He took it back to the place, and started to dig as fast as he could. He was almost in tears when a quarter of the way down he threw aside the shovel and began to dig with his hands. The uniform he wore was getting filthy but he didn't care. About three feet under he touched something that felt like human flesh. Swallowing hard, he brushed away the soil from what he found to be the body of a man, and looked at it in horror and revulsion. It was the body of Chris Pick, but it showed the signs of having been tortured in almost every manner possible, the final cause of death being strangulation with a rope, which still hung around the blonde youth's neck.
Mike gingerly brushed more dirt from what had been Chris Pick's face, so identification would be a certainty.
"My God! How COULD they.....how could anyone do this to another living being? How could they?" Mike managed to say, that sick feeling enveloping his entire soul. Having touched the body, he could feel and see everything that happened to Chris Pick that led to his death. He trembled and felt the man's shame as he was tortured, the rope tighten, and his last futile gasps for breath. The feelings running through him were so overwhelming they brought more anger than tears. Mike climbed to the lower edge of the grave. He flung his cap to the ground, then raised his arms out to his sides as if begging for an answer from The Hereafter.
"Why?" he screamed at the top of his lungs, "Why? How could they do this to anyone? Why?" After a few minutes Mike knew exactly where he had to go and what he must do. He went back to the shed and dug out a large piece of tarpaulin used to cover the orange trucks. He brought it back and wrapped the body in it carefully. After replacing his cap on his head Mike picked up the bundle, cradling it gently in his arms. He flew off toward the base. Landing at the gate, he found Green was still there.
"What've you got there, son?" he asked.
"It's the body of Major Chris Pick. You'd better send word to Washington that I think I've solved our mystery. I'm on my way to clear things up now. Do you have a vehicle on its way to the Commander's office? I need a lift."
"Yes, sir! I have someone right here who can drive you!"
There was a large supply truck ready to leave the area, but the driver was ordered to take Mike and his grim cargo to the office. He placed the body in the covered rear of the vehicle and they were off.
The driver left Mike alone to go for lunch, after parking at the curb in front of the building. Luckily, for him, his passenger thought. Green must've called ahead to tell the Commander he was going to have a visitor. One of his aides was outside in no time.
"What've you got there, son?" the middle aged, mustached man asked, hurrying to the rear of the truck.