“I’ve got my certified mail receipt and my emergency leave orders right here,” I said.

Captain Holt pulled a folder from his desk and tapped the certified mail receipt clipped to the inside cover.

“This receipt proves your emergency leave orders were delivered to your parents three days ago,” Holt said.

“If Richard claims in open court that he didn’t know your official status, this federal delivery record will expose him as a liar on the spot.”

“The colonel hasn’t signed the administrative hold yet,” Holt went on.