Chapter 13 - Vaughn Finally BreaksDerek Vaughn had remained silent for weeks.
Then prosecutors showed him the evidence.
Videos.
Messages.
Bank records.
Statements from thirty-eight soldiers.
Vaughn realized Rourke could no longer protect him.
He asked for a deal.
Lena attended part of his testimony.
Vaughn admitted intimidating complainants.
He admitted targeting Ruiz.
He admitted deliberately provoking Lena.
But he insisted he never intended to seriously injure anyone.
“Why Lena?” an investigator asked.
Vaughn stared at the table.
“Rourke said she wouldn't stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Writing.”
The answer was almost absurd.
A network worth millions had become frightened of a private with a pen.
Vaughn revealed something else.
Rourke had ordered him to humiliate Lena publicly.
Not merely frighten her.
Destroy her credibility.
Make her look unstable.
Make other soldiers laugh.
Because once people laugh at someone, they become less likely to believe them.
Lena finally understood the purpose of the mess hall.
It had never been about a table.
May you like
It had been about making the truth look ridiculous.
And it almost worked.
Related Stories
