Kaffee meets Jack Ross, the prosecutor in the trial. Ross offers Kaffee a deal in which the men would plead guilty to manslaughter and in exchange would receive a reduced sentence. Kaffee tries to haggle for an even shorter sentence, claiming that Santiago’s death was accidental. Ross mentions that Kendrick specifically told the Marines “not to touch Santiago” (32). Kaffee delays making any deal until he returns from his meeting with Jessup. Galloway, having failed to have Kaffee removed from the case, announces that she’ll accompany Kaffee to Cuba.

Later, Kaffee visits Weinburg’s house. Kaffee reveals that he’s hesitant to accept Ross’s offer. While Weinburg encourages Kaffee to take the deal, Kaffee admits that he’s beginning to have doubts about the case.

In a flashback to before Santiago’s murder, Kendrick holds a meeting. Downey is absent because his jeep broke down while he was on patrol. Santiago is also absent, as Kendrick has excused him from the meeting. Kendrick criticizes Santiago for embarrassing the Marines. He makes the men repeat their codified list of priorities: “Unit, Corps, God, Country” (36). Kendrick instructs the men not to touch Santiago. After dismissing most of the Marines, however, he turns to Dawson.