Page 119 of Strays
“Now you’ve got him,” Jayme says. “And the DoD is pissed. Which means the MAB made the right call. He’ll reach out this week. In the meantime, he and I are already coordinating.”
He looks at each of us. “From everything he’s told me, the Department of Defense has been pushing for years to gain regulatory oversight over Special Operations. They want at least an integrated command, joint human-aegis supervision. So far, the MAB’s stood their ground, but Special Operations agents charged with assaulting a civilian can give the DoD the leverage they need.”
This doesn’t surprise any of us. Deputy Commander Eneas already told us about the power struggle. We know we’re pawns in a bigger power play.
“Everything about this case is political,” Jayme continues. “That’s why the MAB isn’t looking for a quiet settlement; they want a public win.”
He flips open the folder on the table. “The case is moving, but the DA’s not in a rush. It’s a delicate case, so every move they make has to go through internal review. With everything at stake, they want a clean conviction. You’re being served next week. Arraignment is scheduled for the following Monday. You’ll enter a not-guilty plea. From there, discovery begins and the pre-trial calendar locks in.”
He turns another page in the folder. “The DA hasn’t filed their witness list yet; that won’t happen until after arraignment. But if I know them, and I do, Jo’s name is going to be on it.”
My pulse spikes.
Jay straightens. “They can’t compel her.”
“No,” Jayme says. “As your mate, she’s protected. I can fight a subpoena if it comes.”
Shane’s jaw tightens. “Then do it.”
But Jo speaks before Jayme can answer. “I want to testify.”
All three of us turn.
She doesn’t flinch. “I want to speak for you,” she says. “You didn’t attack someone; you protected me. I know I didn’t react in the best way after it happened, but I’m ready now.”
“Jo—” I start.
But she cuts me off. “I get why you want to keep me out of it, but I’m already in it. This is my story too.”
Jayme clears his throat. “I agree with her. If Jo speaks, we get ahead of the narrative and strengthens your case.” He glances at Jo, then back at us. “But it has to be her choice. Entirely.”
Jo nods once. “It is.”
Even if every instinct in me wants to shield her from this, to keep her name out of the courtroom, what she said is true: this is her story too.
We leave Alice and Jayme’s house just before ten. Jo’s tucked between Jay and Shane in the backseat as I drive us home in silence.
We spend the rest of the week together. Now I understand why we got a full week of heat leave from the garrison, even though heats only last two or three days. It would be unthinkable to leave Jo right after.
Even when the weekend comes and we’re expected back on duty Monday, it’s barely manageable. Ten times harder to be apart from her than it ever was before.
On Sunday, we clean the house together. I’m in charge of the bathrooms, Shane handles the kitchen, Jay’s vacuuming, and Jo’s doing laundry. Still, we stop now and then, just to touch her. A kiss. A hand on her arm. Anything to feel her.
I’m scrubbing her tub in the upstairs bathroom when she walks in. She kissesme as she passes, then stops in front of the hamper and starts sorting clothes. When she grabs one of my pants, a folded piece of paper slips from the pocket and falls to the floor.
She picks it up, brows already pulling together, and I rise to see what it is.
Eme Araña.
My heart skips. I’d forgotten completely. Her heat banished it from my mind.
“It’s from the frostbite investigation,” I explain. “I think I know this doctor, but I can’t remember from where.”
She squints at the paper. “A doctor’s name?”
I nod.
She tilts her head. “It looks like... M. Aranya. Like the letter M, not ‘E-M-E.’ And it’s spelled with a Y, not that Spanish n.”
