“You failed the open-water navigation test during Hell Week,” Vance said, keeping his heavy palm pressed flat on the wood.

“You froze thirty feet down in salt water during the pool competency evolution, and they dropped you to administrative recruiting duty.”

Wyler opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out past his collar.

“You’ve spent four days trying to humiliate an eleven-year-old boy and an EOD Master Chief because you couldn’t earn the uniform you’re trying to audit,” Vance said.

Principal Thorne stepped up, reached past Wyler’s shoulder, and gently pulled the black mic cord out of his hand.