You will not put your hands on me or jostle that soldier again. Are you threatening an officer? Holloway's hand moved to his weapon. I am stating a fact, Elijah replied. That young man died serving his country.
I will not allow you to disrespect his remains. Oh, now you're allowing things? Holloway sneered. Getting pretty bold for someone who can't even prove he belongs here. An airline employee stepped forward.
Officers, I can verify Stay out of this! Holloway shouted without taking his eyes off Elijah. This man is becoming unstable. Kessler, call for backup. Elijah stood impossibly straighter, his shoulders square.
The only instability here is your judgment, Sergeant Holloway. I have shown you my military ID, my escort orders, and my transport authorization. Yet, you continue to treat me like a threat. Because you're acting like one, Holloway said, "Refusing commands, making threats. " I have made no threats, Elijah cut in. I have stated military protocol and insisted on basic dignity for a fallen soldier.
Your assumptions about me say more about you than they do about me. The terminal had gone deathly quiet, except for the sound of phones recording. The crowd had grown larger, with airport staff and delayed passengers gathering at the edges of the confrontation. Last chance, Holloway growled. Step away from the casket or we'll remove you and detain you for interference with security operations.
I will not abandon my post. Elijah's voice carried clearly through the terminal. Private Mercer's mother is waiting for her son. She trusted me to bring him home with honor. I swore an oath.
Your oath means nothing here. My oath means everything. Elijah's words cut like steel. That oath is why I'm still standing here, maintaining my bearing, while you threaten and disrespect both me and this fallen soldier. Kessler's radio crackled.
Backup is 2 minutes out, Sarge. Good. Holloway smiled coldly. We'll see how much attitude you have in holding. A sharp voice rang out from behind the crowd.
What the hell is going on here? The sea of onlookers parted as a woman in a dark blue blazer pushed through. Her airport operations badge identified her as Tonya Ruiz, and her bearing screamed military background. She took in the scene, the shifted coffin, Holloway's aggressive stance, Elijah's rigid posture, the crowd of witnesses with phones raised, and her expression darkened. "Who authorized this stop? " she demanded.
"Who gave the order to interfere with a military casualty transport? " Tonya Ruiz surveyed the scene, her eyes moving from the shifted coffin to Elijah's ramrod straight posture, then to Holloway's aggressive stance. Her jaw tightened as understanding dawned across her face. "I'm the operations manager for this terminal," she announced, her voice carrying authority earned from years of military service. "Someone better explain why you're harassing a casualty escort. " Holloway turned, maintaining his authoritative tone. "We received a report of suspicious activity. " "Suspicious? " Tonya cut him off, gesturing at Elijah's immaculate dress uniform.