Free The Final Line by Kendall McKenna Page B

hands on someone he cared about, in any way other than to bring him pleasure. “I don’t know shit about what made you do something like this. You’re a goddamn United States Marine, Nygaard. Stop making excuses for yourself and man the fuck up.”
    Nygaard’s knuckles were white as he gripped the edge of the bench. “Come on, Corey, you know how the women get over there. They get up in our grills and screech at us like they’re losing their minds.”
    “Staff Sergeant Yarwood,” Corey corrected Nygaard. This was an official meeting. They weren’t friends and Corey wasn’t going to allow informality between them. “Christ,” he spat with revulsion, “they’re never a threat to us. We’re fucking Marines. If you can’t give me a real reason why you had them call me, I’m fucking out of here.”
    “You know what they did to us that day,” Nygaard blurted angrily, his face ruddy and spittle landing on his lower lip. “You know what they made us do to them.”
    Corey swallowed against a suddenly tight throat. Nothing happened that day that could justify Nygaard’s actions. He started pacing the very short length of the cell. Corey changed tactics, hoping to shut Nygaard down so he could take Sean and just get the fuck out of here. “How does anything that happened over there justify what you just did to an innocent civilian?”
    “I didn’t know who she was.” Nygaard’s eyes were wild. “I didn’t know where I was. I woke up with her in my arms, covered in blood, and all I could think about was that poor man we put on the hood of the Humvee.”
    Corey came to an abrupt halt, heart in his throat. A chill swept through him. “What the fuck are you talking about?” Anyone they transported in that manner wasn’t deserving of a Marine’s pity.
    “She was so bloody. I couldn’t recognize her.” Nygaard stared at his own trembling hands as if he was seeing them for the first time. “The only thing I could think about was that day.”
    “You’re so full of shit.” Corey knew his voice was raised. “I’m fucking out of here.”
    “This is your fucking fault!” Nygaard shouted, coming up off the bench. “I was following your orders!”
    Corey turned back, arms tense at his side and he prepared to take on the threat. There was movement outside of the cell and Corey assumed it was the deputies preparing to intervene.
    “I didn’t order you to murder your girlfriend with your bare hands!” Corey yelled, pointing a single finger at Nygaard for emphasis.
    “You ordered me into that house. You ordered me to handle it!” Nygaard stepped forward and wrapped his fist in Corey’s shirt.
    Corey dealt with the threat in front of him. He twisted Nygaard’s wrist and freed his shirt. Cory wrapped his free hand around Nygaard’s throat and used it to pin him to the clear wall of the cell.
    The cell door slid open and there were many sets of hands on him. They pulled and tugged at his arms and shoulders. Corey released Nygaard and allowed himself to be dragged from the cell.
    Several deputies led him back to Sergeant Lopez’ office. Lopez came out and looked him over. “You okay, Staff Sergeant?”
    Behind him, Sean watched Corey with a mixture of concern and wariness. Corey’s heart sank. He’d forgotten Sean was here. He hadn’t wanted him to witness this ugly side of Corey.
    “I’m fine,” Corey replied contritely. “I’m sorry about that. I know I wasn’t supposed to touch him.” It was like he’d been in combat. His heart raced and he couldn’t get enough air in his lungs. Everything was brighter, clearer, and louder. Corey clenched and unclenched his hands, trying to ease the feeling they were being stabbed by a thousand pins and needles.
    Lopez shook his head. “Nothing to be sorry for. A murder suspect physically assaulted you and you defended yourself until we could extract you.”
    Corey snorted at the collusion. “I don’t think I was any help. He’s not making any sense. If