Читать книгу The Major's Wife - Anthony Whyte - Страница 6

CHAPTER

3

The next morning Dr. Diana King awoke and glanced at her cellphone. A vast amount of missed calls were littering her caller I.D. log awaited her. Scrolling through them with great haste, Diana decided to call Dr. Ruth Janopolis, her mentor. She was close to both families, and especially to Diane’s.

Dr. Janopolis served as an officer in the United States Army and participated in Operation Desert Shield. Since 1991, Dr. Janopolis provided psychotherapy for returning soldiers. She continued to serve after the victory of the U.S. led coalition forces. Dr. Janopolis’ continual psychotherapeutic research was instrumental in identifying and defining factors combat stress played in military personnel’s high turnover rate.

September 11, 2001, a deadly coordinated attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon resulted in military action. The US-led coalition force successfully carried out a swift, precise response. Despite the successful outcome, Weapons of Mass Destruction allegedly thought to be in Iraq. Many soldiers at U.S. bases were already on full alert status. Prepped, they were ready for deployment to another Gulf War. Because of readiness status, some of these soldiers were participating in multiple Gulf campaigns. As a result, there was a crushing to morale, and retention level reached an all-time low. The work of Dr. Janopolis became a higher priority and proved to be a successful factor in the overseas campaign.

Her research and participation in clinical psychotherapy eventually led to a suitable launching of Dr. Janopolis’ private practice. Her popularity in research magazines and psychotherapy led to a boost in the demands of the doctor. Besides being involved with the treatment of thousands of returning troops diagnosed with combat neurosis, popularly known as Gulf War Syndrome, Dr. Janopolis also did a lecture tour on the college circuit.

On one such tour, Dr. Janopolis met a twenty-year-old graduate student. Diana Cornfield, filled with Southern charm and wit, pursued doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky. Diana found out that the doctor had a practice in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They were both from Alabama, and Janopolis knew Diana’s mother. A very close bond developed between Dr. Janopolis and the young student.

When Diana received news that her younger brother graduated from basic training at Paris Island and was pending deployment to the Persian Gulf, she immediately turned to Dr. Janopolis. The renowned therapist was instrumental in assisting Diana through this period. After graduating, Dr. Janopolis gave Diana the apprenticeship. Diana began interning in the treatment of many postwar, combat fatigued veterans.

Not only were returning soldiers from the Gulf War diagnosed in abundance for medical issues ranging from a skin rash to memory loss, but aviators would also have scheduled training and pre-training psych evaluation. Diana noticed that this was not the same for other military specialties. The discovery drew her curiosity, and while going through files, Diana questioned aviation referrals.

“Dr. Jan, don’t mean to bother you, but I’ve just got one question,” Diana said.

“You’re never bothering me. Ask away, Diana,” Dr. Janopolis said.

“Why does the army aviators get so many referrals for psych eval?”

“Oh yes, those referrals are for pre-training, and during their training, if they have any type of mishap, they’ll be referred.”

“I get all that, but why?”

“I think it has a lot to do with the stress of that particular skill. Aviators have to be responsible for millions of dollars worth of equipment. The army wants to make sure that psychologically they can handle that responsibility. The army only wants the crème de la crème.”

Diana looked up from the patients’ files she was holding and glanced at Dr. Janopolis for a beat. Then she said, “That explains it.”

“The only thing wrong with doing that is we wind up with some of the biggest egomaniacs wearing that aviator’s patch. Some of them can be real psychos—and I mean that in the best way possible. Because to fly those missions they do, you’ve got to be a psycho.”

They both shared the laughter. Then it was back to the business at hand. Since Dr. King interned under the guidance of Dr. Ruth Janopolis, she was also involved with the aviators’ schedule evaluation. Diana was taken aback by their brashness and bravado. They reminded her of her younger brother, Brad, who was now serving in the Gulf War. On a scheduled evaluation, her eyes caught the attention of two Army Lieutenants, Andrew Gatlin and Vaughn King II.

