The Major's Wife. Anthony Whyte

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СКАЧАТЬ you got it. This time you’re driving,” Sharkey said to his partner. “We’ll be in touch,” he said, waving to the military investigators, Captain Blackbird and Sgt. Eubanks.

      “They seem young to be doing this type of job,” McAlister said when they got in the unmarked car.

      “Remember those were your words when the chief hears it back, and he gets mad,” Sharkey smiled.

      CHAPTER

      5

      From Enterprise through Fort Rucker and Daleville, news of the aviator’s demise spread like Napalm fire in a Vietnamese rice field. Homicide investigations led by Detectives Sharkey and McAlister made inquiries throughout King’s close friends and colleagues. With the notable exception of his in-laws, his friends were all saddened by the news. Diana’s parents were opposed to the marriage. The investigators found that while her mother was reserved with any opinions opposing the wedding, Diana’s father openly showed his animosity toward the union. On different occasions, he had made his known to several friends who cared to listen.

      Her family did not wholly ostracize Diana, but both parties hadn’t shared a Thanksgiving meal in some time. However, the families were attempting to fix the icy relations. The warm feeling started to brew once Diana’s family got wind that the union was on the rocky side. Friend and confidant, Dr. Ruth Janopolis, was routinely providing therapy for the couple. The police kept her as a person of interest. Sharkey and McAlister went through the list of close friends, starting with Lieutenant Andrew Gatlin. He agreed to meet them at his house.

      Both Gatlin and his wife were hospitable. Coffee and pecan pie were offered to the detectives as they sat down listening. After a couple of minutes, it was clear that the couple were straightforward, and corroborated Diana’s account of the day playing golf. Their time of departure from the golf course and the plans to meet for dinner verified the surviving spouse’s statement. Diana was slowly falling on the shortlist of suspects.

      “So, a few of you decided to go to the restaurant as planned, or did you go home?” Sharkey asked.

      “Yes, we were celebrating Chris’ promo. He got his railroad tracks and was scheduled to PCS for Ft. Hood O’ Dark thirty-next morning,” Gatlin said.

      “He did what?” Sharkey asked.

      “He was promoted to captain and was leaving for Texas early the next morning. I’m used to his military jargon,” Mrs. Gatlin explained.

      “So we waited for Vaughn and Diana. Sat around toasting Chris, had a few drinks, then we decided to eat,” Gatlin said.

      “Didn’t anyone found it odd that Vaughn and Diana didn’t show up? I mean you guys were expecting them—” Sharkey said.

      “It was Vaughn and Diana… I mean, most of us thought they went home and decided to get into something else. I called his cellphone, and left several messages,” Gatlin said.

      “What did you think about their disappearance?” Sharkey asked.

      “Nothing…I mean, I was thinking Vaughn was busy working on making a baby, you know he’s been away for close a year…” Gatlin said, and his voice trailed.

      “How did you find out about King’s death?”

      “Laura and I came home. We heard it on the news, AFN,” Andrew Gatlin said.

      “Why did you think he never called you back? Does he return calls or—”

      Shrugging his shoulder, Gatlin said, “It didn’t mean anything to anyone there…at least not immediately. We had a few beers and were chilling. After that, we ate. Vaughn was away from her about a year or so. I wasn’t thinking anything, but that they were getting busy, making you know, love.”

      “When you heard you the news, what was going on in your mind?”

      “Damn, I was in shock. First, I thought the news got it all wrong. I mean…everything was going on. I told my wife to call Diana, and I called Vaughn’s cellphone. I got no answer. And I started calling other people. They were getting the same news was hinting that it could’ve been a terrorist hit. I mean, Vaughn is six-four and well trained. He was an excellent fighter. We thought that the way it happened that this had to be some kind of planned hit. Maybe terrorist, I mean, the whole base immediately went on a higher level of alert.”

      “This war has everyone going crazy… At any minute, things could just explode. I don’t know why we let known or suspected terrorists into the country,” Mrs. Gatlin sighed then said, “More tea, anyone?”

      “No thanks,” the detectives chorused.

      Things got interesting when Sharkey asked, “How long have you guys known the Kings?”

      “Andy came in the service with Vaughn, and I sort of met both Vaughn and Diana through my husband,” Mrs. Gatlin said.

      “Oh I see,” Sharkey said, nodding. Then he studied Andrew Gatlin for a beat before he continued. “What about you, Andy?”

      “I’ve known Vaughn and his family since our days as plebes at West Point. Despite having a different skin color, Vaughn and I were pretty tight. We were best friends. Vaughn was a great aviator and one of the best officers,” Andrew Gatlin said, bowing his head.

      “What about his wife? How long have you known her?” Sharkey asked.

      “I met her back in two thousand and two when Vaughn and I did our pre-training psych eval. She was interning with Dr. Janopolis. Vaughn and Diana hit it off. Her younger brother, Bradley, was in the marines. We used to tease her about him being a jarhead until she told us that he was KIA. That was a pretty bad time for her. I guess it was about that time that Vaughn and her got real serious about each other.”

      “Did you ever meet her brother?” Sharkey asked.

      “Yes, he visited home before he shipped out, and we all hung out. He was a cool dude. Diana was very close to him. She was like his mother, always fussing about him, and all…” Andrew Gatlin said then his voice lowered, and trailed off.

      The house suddenly became very silent. It was apparent that Andrew was going through emotional changes in talking about this part of his life. Sharkey watched and waited for a couple of beats. When there was nothing else coming from Andrew, Sharkey looked at Mrs. Gatlin. She was in tears.

      “I know this must be hard for you both, but we’re trying to solve a murder. And anything you say may help us fin the killer that’s walking around loose. Do you know anyone who wants to kill Vaughn?”

      “Detective, Vaughn was six-four and a very skilled fighter. He was skilled in Tae Kwando, Ha Kido, and Jujitsu, Vaughn was no one to mess with—”

      “Well, none of those martial arts saved him—” McAlister said, and Sharkey interrupted.

      “I got it. Vaughn was a well- qualified fighter, but did Vaughn have a hot temper too, and?” Sharkey asked.

      “What…? Vaughn…?”

      “Yes, was he a hothead when he drank? Did he have any problems with alcohol?”

      “Detective, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were disrespectful СКАЧАТЬ