Mike leapt up on it and went to the bundle, the officer following. "It's Maj. Christopher Pick, sir, or, what's left of him." He pulled down the tarpaulin exposing the top half of the body.
"Oh, my God!" the man gasped. The odor of decay was overwhelming in the confined area. He didn't say another word, but gagged and rushed to lean out the rear of the truck to vomit. Mike covered Chris once again and went to check on him.
"Are you going to be all right?" he asked, rubbing the man's shoulders.
"Yes, I think so!" he told Mike, catching his breath. Jumping down, the officer noticed two MPs arriving at the command post. "You two!" he cried, "Whatever you were doing, forget it! Take your weapons and stand at attention by the back of this truck until relieved."
A look of surprise came across the mens' faces, but they snatched up their weapons and hurried to obey.
"Where is Col. Bristol's office?" Mike asked him, trying to remain calm.
"On the other end of the base. I can show you."
"Good! If you will come with me, I need security men to place him under arrest, and mainly to protect ME from doing what I feel I should do to him! Can you help me?"
"Yes, sir! Let me leave orders with my assistant."
"That's fine!" While he was gone, Mike leapt into the truck again, to strip off the Marine uniform for good. He pulled on his hood and emerged just in time for his partner to meet him.
"Is that you in there, Sergeant?" the other asked, staring at the costume.
"No time for explanations now, sir!" Mike told him, "Let's move out!"
In seconds they were off down the road in the MPs' jeep, Mike's new friend driving. They rushed into Col. Bristol's office, which was located on the first floor of the two story building.
"What the hell's the meaning of this outrage?" the Colonel screamed as Mike and several security personnel burst in, disturbing his paperwork. The others lined up on either side of the door and held their guns at the ready.
"You know very well what!" Mike snapped in a loud voice. "I know what you've been doing....what you're up to! How could you do something so horrible? You're scum, do you know that? Filthy no good scum! I touched him.....I.....I touched the body. I know what you did to him.....everything! I touched him! I know! Now tell me," he cried, letting anger overcome him. Grasping the Colonel by the collar Mike pushed him against the rear wall, lifting him off the floor. "Where is it? Where are you holding them?"
"I don't know what you mean!" Bristol choked.