Chapter 10 - The Scar Beneath the White Uniform.
Judge Sloan ordered both women to sit.
Evelyn ignored her.
"My attorney may be corrupt, but her fraud existed before he ever touched this case."
"Mrs. Whitmore," the judge warned.
Evelyn stepped into the aisle.
"Ask her where she was wounded."
Claire felt every eye in the courtroom move toward her.
"Ask her what ship."
Evelyn's voice shook with rage.
"Ask her for the names of the people who supposedly watched her become a hero."
Owen rose.
"Your Honor, this is improper."
"I know it is improper," Judge Sloan snapped.
"Mrs. Whitmore, return to counsel table."
Evelyn did not move.
"She cannot answer because none of it happened."
Claire looked at the judge.
"May I respond?"
Owen turned sharply.
"Claire."
She heard the warning in his voice.
Judge Sloan hesitated.
"Only within the boundaries of your existing obligations."
Claire unbuttoned the top two fasteners of her white uniform jacket.
The room went silent.
She pulled the fabric aside just enough to reveal the upper end of the scar crossing her chest.
It was thick, pale, and unmistakably severe.
A reporter inhaled loudly.
Evelyn's face changed for half a second.
Then contempt returned.
"A scar proves nothing."
Claire refastened the jacket.
"I agree."
Evelyn blinked.
Claire's voice remained level.
"A scar is not a service record."
She touched the glass medal case.
"A medal without authenticated orders is not a service record either."
She looked directly at Evelyn.
"That is why I have not asked this court to rule on emotion."
The judge leaned forward.
"Commander Rowan, what exactly are you waiting for?"
Claire glanced at Owen.
He leaned close.
His voice was barely audible.
"What are you waiting for?"
Claire answered coldly.
"Authorization."
Evelyn laughed again, but this time the sound was too loud.
Too forced.
"Authorization from your imaginary admiral?"
Claire did not respond.
Judge Sloan checked the clock.
9:18 a.m.
Her forty-eight-hour deadline had expired eighteen minutes earlier.
"I have delayed this ruling as far as I reasonably can," she said.
Owen stood.
"Your Honor, we request one final recess."
"On what basis?"
Owen looked at Claire.
Claire had nothing in her hands.
No document.
No secure message.
No release order.
Owen's confidence finally seemed reckless.
"On the basis that the government has informed us a determination is imminent."
Evelyn's new attorney objected.
Judge Sloan looked tired.
"Ten minutes."
The courtroom emptied halfway.
Claire stayed seated.
Owen checked his phone every thirty seconds.
Nothing.
At 9:27, the deputy called everyone back.
At 9:29, Judge Sloan lifted the ruling draft from her bench.
Claire could see yellow tabs marking the pages.
Evelyn folded her hands and smiled.
Then a sound came from the back of the courtroom.
Heavy metal latches moved at the same time.
Everyone turned.
The large wooden double doors swung open.
An older man in a dark naval uniform stepped through.
Rows of ribbons covered his chest.
Silver stars marked his shoulders.
Claire recognized him before the deputy did.
Her body moved on instinct.
She stood at attention.
May you like
Evelyn gasped.
Admiral Thomas Hale walked down the center aisle carrying a sealed red folder.
