Ronan: Ziva Payvan Book 3 Read Free Page B

Captain, one that was taken into consideration as we deliberated a verdict.”
    Ziva tensed. At least they were acknowledging the fact that her fate had been predetermined – these games were just wasting everyone’s time. But despite the way Hoxie had just tilted the odds in her favor, she couldn’t bring herself to feel relieved just yet.
    “Lieutenant Payvan, after examining the evidence and taking the witness’s statements into account, this court has elected to drop the charges against you. But make no mistake – this ruling does not by any means condone your actions. You may be the executioner, but leave the judge and jury parts up to us. Understand?”
    She dipped her head. “Yes sir.”
    “As such, you are being placed on disciplinary probation for the duration of one year. You will resume your duties at HSP in a normal fashion, but your actions will be under continuous review by a probation agent from the Royal Offices. Any breach of protocol will result in your immediate termination from the agency and incarceration in the Haphor Facility.”
    The boom of the Grand Magistrate’s gavel hitting the desk sent a jolt through Ziva’s body and echoed through her head, drowning out the shuffling as everyone rose and began to leave. She stood there on the platform, still cuffed, staring straight ahead as her mind struggled to process everything. One year… probation agent… immediate termination… incarceration….
    “I told you it would be okay.”
    Eyes wide and brows knit, Ziva turned and found Baez smiling up at her. “Why didn’t you just tell me?” she said. Why didn’t you warn me?
    “Go get yourself packed. I’ll meet you in the training center with your discharge information.”
    One of the MPs reached up and touched her arm before she could ask further questions. “This way, ma’am.”
    Ziva turned and made her way back down the long platform, watching as the two soldiers who had escorted Hoxie in took hold of the man’s arms and began to lead him out of the room. His green eyes shifted toward Ziva and she slowed.
    “I’m sorry for everything,” he said as the MPs shoved him forward. “I’m glad you were able to stop Dasaro. And…I’m glad you’re okay.”
    Ziva stepped down from the platform and was cut off as one of the soldiers moved cautiously between her and Hoxie. “Why’d you do it?” she called as they hauled him out the door. She paused, recalling the way she’d asked the same thing of Aroska Tarbic when he’d gotten the director to pardon her life after she’d saved him at Dakiti. 
    Hoxie turned back toward her, forcing his escorts to slow down. “After I parted ways with Dasaro, I hid like a coward and did nothing to stop him. Add that to the fact that you could have just as easily killed me that day at the embassy and…it just seemed like the right thing to do.” One of the GA’s armored cars swooped down in front of them and he was hustled into it. “I’m sorry!” he called again. The car door slammed shut and he was gone.
     

-3-
    Rehabilitation Center
    Haphezian Grand Army Base, Na
     
    With a jingle of chains and a soft click, the shackles were removed from Ziva’s wrists. She gave the MP a terse nod; he dipped his head in return and hurried away down the hall, leaving her alone in her little room. She turned and looked over the space, letting her gaze settle on the clothes and boots that had been set out on her bunk. Baez had thought of everything.
    Unsure what exactly she was supposed to be doing, Ziva took up the clothes and went into the room’s tiny lavatory, quickly changing out of her inpatient scrubs. She pulled the clean tank top over her head, pausing a moment to examine the scar that ran along the lower left side of her breastbone. The caura treatment she’d been subjected to had done its work. The scar had been reduced to a thin line, with only a small mass of excess tissue at the exact place Dasaro’s bullet had entered her body.
    Ziva