Both young men came on strong, but so did a lot of the military guys. They would drop compliments, and Diana didn’t mind all the attention. She would nip their come-ons in the bud with typical Southern charm. Thanking them gracefully, but never breaking the rule of dating any of the patients. When Lieutenants Gatlin and King tried their luck, it was a no-go. Rejecting their proposal, Diana made the clinic’s policy known to both lieutenants when they first approached.

“My buddy here and I were wondering what’s a pretty woman like you doing here? I say you in between posing jobs. My buddy here thinks you’re some famous actress rehearsing a role,” Lt. King said.

“Well, both you and your buddy are wrong. I am currently doing my doctorate and will be a psychotherapist. Now gentlemen, please have a seat. Before you do, please both take these forms and fill them out correctly. Thank you,” Diana said, declining any further suggestion.

“I could fly you to the moon,” Gatlin offered, walking away. “Are you gonna turn down the moon? I don’t know of anyone who’s turned down the moon…”

When they were alone in an examination room, Gatlin pleaded with Diana. He was ruggedly handsome, and her curiosity was tweaked even further when Gatlin confessed all about a bet he made with King. It seemed as if King was always winning, and going out with him would earn him the only victory over King. Always helpful, Diana fell for the ruse. Despite being forbidden, she went to dinner with Gatlin. Later, Diana would find out that King was in on the trick all the time. However, she maintained a healthy friendship with both men. When Dr. Janopolis realized that Diana broke a rule, Dr. Janopolis let her off with only a stern warning.

“You must adhere to the principle of never dating your clients, Diana. It could come back to bite your professional butt,” Dr. Janopolis said.

“He’s an Army Aviator. They still considered—”

“I already explained their unique situation. Even though we don’t consider aviators our patients, technically they’re our clients even if they’re just here for pre-training eval. And may I suggest that you leave those aviators alone. Because they wear that damn aviation patch, they think they rule the earth.”

“I’ll do as you say, but I understand them a lot better now,” Diana said.

“Really? How so?” Dr. Janopolis asked.

“I found out that in combat, they have evaded enemy fire while flying as close to the tree lines as possible without crashing the army’s five million dollar chopper. And that’s a lot of responsibility.”

“I suppose…that’s why the students get tested so often. You have to pass your tests in flying colors. You have no time for those jocks,” Dr. Janopolis said.

Diana kept her head in her studies. By the end of 2002, under the mentoring and tutorship of Dr. Janopolis, Diana became well groomed. The student was on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a psychotherapist. Mutual love and admiration existed between mentor and student. The following year her certification was granted. Because of the association she had with Dr. Janopolis, Dr. King was allowed to open her practice around the Fort Rucker army base area.

During this time, Diana received the news of her brother’s missing in action status. Even though she was having extraordinary success with her clinical practice, she went through her private hell. When Diana learned the Department of the Army upgraded this status o killed in action, she was living a nightmare. On the one hand, her clientele would reveal all the horrors of performing combat duties, and all this did was a daily reminder Diana of her brother’s demise. The counseling and friendship given by Dr. Janopolis were the only way Diana was able to deal with the death of her brother adequately.

Diana developed a much stronger empathy for her clients dealing with lives lost after the USA’s sovereignty was tested for the second time since Pearl Harbor. Diana King was able to complete her internship at Fort Campbell. With the assistance and efforts of Dr. Janopolis, Dr. Diana King established her therapeutic practice.

Dr. King used Dr. Janopolis’ therapeutic practice as a model to establish referrals as soldiers changed stations. Over the years, the enlightened student and mentor stayed in touch. Later, when King was wedded to Diana, Janopolis served as a marriage counselor for the couple. She was a perfect friend and maintained great trust between herself and Diana. Dr. Janopolis even served as counselor to the newlyweds when Vaughn King completed his initial nine months of training and went directly into combat. Janopolis’ ability to provide comfort was the reason Diana made the call.

