The evening staff tried to assure him they could handle overnight monitoring, but Elijah refused to leave. He positioned himself near the coffin, parade rest stance, his bearing making it clear he wouldn't be moved. "I can bring you coffee," Tonya offered. "Maybe some dinner? " Elijah shook his head. "I'm fine here. " She studied him for a moment.
"You know, most casualty escorts would have just filed protests through channels, let the system work it out. Most casualty escorts didn't watch this soldier's mother fight back tears while remembering his warning call. " Elijah straightened his uniform jacket. Most didn't see unexplained bruises that don't match official reports. And most weren't ordered to stay quiet about it all. What's your next move?
First, I protect him through the night. Then tomorrow we start asking harder questions. He met her gaze. Whatever happened to Noah Mercer, someone's working very hard to keep it hidden. That ends now.
The mortuary annex lights hummed softly as evening deepened into night. Elijah remained at his post, standing guard over more than just a flag-draped coffin. He was protecting the chance for truth, for justice, for a mother's right to know what really happened to her son. He had crossed a line, chosen a side. There would be consequences.
But watching over the dead with honor meant more than ceremony. It meant ensuring their stories weren't buried with them. The fluorescent lights of the mortuary annex cast a sterile glow across the hallway where Elijah sat in an uncomfortable metal chair. His dress uniform remained crisp despite the late hour, a testament to decades of discipline. The secure room holding Noah's coffin lay just behind him.
Its door marked with official clearance signs. Tonya's footsteps echoed as she approached, carrying two paper cups of coffee. It's not great, but it's hot, she said, handing one to Elijah. Building services coffee. Probably been sitting since this afternoon.
Thank you. He accepted the cup, more for something to hold than any desire to drink. She leaned against the wall, her airport operations badge catching the harsh light. I've been checking the incident reports from earlier. It's not good, sergeant.
Holloway's already filed his version of events. Claims you were combative and non-compliant during a routine security check. Of course, he did. Elijah's voice remained level, but his grip tightened on the coffee cup. They're trying to paint you as the aggressor.
Kessler's report backs Holloway completely. Says you refused basic commands and made threatening movements. She shook her head. They're building a narrative. Witnesses filmed everything.
The truth is out there. Truth needs advocates, especially when systems close ranks. Tonya checked her phone. The hold order's still in place. No movement on lifting it.