The Officer's Secret. Debby Giusti

      Before Nate could respond, the front door opened and CID agent Kelly McQueen scurried inside and joined the men in the kitchen. She was blond-haired and blue-eyed and the best marksman in the unit.

      “What do you need me to do?” she asked after Nate filled her in on what they had learned so far.

      “Help me decide where Major Bennett’s sister can stay tonight,” Nate said. “The downtown area has had problems with all the rain. The basement of the Freemont Hotel is flooded, and they’ve shut down temporarily.”

      A number of small motels were located immediately off post, but most of them were fleabag rentals that catered to a transient troop population. At this difficult time, Maggie deserved something more ac com mo dating.

      “I’ve got an extra room,” Kelly volunteered. “She’s welcome to stay at my place.”

      Nate nodded. “That works.”

      Kelly was good at her job and had compassion to embrace someone reeling with grief. Her apartment was directly across from Nate’s in the bachelor officer quarters on post so he would be able to keep an eye on Maggie and offer his support.

      “I’ll have Mills follow us to the BOQ,” said Nate. “He can bring me back here once I get Maggie settled.”

      The corporal responded with a thumbs-up. “Can do, sir. By the way, Ms. Bennett’s driving a silver Saturn. I checked the car and her personal effects. She’s clean.”

      “You need authorization.”

      Mill’s face darkened.

      “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      “What about the wine bottle? Did you find prints?”

      “Negative.”

      Nate turned back to Jamison. “Pull the major’s medical records and see if there’s any history of psychological problems. Also, check with the main gate and find out what time the sister, and any other guests the major may have had this evening, entered post. Question the neighbors in case the major and her husband aired their dirty laundry and find out if any strange cars or visitors stopped by this evening.”

      “Will do,” Jamison said.

      “Lieutenant Colonel Foglio lives across the street,” Kelly volunteered. “That teenage son of his is staying with his dad again.”

      “The one with the tattoos?” Jamison asked. “What’s his name? Carl, Kurt…?”

      “It’s Kyle,” Kelly said. “After the trouble he got into last summer, I didn’t think Lieutenant Colonel Foglio’s current wife would allow the kid back in her house.”

      “Be sure to ask Foglio where his son has been this evening,” Nate said to Jamison.

      “You got it.”

      “Have we located Graham Hughes yet?” Nate asked.

      Jamison pulled a notebook from his pocket. “I called his boss. Graham’s a civilian contractor who works for AmeriWorks. After splitting with his wife, he moved in temporarily with a guy who has the desk next to him in the contracting office. The guy’s name is—” Jamison referred to his notes “Arnold Zart. Travels between Fort Rickman and various forward operating bases in Afghanistan. He’s got an apartment off post.”

      Nate nodded. “Once we get the sister settled in at Kelly’s place, the chaplain and I will pay Mr. Zart a visit.”

      Jamison removed a sheet of paper from his notepad and offered the handwritten note to Nate. “Here’s Zart’s address.”

      “Thanks.” Nate stepped back into the living room and motioned Kelly forward. “Maggie, this is Special Agent Kelly McQueen.” Kelly offered a few words of compassion along with a warm smile.

      “Agent McQueen has a spare room at her place,” Nate continued. “You’ll be able to get some rest there tonight, and we can talk more in the morning.”

      “But I…” Maggie looked around seemingly momentarily confused.

      “I’m going home shortly,” Kelly said. “You and Nate can take your time and come over when you’re ready.”

      With a final smile, Kelly headed into the foyer just as the front door opened once again. Chaplain Grant, a tall lieutenant colonel with a sincere face, stepped inside.

      Nate excused himself from Maggie and approached the chaplain. “Thanks for being here, sir.”

      “Terrible shame.”

      “Yes, sir.” Nate lowered his voice. “Major Bennett and her husband had separated about a week ago. He’s currently staying with a guy who works with him in the AmeriWorks contracting office on post.”

      “Over the phone, Sergeant Thorndike mentioned a sister from Alabama.”

      Nate nodded. “She’s had a rough night. The sister’s the one who found the major’s body.” Nate ushered the chaplain toward the living room, introduced him to Maggie and then stepped back, giving the two of them a bit of privacy while the lieutenant colonel offered words of comfort, which Maggie seemed to appreciate.

      “Have you talked to your brother-in-law?” the chaplain eventually asked her. When she shook her head, Chaplain Grant turned serious eyes toward Nate. “Might be beneficial to have Maggie with us when we notify Mr. Hughes.”

      “Ah, sir—?” Before Nate could register an objection to the idea, the chaplain had refocused his gaze on Maggie.

      “I’m sure you and Mr. Hughes have things you’d like to discuss, concerning your sister’s internment, if you feel up to seeing him at this late hour.”

      Maggie nodded. “You’re right, Chaplain. I… I need to talk to Graham.”

      Nate wasn’t sure whether her current interest in her brother-in-law had to do with discussing the major’s burial or establishing his guilt. Either way, the chaplain had made the offer, and Nate wouldn’t withdraw it now. Besides, seeing the dynamic play out between the victim’s sister and husband might reveal more information than Maggie had been willing to share.

      Touching her elbow, Nate encouraged Maggie to stand. Corporal Mills approached, carrying her coat and handbag, which Nate took from him.

      Nate handed Maggie her purse and helped her with her coat. “If you give me the keys, I’ll have Mills drive your car to the BOQ and leave it there, while you and the chaplain and I talk to Mr. Hughes.”

      “What about Dani?” she asked as she placed the keys in Nate’s outstretched hand.

      “She’ll be taken to the morgue. An autopsy will be performed sometime later today. Once you and Mr. Hughes determine how your sister should be buried, her body will be released to the funeral home. If you’d like, I can help you with the arrangements.”

      Nate was relieved to see her face soften. She attempted to smile. “Thank you.”

      Warmed by her response, he asked, “Is there anyone you’d like to call? A family member? Your mom? Maybe a boyfriend?”

      Her eyes clouded as she shook her head. “My mother died a number of years ago. There’s no one else.”

      Her loneliness in the midst of her grief cut him deeply. Upstairs the sound of footsteps indicated the body was being prepared for transport. It was time to get Maggie out of the house.

      “My car’s outside.” Nate put his hand on the small of Maggie’s back and urged her toward the door Corporal Mills held open. The chaplain grabbed her suitcase and followed them into the damp night air. Maggie wrapped her arms around her waist and accepted Nate’s steadying hand on her elbow as she walked down the steps and settled into the front seat of his car, while the chaplain slid into the rear.

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