Chapter 6 - Ethan’s Hands
Ethan insisted he had not assaulted me.
“I just grabbed her shoulders.”
The investigator replied:
“Why?”
“To hold her there.”
“Why did she need to be held?”
He had no answer that improved things.
Eventually:
“Jake was joking.”
“Then why physically restrain someone?”
“It wasn’t restraint.”
“What prevented Chief Mitchell from standing?”
Ethan looked down.
“My hands.”
Exactly.
His conduct was treated more seriously than laughing.
Physical contact changes an incident.
He had not injured me.
No bruise.
No pain worth mentioning.
But lack of injury does not transform unwanted physical restraint into humor.
The command referred both men into the appropriate disciplinary process.
No instant expulsion.
No shouting commander smashing careers in one afternoon.
Statements.
Video.
Witnesses.
Counsel.
Review.
May you like
Process.
Military authority is strongest when it does not need shortcuts.
