Page 66 of Alpha

“Dr. Roberts is my uncle. At that moment, I needed my uncle more than the general.”

“Okay. Then what happened?”

“My head hurt, and I felt a goose egg where I’d hit the wall. I saw blood on my fingers. My uncle picked up after a few rings.” My memory went back to that moment as I continued to tell my story.

“Ivy?”

“Uncle,” I tried to make sense, “I, I don’t know what happened, but he was here, and—”

“Who was there?” His voice turned serious. “Where are you?”

“I’m at my office. Reid, please…” Suddenly, my office door opened, and his murderous eyes found me. “Noo!” I screamed.

Someone’s hands were on my arms, and I struggled and screamed, then realized it wasn’t him. It was one of the patrol soldiers who’d come by to do a swipe of my area. He’d found one of his men unconscious outside my office door.

I shook my head free of the memory and quickly wiped my eyes with a tissue. My focus came back to the courtroom. Frank’s eyes were on Ty who leaned forward in his seat.

“No further questions at this time.” My advocate nodded at some paperwork in his hands.

Ben Oliver’s advocate stood, and now it was his turn to fire away. He asked a few questions about Jennifer and her TikTok videos, and I answered them the best I could.

“Let’s back up here for a moment,” he said as he looked at his notes. “What happened after you spoke to your uncle about what happened?”

“The next day, Dr. Roberts found me another position out of state.”

“Which is?”

“I can’t say.”

“Please, Dr. Knight,” he basically rolled his eyes at the witness stand, “we need that information to move forward.”

“If you’d like the location of where I’m staying, you’ll have to speak to General Brandon Frank.” She pointed across the room at Frank. “Like this case, I’m bound by the law to keep some information private.”

“But you didn’t keep your word, Dr. Knight, did you?” Ben’s JAG lawyer lifted some papers and read something. “You—”

“I did, actually,” I cut him off. I knew where he was headed. “I made a deal to use myself and Jennifer Oliver to lure Private Oliver out into the open so we could do what your people, sir, could not.” Ty and Frank tried to hide their amusement. “I tried to help your client, but he was too far gone before I could help him. I didn’t see the signs before his last tour, and that’s something that will weigh on me for the rest of my career. But don’t sit here and question my professionalism. Not until you, sir, have sat in my chair.”

“Dr. Knight, if you—”

“I’ve answered all your questions willingly and did my part for you in this case,” I interrupted. “I know my rights and what was expected of me here today. If you have any more questions regarding me, the whereabouts of where I’m staying, or anything else, you can contact my JAG lawyer, Sloane Black.” He pressed his lips together and looked irritated. He knew he couldn’t press on because I’d done my part and then some. “I’m now finished. The rest is up to you.”

“I have no further questions for you, Dr. Knight, and we thank you for being here today.” He inclined his head with a grim face.

I hooked my bag over my arm and stood with relief. I looked at Ty, and he got up along with Frank, and we all walked quickly out the door. I was happy in the belief that I could leave that chapter of my life forever.

Ty

Chamness and Davie, who decided to return home as well, were in the SUV ahead of us. I wanted as much alone time as possible, so it worked out well that Daniel had left his SUV at the airport the day before and we got to drive it back.

“Feel better?” I threaded my fingers through Ivy’s as she tucked her phone back into her bag.

“Yes, I really do. I filled Sloane in on everything, and she’ll be ready if Ben’s lawyer should come back at me for the location of the house. I’ve also made an appointment with my uncle to make sure I keep on track up here.” She tapped her head.

“You impress me, Dr. Knight.” I squeezed her hand, amazed by how assertive she was. “So many people refuse to consider their mental health, but you face it head on.”

“Because I know it works, and I know how important it is when you ignore it.” She looked out the window as if she slipped into a memory.

“And you’re okay with the fact that your uncle is the one you go to?” I wondered how that worked between them.

---