“You hear that? She's threatening me now.”
Hayes didn't even glance at them.
“No, Sergeant. I'm warning you.”
Walker let out a bitter laugh.
“Do you think that uniform makes you untouchable?”
“No.”
“Then stop acting like it.”
Hayes took a small step forward.
“I'm not the one acting untouchable.”
For the first time, Walker seemed unsure of what to say.
But his pride wouldn't allow him to retreat.
He pointed toward the enormous hangar doors.
“Get out.”
Hayes didn't move.
“I'm not finished.”
“I said GET OUT!”
His voice bounced off the steel walls.
A young lieutenant near the maintenance office immediately looked toward the entrance.
Someone was coming.
But Walker was too busy arguing to notice.
Hayes raised her hand, pointing directly at him.
“That's enough. Be quiet.”
The words were sharp and unmistakable.
“Stop talking and listen for once.”
Walker's eyes widened.
“Who do you think you are?”
Hayes held his stare.
“Someone who has given you more respect than you've earned.”
The silence that followed was almost unbearable.
Walker looked around, realizing that every person in the hangar was watching.
His face turned red.
He abruptly turned away.
“This is ridiculous.”
He started walking toward the maintenance office, muttering under his breath.
Hayes watched him go.
“Sergeant Walker.”
He stopped but didn't turn around.
“Don't walk away from me.”
Walker slowly looked over his shoulder.
“You're not my commander.”
A new voice interrupted.