Raines’ eyes narrowed.

“Why have you been collecting signatures?”

“Because my ammunition changed twice without authorization.”

The evaluator looked up sharply.

“What?”

Avery explained that sealed boxes assigned to her lane had been replaced before two earlier tests.

Both replacement lots produced inconsistent velocity.

Each time, Raines blamed her shooting.

Miles had begun photographing the lot numbers.

Ward held out her hand.

Chapter 5 - The Brass Cartridge

Miles opened a small evidence pouch from his range bag.

Inside lay one spent brass cartridge.

He had recovered it after Avery’s previous qualification attempt.

The casing carried a lot code that did not match the ammunition listed on the official range sheet.

Raines’ voice sharpened.

“You removed government property.”

Miles did not flinch.

“I reported it.”

“To whom?”

“You.”

That silenced the line.

Miles had submitted a written discrepancy report four days earlier.

Raines claimed he never received it.

Ward checked her tablet.