Chapter 27 – The Line that Separated Past from Present
October 11, 2015 – 8:37 AM
Mid-Wilshire Police Station – Conference Room
The station woke to silence. It was a cloudy Sunday, and the tone in the hallways wasn't that of a quiet weekend, but rather something suspended in the air—as if everyone knew something was about to collapse. Inside the conference room, Derek Davis, Angela Lopez, Captain Zoe Anderson, Sergeant Wade Grey, Tim Bradford, and Talia Bishop sat around the oval table, quietly, waiting.
The wall clock made the loudest sound in the room, a constant ticking that seemed to mock the silent anxiety consuming everyone.
Derek's gaze was downcast, his hands clasped on the table. His posture was firm, but his shoulders betrayed the weight of days without rest. He had returned from NCIS headquarters the night before, released into supervised custody while the investigation continued. The questioning had been difficult, but they still believed—or wanted to believe—that it wouldn't go any further.
The office door opened.
Colonel Marcus Hendricks, Derek's military lawyer and his old friend from the Navy Legal Corps, entered with a thick folder under his arm. His face was serious. More so than usual. Zoe watched him as he closed the door behind him.
No one needed to ask.
Hendricks placed the folder on the table, sat down, and let out a slow sigh. His eyes met Derek's first.
"The case will go to trial."
The silence fell like a muffled explosion.
Angela's eyes widened. Talia leaned forward. Bradford frowned and shook his head. Grey straightened in his chair.
Derek didn't move. He just blinked. Once.
Zoe broke the silence, her voice lower than usual.
"Sorry. Is this final?"
"We received confirmation today at 6:32 a.m. The federal military prosecutor assigned to the case decided there is sufficient legal basis to open formal proceedings. The charge is homicide of civilians during an operation on foreign territory. The trial will be under the Code of Military Justice."
Angela exploded:
"This is absurd! After everything he's done, after everything he's given for this country?!"
Hendricks didn't respond. He knew any rational argument now would sound like an insult.
Derek finally spoke. His voice firm but distant.
"What is the basis of the charge?"
"Two main factors," Hendricks replied, opening the file. "A report declassified due to political pressure on Congress, with alleged testimony from a local informant who claims the three targets were unarmed and, according to him, had been subdued before being executed. And a protocol failure: there was no official recording of the entry, and the weapon found was disassembled and out of reach of the bodies."
Bradford stood up abruptly, pacing the room in circles.
"Is that all they need now? An anonymous report and a weapon ten feet away? This is war! Not a condominium trial!"
Zoe leaned in, cool and controlled.
"Who authorized this movement?"
"Central Command in Norfolk. There was outside influence. I believe someone in Washington is looking for a 'showcase' to show that the system is capable of punishing even its best."
Grey murmured:
"This is theater."
Angela turned to Derek, eyes welling.
"They want to turn you into a symbol. Of something you never were."
Derek remained silent for several long seconds. Then he looked at Hendricks.
"When does it start?"
"Preliminary hearing in seven days. Military tribunal in Pendleton."
Derek just nodded. He lowered his head. And for the first time, he let his weight show. The muscles in his jaw twitched. His shoulders slumped slightly.
11:09 AM – Police Station Parking Lot
The side gate opened. A silver SUV pulled in slowly, stopping beside the service entrance. Angela watched out the window when she saw who got out.
John Davis. Tall, firm, but with a tense face.
Elizabeth Davis, elegant as always, but her eyes were teary even behind her sunglasses.
And, between them, Angel Davis, Derek's younger sister. Black T-shirt, backpack over her shoulder, pale face. She was paler than Angela had ever seen her.
They entered the police station accompanied by an administrative officer, who led them to the conference room. When the door opened and Derek saw his parents, he stood up.
John was the first to hug him. Tightly, as if trying to protect him with his own body.
"We're here, son."
Elizabeth hugged him soon after, burying her face in his chest.
"We'll get through this. All together."
Angel was the last. She opened her arms and threw herself at him like a child again.
"I know you. They can't erase who you are."
Zoe, Grey, Angela, Talia, and Bradford stepped aside. Hendricks watched them, in respectful silence.
"The hearing is in Pendleton," Hendricks said. "But the battle begins now. We need witnesses, records, any material that demonstrates your conduct during and outside of combat."
John took a deep breath.
"I have all the decoration documents. And letters from commanders. We'll gather everything."
Elizabeth stepped forward.
"I know judges, prosecutors, senators. I'll activate every connection I have."
Angel took his brother's hand.
"And I'll talk to your friends. Your schoolmates. Everyone. They'll know who you are."
Angela stepped forward.
"And we… here, we'll gather reports, dashcam footage, anything that proves you're what you've always been: a protector."
Zoe spoke, for the first time in a solemn tone.
"We'll defend Derek Davis with everything we've got. Because if he falls… what else do we have left?"
Bradford nodded.
"He won't fall. Not with us by his side."
And that morning, under the cold lights of the police station, a silent trench formed. Not of weapons. But of convictions.
Derek Davis's war was just beginning.
But he wouldn't be alone.
Happy new year!!!
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