“Hi Ruth, thanks for calling… I’m holding up as best as possible. Yes, Ruth,” Diana said then listened for a while before speaking. “You know how much I love my husband. Yes, I’ll have to go down to the stationhouse and speak with the detectives. Oh, you bet, I’ll be aright. No, I’m not taking an attorney. I have a friend there… Sure, I’ll do that if I run into any problems, and I’ll call as soon as possible. I’ll speak to you when you arrive. Thanks again, Ruth…”

Diana ended the call and thought about her mentor. She got dressed and was still deep in thoughts while driving to the Enterprise Police Stationhouse. Dr. Janopolis and Diana worked with dependents and family members who could not cope with losing the primary breadwinner in most households. By providing psychiatric intervention, Dr. Janopolis helped control a mass upheaval in the military family all across the United States.

By 2003, she had recognition for her work in helping troops returning from Desert Storm to Fort Rucker, where posttraumatic stress disorder roamed rampant amongst soldiers. Dr. King was happy to lend her therapeutic skills to address veterans’ psychological issues dealing with helplessness, anxiety, and inability to cope with readjustment problems to regular life.

She was proud of her accomplishments, but now Dr. King did everything to brace herself for the grilling she expected the police would provide. Checking her makeup, Diana got out of the car. Her shapely legs appeared unsteady, and she tried to adjust her mind. Was Diana a suspect in her husband’s murder? She thought about what Dr. Janopolis regarding retaining an attorney, but Diana figured she would take her chances without one.

“Good morning, Dr. King,” a uniformed officer politely smiled, greeting her. Holding the door open to the stationhouse’s entrance, he said, “Come with me, please.”

Dr. Diana King was an avid tennis player and took excellent care of her body. Even though she was wearing a simple Valentino dark-colored business skirt suit, her well-shaped legs commanded everyone’s attention. Eyes followed her every curve as a uniformed officer led her through a hallway full of mostly male police officers.

She saw the look of hunger in their eyes while silent fantasies registered on their lips. Some smiled and nodded, but Diana was distracted. The thirty-three-year-old psychotherapist was usually providing therapy for soldiers returning from the gulf war. Dr. King counseled not only vets but also their psychologically depraved spouses whose husbands and wives had served in the Gulf wars.

An outstanding therapist, Diana King, was used to being in the spotlight. She was a leading researcher in army research and development. King also testified in numerous court hearings, but this was her first time dealing with anything deadly and personal. Inside, she was feeling nervous but carried herself with confidence.

Dr. King tried to keep her mind from being preoccupied, but she could hear the chatter going on between the detectives. The murder of her husband was the topic of their discussion. Diana King held her head straight while being shown to a room where Sharkey sat a desk studying her profile listed in a chart. He was listening to his partner, and a glib private banter was occurring between the detectives. McAlister saw her, broke away, and hurried to greet Diana King. The officer escorting her knocked, and both detectives look up to see her.

“Good morning Dr. King. Come on in,” McAlister greeted and shut the door.

“Good morning, Detective McAlister.”

“Please have a seat.”

“Thank you,” Diana King responded, taking a seat.

Sharkey remained standing and observant while McAlister sat across from Dr. King.

“I know you’re grieving, but thanks for coming in,” McAlister said.

“We’re going to be asking some questions regarding your husband’s death, and you’re going to have to be as candid about your answers some of the questions may come off as—” Sharkey said.

“Are you trying to tell me that I should’ve brought a lawyer?” Dr. King asked, interrupting.

“That would’ve been a choice—” Sharkey started, and was interrupted by his younger partner.

“Diana, it isn’t that bad,” McAlister said, nodding and softly smiling. “We’d like to know exactly what happened that day. Be specific, and also try not to leave anything out.”

“Okay, I’ll do that,” Diana King said and began relating the story. “We were playing golf with friends, and it just started raining. The unexpected change in weather put a cap on a pleasant day we were having. We were planning to meet with friends at the Ponderosa Restaurant. Then we hopped into the Mercedes Benz SUV and traveled along route 84 to Enterprise. Vaughn took the shortcut through Fort Rucker, the flight-training base for Army Aviation located mostly in Dale County, cut the trip time in half…”

“I’m famished,” Vaughn said.

