Chapter 15 - Nathan’s ChoiceInvestigators eventually gave Nathan Mercer a choice.
Not between guilt and innocence.
Between defensiveness and cooperation.
He chose cooperation late.
But chose it.
He turned over personal emails.
Disclosed conversations with Glenn.
Admitted discussing audit frustrations at home.
Admitted telling Tyler:
“People like Hale think paperwork matters more than Marines.”
When I heard that, I laughed bitterly.
Nathan asked to speak.
We met with counsel present.
“You said that?”
“Yes.”
“In front of Tyler?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I was angry.”
“Did you know he was harassing people?”
“Not the extent.”
“Did you know he had discipline problems?”
“Yes.”
“Then why talk about me like an enemy?”
Nathan looked down.
“Because I was arrogant enough to believe he could separate my professional frustration from his own.”
I appreciated the honesty.
“I did not make him hurt Bruno.”
“No.”
“I need you to say that.”
“I already have.”
He looked at me.
“But?”
“But parents teach children what deserves contempt.”
He absorbed that.
“You taught him that oversight was contemptible.”
Nathan closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
That was his betrayal of the institution.
Not commanding his son to attack me.
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Something subtler.
Teaching disrespect for accountability while holding command authority.
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