Some of that may have been true.
But then prosecutors asked about me.
Why shave Colonel Ellison’s head?
Ryan answered, “She needed to miss the ceremony.”
Who decided that?
“My mother.”
Did you object?
A pause.
“No.”
Why?
Another pause.
“Because Mara listened to the Army more than she listened to me.”
There it was, simple and rotten at the core.
Not fear.
Not confusion.
Entitlement.
He believed my obedience had been owed, and every achievement I earned outside him felt like theft.
When prosecutors asked about the forged credentials at the gate, he said he only wanted to talk.
They showed him the fake authorization letter claiming I was under domestic medical supervision.
He stopped talking.
Linda did not cooperate.
Linda fought.
She accused Ryan of lying. Accused investigators of fabricating. Accused me of using military influence. Accused Sarah of being jealous, Alina of being unstable, Diane of being senile, Jenna of seeking attention.