“Going through the base is the quickest way to Enterprise,” Vaughn said.

The vehicle rolled to a stop at the entrance to the U.S. Army post. Since the 911-attack security at all checkpoints and gates on the prestigious home to the U. S. Army Aviation Museum increased.

“Good evening, sir,” a smooth-faced army sentry greeted with a sharp salute.

King returned the salute, and the couple quickly went through the military checkpoint. Leaving the military base with nothing but eating was on his mind, King drove thinking about the restaurant’s quickest route.

“Looks like another stormy night, honey,” Diana said.

“It sure looks like it. Glad we were able to get eighteen rounds in today,” Vaughn smiled at his wife.

A family therapist once advised Vaughn King to be more communicative in his relationship. Vaughn hated small talk, and Diana loved to engage in it. The discussions would begin simply then gradually spiraled out of control. Their harmless chatter would end in heated arguments. The couple sought professional help, and on the recommendation of the family therapist, Dr. Janopolis, Vaughn tried his best to participate in Diana’s small talk. They were within a couple of minutes of arriving at the restaurant, and Diana suddenly made an urgent request.

“Honey, can you please make a stop at my office?”

“Oh Diana, you know I’m starved—”

“I just have to—”

“We told everyone we’ll meet in fifteen minutes to eat, and you’re asking me to make a stop…?”

“Baby, I promise not to be gone long. I’m just picking up a file, and we’ll meet your friends,” Diana pleaded.

“C’mon—”

Diana cut off her husband’s protest with a swift kiss and said, “The restaurant is just a way down the road from my office. It’s only seven-thirty. We’ll get there way before eight, honey. You know, that’s when your friends will be there. Be a sweetheart,” she smiled, patting his stomach. “I’m sure you can wait a few more minutes.”

“C’mon, Diana. I’ve been playing golf all day. I’m famished—”

“We were riding around in a golf cart,” Diana smiled, putting her finger on her husband’s lips.

“You were riding in golf carts sightseeing. I was busy swinging my clubs. Now I’m ready to chow down on some juicy steaks,” Vaughn said, licking his lips.

“I’m sure you were.”

“I was—”

“And you probably thought you were Tiger Woods when you were giving lessons to all the horny women from the Officer Wives Club—”

“They’re not—”

“Is that’s what you mean by ‘swinging your club,’ Vaughn?”

“Diana, that right there—that’s your jealousy speaking for you. Remember the marriage counselor distinctly saying whenever you start making up stuff in your head—”

“No, this situation doesn’t apply. Other husbands were there, and they were showing those horny-husband-stealers how to hold a damn golf club too. But no… They all just wanted to run to you like some damn fly on shit.”

“Maybe they just recognize talent,” Vaughn said with a sardonic grin.

“I tell you they recognized something alright,” Diana shot back.

“You know what…? You’re just a jealous one—”

“Vaughn, you may call it jealousy. It’s not. But so what if I am jealous…? You’re my husband. Dammit! And you know, I’m protective of what’s mine,” Diana said, pointing to the ring on her left hand. “For whatever that’s worth—”

“Alright, Diana. If you calm down, I’ll do it—”

Vaughn King’s face held the smile. He shook his head when he heard his wife pleadings.

“Please, please, Vaughn. I’m calm… I’ll be calm. But I have to prepare to testify in this separation case in the morning, and you know how paranoid I get when I’m not prepared,” Diana said, pausing and batting her eyes before continuing. “I become neurotic,” she smiled, grabbing the sides of her face.

“But you know you could’ve done this yesterday when you were downtown. You know that, right?”

“Yes, I do. You’re right, Vaughn. But honey, I was soo busy rushing to catch the hairdresser. I just totally forgot to get it. And you know what a long wait I had for that appointment. I couldn’t miss it. She’s so busy all the time, and I don’t want anyone else doing my hair. I’m scared they’ll mess it up –”

“Alright, alright. A pit stop it is then, Diana.”

