Chapter 4 - THE VIDEO GREGORY WANTED
Ashlynn asked security to preserve Gregory’s recording.
They would not simply hand her his phone.
Correctly.
But the incident report documented that a recording device had been positioned facing the confrontation area.
Ashlynn remembered something else.
Two weeks before the wedding, Gregory had asked her a strange question while they were watching television.
“If somebody surprised you with a punch, would the Marine stuff just kick in?”
Ashlynn laughed.
“What Marine stuff?”
“You know. Reflexes.”
“I’d probably move.”
“What if it was me?”
“I’d hope you wouldn’t punch me.”
Gregory smiled.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
Then, during their rehearsal dinner, he made a joke in front of two friends.
“Never start a fight with Ashlynn. She could kill half the room.”
Everyone laughed.
Ashlynn rolled her eyes.
At the time, it felt like bragging.
Now she wondered whether he had been building a description.
Combat-trained.
Dangerous.
Automatic reflexes.
The ship reached its first scheduled port the following morning.
Ashlynn disembarked separately and checked into a hotel with help arranging independent transportation.
Gregory remained aboard under restrictions while the incident was being addressed according to ship procedures.
Leonard called before noon.
Ashlynn answered once.
“This got completely out of hand.”
“Your son swung a bat at me.”
“I heard you attacked him.”
Ashlynn almost laughed.
“From Gregory?”
“He has video.”
There it was.
“What does the video show?”
“You taking the bat and putting your hand against his throat.”
“Upper chest.”
“You’re a trained Marine.”
Ashlynn closed her eyes.
Leonard continued.
“This can get ugly for both of you.”
“For both?”
“Greg made a mistake. You made one too.”
“No.”
“Ashlynn, think about your career.”
Her eyes opened.
“What about it?”
“You work in safety. Training. Compliance. What happens when your employer sees video of you overpowering your husband on your honeymoon?”
Ashlynn suddenly understood why the camera mattered.
Not proof of Gregory’s innocence.
Leverage.
He attacked first.
He expected her to respond.
Then the recording could be cropped, described, or threatened.
A combat-trained wife overpowering her husband.
A familiar narrative if the beginning disappeared.
Leonard’s voice softened.
“Come home. Sit down with us. We can fix this.”
Ashlynn looked at the guaranty packet on the hotel desk.
“Does fixing it involve Atlantic Meridian?”
May you like
Leonard stopped talking.
There was her answer.
