Hale moved between the two men.
COMMANDER HALE: "Get medical assistance. And secure the corridor cameras."
One of the employees immediately hurried toward the nearest office.
Mercer shook his head.
OFFICER MERCER: "You're making a mistake, Commander."
COMMANDER HALE: "That will be determined after we review what happened."
OFFICER MERCER: "You don't know who this man is."
COMMANDER HALE: "Neither do you, apparently."
Walter slowly lowered his hand from his forehead. Blood had reached the edge of his eyebrow, and a thin streak remained along the side of his face. He looked exhausted, but his eyes were clear.
He bent slightly and reached for the envelope on the floor.
Hale noticed and moved to retrieve it first.
COMMANDER HALE: "Let me get that."
WALTER HAYES: "Thank you."
The commander picked up the envelope carefully. He turned it over, examining the markings. There was no visible sender's name, only a restricted routing code and a handwritten reference number.
Hale's expression changed.
It was subtle, but Walter noticed.
COMMANDER HALE: "Where did you receive this?"
WALTER HAYES: "From a man who asked me to bring it here."
COMMANDER HALE: "What man's name?"
Walter took a moment before answering.
WALTER HAYES: "I was told not to discuss it in the hallway."
Hale looked at him more carefully.
The answer was strange. Not because it sounded suspicious, but because Walter had delivered it with the calm precision of someone following a clear instruction.
Mercer scoffed.
OFFICER MERCER: "There he goes again. Making everything sound like some secret operation."
Walter turned his head toward him.
WALTER HAYES: "Some things are not meant to be discussed in front of everyone."
OFFICER MERCER: "You think you're some kind of intelligence officer?"
WALTER HAYES: "No."
OFFICER MERCER: "Then stop talking like one."
Commander Hale examined the envelope once more. He had seen similar markings during previous assignments, but he could not immediately identify the reference number. It was possible that the document belonged to a restricted department operating elsewhere in the building.
He looked toward the older man.
COMMANDER HALE: "Mr. Hayes, do you have identification?"
Walter nodded slowly.
He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, moving carefully so that nobody would mistake the gesture for a threat. From a worn leather holder, he produced an old identification card and placed it in Hale's hand.
The card had been used for years. Its edges were softened, and the photograph showed a much younger Walter with darker hair and a stronger jawline. The name was clear, as was the record of his naval service.
Hale studied it.
His eyes moved from the photograph to Walter's face, then back to the card.
COMMANDER HALE: "You served in the Navy?"
WALTER HAYES: "Yes, sir."
COMMANDER HALE: "How long?"
WALTER HAYES: "Thirty-two years."
For the first time, Mercer appeared uncertain.
He glanced at the identification card, then at Walter's worn jacket. The information did not fit the image he had already created in his mind. Still, he quickly recovered his dismissive expression.
OFFICER MERCER: "Plenty of people served. That doesn't give anyone permission to ignore security procedures."
WALTER HAYES: "I didn't ask for permission to ignore anything."
OFFICER MERCER: "Then why are you here?"
Walter looked at the envelope in Hale's hand.
WALTER HAYES: "Because someone asked me to bring that document here. And because I gave my word."
The commander remained silent.
He could see that Walter was not trying to impress anyone. There was no prideful performance in his voice, no attempt to use his military history to demand special treatment. The old veteran simply seemed determined to complete the task he had been given.
Hale handed the identification card back.
COMMANDER HALE: "Mr. Hayes, I want you to sit down until medical personnel arrive."
WALTER HAYES: "I would rather stand."
COMMANDER HALE: "You've been injured."
WALTER HAYES: "I've had worse."
Mercer laughed under his breath.
OFFICER MERCER: "Of course you have."
Hale turned toward him.
COMMANDER HALE: "Do you find something amusing?"
OFFICER MERCER: "No, sir."
COMMANDER HALE: "Then stop interrupting."
The commander guided Walter toward a bench positioned beneath a window. The old man moved slowly, one hand resting against his ribs. When he reached the bench, he lowered himself carefully, keeping his back straight despite the pain.
Hale placed the envelope on a nearby table.
COMMANDER HALE: "I need to verify this document before I can take it any further."
WALTER HAYES: "That's understandable."
COMMANDER HALE: "And I need to understand why security was called."
Walter looked toward Mercer.
WALTER HAYES: "You should ask him."
Mercer folded his arms.
OFFICER MERCER: "I already explained what happened. He entered a restricted area and refused to leave."
WALTER HAYES: "I was directed to this corridor."
OFFICER MERCER: "By whom?"
Walter did not answer.
Mercer stepped closer, but Hale raised one hand to stop him.
COMMANDER HALE: "Stay where you are."
OFFICER MERCER: "Commander, with all due respect, you're allowing this man to control the situation."
COMMANDER HALE: "No. I'm allowing him to explain himself without being intimidated."
Mercer's face reddened.