“I’ll be right quick, Vaughn.”

“I’m glad it’s that, and not another long counseling session for one of your clients,” Vaughn said in resignation. “I thought we were gonna have some time for—”

“I promise, honey. We’ll be at the Ponderosa in two shakes. And you’ll be able to eat all the steaks you want,” Diana smiled. “It’s imperative that I get this record tonight, honey. I’ve gotta do some work on it first thing tomorrow and…”

“Okay, okay, Diana. I got you,” Vaughn said, pushing his foot harder on the gas.

“Be careful, sweetheart, this is a god- awful storm,” Diana said ominously as the SUV glided through waves of flood caused by the torrential outburst.

“Sure looks bad,” Vaughn said, staring at the road in front of him. “One minute it’s all sunny, and then boom, thunder, lightning, hailstones, and flooding, tornadoes.”

“Just like Alabama. Roll-Tide!” Diana shouted in laughter.

“You should know you were born in this armpit of the world.”

“And I’m glad to be back in my Lil’ Ol’ armpit of the world.”

“I thought you loved the Blue Grass—”

“Don’t get me wrong, Vaughn. Working with Dr. Janopolis at Fort Campbell was great. The Blue-Grass state is a nice place, but there’s nothing that can beat my sweet home, Alabama,” Diana laughed.

“The guys at the base have a joke,” Vaughn King said, driving.

“Don’t tell me they’re making fun of my birthplace now?”

“Kind of.”

“Vaughn, you know I don’t like outsiders making fun of my hometown.”

“Stop being so defensive, or I won’t tell you.”

“Oh, tell me, tell me, Vaughn. I promise I won’t get mad.”

“They say, ‘Sir if I screw up here, how can the army punish me? I’m already here at Fort Rucker’,” Vaughn said, laughing.

“Aw, geez…the men don’t know Dixie. It certainly ain’t all that bad if nearly one-third of Americans live in the south,” Diana said. “Shish, they could easily be reassigned to a cold place like Alaska,” she said dryly. “And those ungrateful bastards would be colder than a witches tit even in the summer. My family’s been here since—”

“Okay! Okay, Diana. I got it. I know your people been here since General Edmund Rucker was a—”

“No, that was after the civil war eighteen sixty-one to eighteen sixty-five. And the department of the army named the fort after him. But my family has been here since eighteen forty-five I’ll let you know that my great, great, great pappy was here—”

“And they have streets named after them, right?” Vaughn said, completing his rankled wife’s rant.

“Damn right! And I’m very proud of that, Vaughn! They should’ve named that damn fort after my great grand-pappy! I know for sure that he fought right alongside General Rucker and protected the general’s ass a few times. So there!”

“We always tease each other about such things even while spending time with friends,” Diana King continued in a soft, but emotionally shaken voice.

“Do you know all the names of the friends you were with at the golf course?” Sharkey asked.

“I do know some of them, detective.”

“Can you also include the names of those friends you spent the day with while making out your statement?”

“I sure can. At least the names I know. While we were playing golf, other people were on the course, and I don’t think I know all their names.”

“That’s alright. Write down the names you know and any other information such as phone numbers, address etcetera,” Sharkey said, shoving Diana’s pad.

Under the intense scrutiny of Sharkey’s watchful eyes, Diana thought for a few beats. Then she started writing on the pad. She glanced at the writing pad before handing it to the detective.

“A rainstorm blew in, and we planned on meeting at the Ponderosa in Enterprise. Then we all ran to our cars. Vaughn and I took the shortcut through the base. Vaughn suggested we could stop at my office to get the file I needed.”

“Do you recall the name of the file?” McAlister asked.

“Yes, Gonzalez…”

“And your husband was supposed to pick up this file you needed?” Sharkey asked.

“Vaughn was supposed to get the file the day before…”

“You mean, on Saturday?”

“Yes, but I was delayed at the hairdresser, and couldn’t do it. So I had asked Vaughn to do it for me.”

