After Midnight Read Online Free Page A

business discussing Sergeant Babcock with his former spouse, the despair in the woman’s face dragged her in.
    “Did you try counseling?”
    “We went to the chaplain. The mental health clinic. Finally a private counselor. The more Eddie swore he forgave and forgot, the guiltier I felt. It got so I couldn’t stand to have him look at me, let alone touch me. That’s when… That’s when we he started drinking.”
    She picked at the tissue shreds, her shoulders slumping. “It’s funny when you think about it. Once we separated, I qualified for a training program for displaced homemakers. Now I’m starting a career in banking I never wanted and Eddie’s losing the only one he’s ever known.”
    Her gaze lifted to Jess, begging for understanding, for leniency, for anything that might help the man she’d hurt so badly.
    “He dried out after the DUI. He really did. This latest binge…” She lifted a hand, let it drop. “Our divorce was final two days ago. It hit him. Really hard. Please, colonel. Give him another chance.”
    The weight of her command sat heavy on Jess’s shoulders. “I’ll take what you’ve told me into consideration when I talk to Sergeant Babcock this afternoon.”
    It was all she would promise. All she could promise. Whatever had started Ed Babcock’s slide into alcohol, he was the only one responsible for its impact on his duty performance.
     
     
    The formalities of the official process cloaked her interview with the sergeant later that day. Offering punishment under Article 15 was a ritual, scripted out move for move, word for word. Babcock reported in, saluted, stood at attention until she returned his salute and indicated he should take the chair in front of her desk.
    The First Sergeant, with the diamond embroidered onto his stripes to indicate his top position in the squadron, took a seat off to Jess’s right. The message was unmistakable. He was part of the command team.
    Following the script, Jess read charges against Sergeant Babcock. Violation of Article 108 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, destruction of military Property. Violation of Article 134, drunk and disorderly Conduct. Article 92, failure to obey a lawful order to cease and desist. Article 95, resisting arrest.
    After summarizing the information on which the charges were based, Jess stated that she intended to impose punishment for these offenses unless he requested trial by court martial.
    “I’m required to inform you that the maximum penalties I can impose upon you include forfeiture of one half of your pay for two months, sixty days restriction to your quarters, forty-five days extra duty, thirty days confinement, reduction in rank of one grade, and/or a written reprimand.”
    The list was daunting, but all parties present knew that a military court could impose much more severe sanctions.
    “If you demand trial by court-martial in lieu of punishment under Article 15, these charges could be referred for trial by either a summary, special, or general court martial. At trial, you have the right to be represented by counsel. Do you understand your choices in this matter?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    The answer was short, almost curt. Ed Babcock had been down this road before.
    He wasn’t quite what Jess had expected. For some reason, she’d formed a mental image that complimented his slender, almost diminutive ex-wife. Sergeant Babcock stood about five-six or seven, but his barrel chest and wrestler’s body gave the illusion of a good deal more height and muscle power. The knife-edged creases in his starched fatigues could have cut glass, and his boots were polished to a sheen that mirrored the overhead fluorescent lights.
    “I’m giving you two days to decide whether you wish to request trial by court-martial,” she informed him. “The first sergeant has set up an appointment for you with the Area Defense Counsel at nine tomorrow morning.”
    “I don’t need to see the ADC. I accept whatever punishment