mirror and see . . . this. Still a little round in the cheeks from the baby weight, but otherwise, the woman looking back at me was the one my old command had dubbed Razor Wire. Just enough makeup to cover up the dark circles under my eyes—at least I’d been sleeping better lately—with a touch of mascara and some lip liner.

  It felt good to be back in my own skin. The way I’d presented myself before hadn’t been an invitation for Stanton, but it had also never been . . . me. The way I looked now wasn’t necessarily me, either. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. Maybe now I could finally figure that out.

  I’d had the baby a month and a half ago, and the first couple of weeks had been rough. Knowing I was doing the right thing hadn’t made giving him up any easier, but I was getting better. Day by day, a little at a time, I was getting better.

  The baby was in good hands now. I’d recovered physically. The trial was over.

  That trial had been a shitstorm if there’d ever been one. Stanton’s attorney had tried to use my reputation against me, and he’d tried to nail Reese for dereliction of duty, failure to report, and fraternization, but the JAG prosecutor wasn’t having it. Under the circumstances, Reese’s failure to report had been deemed reasonable and justified, and even the fraternization charges couldn’t stick since Reese wasn’t technically my supervisor.

  The prosecutor had eviscerated the defense up one side and down the other, and the guilty verdict hadn’t surprised anyone. Especially not after the prosecutor had presented some surprising—and extremely damning—character witnesses. Word about Stanton’s arrest had traveled fast, and within two weeks, three other women—including one who was now a respected senior chief at another command—had come forward. Though they’d only heard that he’d been accused of sexual assault, their stories were eerily similar to mine. A party. A few drinks. Just enough force to make it clear there was no point in resisting unless she wanted to get hurt.

  I’d had a feeling there were others, but it still blew my mind when they came forward and confirmed it. I wasn’t alone. I hadn’t imagined it. The pattern was clearly established, and his guilt was undeniable.

  Stanton had been shipped off to Leavenworth, where he’d lose his rank and be reduced to “Prisoner” and a number, and where he’d never bother any of us again. Before he’d transferred to the prison, where he’d remain until he was an old, old man, he’d been ordered to terminate his parental rights. By the time I’d had the baby, Stanton was gone, and I was free and clear of him. The baby was now making a young lieutenant commander and his wife very happy after they’d struggled for six long years to have one of their own.

  Reese stepped into the bathroom, drawing me out of my thoughts, and grinned. “Looking good, sweetie.”

  I met her eyes in the mirror and smiled. “Feels good to put it on again.”

  “I’ll bet it does.” She wrapped her arms around me from behind. “You ready for this?”

  I took a deep breath. “I think so.”

  “Nervous?”

  “A little. I’m still not sure what the other MAs are going to think.”

  “Well, I doubt they’ll fuck with you.” She kissed my cheek. “If anything, they’re probably scared to fuck with you. The whole command is still impressed as hell that you took Stanton down.”

  I smiled and leaned against her. “God. I am so glad he’s gone.”

  “Me too. The command climate has changed a lot, too.”

  “So you’ve said.”

  “Still plenty of bullshit, though, so let’s get moving.” She kissed my cheek once more, then released me. “I need coffee before I face any of these assholes.”

  I smirked. “Maybe we should quit staying up so late, then.”

  “No, I didn’t say that.” She winked. “I just need some coffee to deal with the aftermath.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Good. Let’s go.”

  “All right, I’ll be there in a second.”

  She left the bathroom, and I glanced in the mirror one more time. No, I definitely didn’t look anything like the girl I’d been a year ago. The guys I’d worked with probably wouldn’t know what to make of this one.

  Well, I guess they’d figure it out.

  I turned off the light and headed out with Reese.

  My maternity leave was over. My rapist was guilty and gone.

  I was a cop again. My son was in good hands. My girlfriend was still by my side.

  And my life was finally mine again.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading Lauren Gallagher’s Razor Wire!

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  This book wouldn’t have been possible without several MAs and other military personnel who thoroughly answered my seemingly never-ending list of questions and patiently walked me through the hypothetical scenarios that eventually became this story. You all know who you are. Thank you.

  Who’s Your Daddy?

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  Reconstructing Meredith

  World Enough and Time

  Writing as L.A. Witt

  Finding Master Right

  The Tucker Springs series (with Marie Sexton & Heidi Cullinan)

  The Market Garden series (with Aleksandr Voinov)

  The Left Hand of Calvus

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  Starstruck

  Lauren Gallagher is an abnormal romance writer currently living in the wilds of Omaha, Nebraska. She and her husband, along with a coyote-iguana hybrid and two and a half cats, are thought to be in hiding from the Polynesian Mafia and a debt collector in search of a fine for an overdue book from the Library of Alexandria. Lauren continues to skillfully, if somewhat clumsily, elude them, but continues to have run-ins with her archnemesis, M/M erotic romance author L.A. Witt. The implementation of Operation: I Don’t Think So is expected to resolve that problem soon enough.

  Website: http://www.loriawitt.com

  Twitter: @GallagherWitt

  Blog: http://gallagherwitt.blogspot.com

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