“You planned to pick it up that same day?”

“Not really. I wanted to get it, but we spent the day, ah twelve ‘til a little after seven. Vaughn decided to make a quick stop so I could get the file. Then we’d make it to the restaurant, which wasn’t very far away, ” Diana said.

“What time did you get to the office?” McAlister asked.

“We got there around seven-thirty…” Diana said, reflecting.

“And what happened when you got there?” McAlister asked.

“Nothing. I ran upstairs because the rain was about to come down,” Diana said.

“And your husband was alone in the car?” Sharkey asked.

“Yes.”

“Did he look worried or angry?”

“No, he was hungry but still in a good mood.”

“You said you wouldn’t get mad, baby?” King said, pulling to a stop.

He looked at her eyes and saw the beautiful woman he married. Vaughn King reminded himself that the marriage counselor told him to do everything he could to make his wife happy. It was the only way his marriage wouldn’t end in a divorce. He knew Diana was unhappy, and he didn’t want to irritate her further. His smile was soft.

“Babe, I hope you’re not—”

“I’m not, dear. You know that ‘round here us folks—we don’t get mad—we just get even. So it doesn’t make me no never-mind,” Diana smiled.

While unbuckling her seatbelt, Diana’s lips touched Vaughn’s cheek with a soft kiss. Before she could exit the vehicle, Vaughn’s tongue teased her into a deep, long kiss. He hugged her and tried to hold her back. Diana wiggled free of his gasp then shoved a gift box at him.

“And to show you exactly what I mean. Here,” Diana said, closing her bag. “Smoke one of these cigars while you’re thinking of how to make up to me.”

“Oh, honey, my favorite Cuban cigar. Where did you get—”

“I got it for you at the gift shop.”

“That’s soo cool. Thanks, honey.”

“I won’t be long,” she said, getting out the car and slamming the door.

“I’m holding you to that. If I die of hunger…” Vaughn said, smiling. “It’ll be your fault…” his voice trailed when he saw Diana quickly disappeared upstairs to her office, overlooking the town square.

Shrugging, Vaughn opened the box of cigars. Romeo Y Juliet, he smiled, and immediately removed one from the pack. Sniffing the length of the cigar, Vaughn couldn’t resist the flavor and lit it. Then he took a long, deep puff with the thought of the lovemaking after the fight. He exhaled, relaxing in the smoke’s taste, wishing the spats with his wife never happened.

Vaughn’s eyes settled on a giant statue of a woman holding an insect pest. He wanted to make his marriage last because Diana deserved it. The thought stirred Vaughn’s mind.

“Even though I don’t like it. Vaughn was probably smoking a cigar.”

“What do you mean, ‘I don’t like it’?” Sharkey asked.

“I hate the smell of cigars. But it was what Vaughn did…”

“Smoking cigars?” Sharkey asked.

“Yes.”

“What happened next?” McAlister asked.

“I couldn’t have been upstairs for more than five minutes. Then I heard the commotion—”

“How long were you gone? Approximately…?” Sharkey asked, interrupting Diana.

“After leaving the car for your office,” McAlister interjected.

“Oh, after I got out of the car, I went directly upstairs and was in the office for about five minutes. Then I heard the commotion outside and turned on the office light. I peeked out the window, but I didn’t know what was going on. Then I saw that the car doors were left open. I became concerned and started to have this sinking feeling that my husband may somehow be involved in something horrible. I didn’t know that someone shot him…” Diana said and buried her face in her palms. She was sobbing.

“Why did you have a sinking feeling?” Sharkey asked, ignoring her sobs.

Silently crying for a minute, Diana didn’t answer. Her body shuddered, and her tears seemed uncontrollable. The detectives watched Diana’s body heaving from the emotions running through her. After a few beats, she was able to speak.

“It’s just one of those feelings that hit you in the stomach and close off the air to your vitals. Then you feel faint,” Diana finally said.

“Dr. King, did you say that you were in the office for five minutes. Did you turn on the light and looked out the window? I’d imagine it was kind of dark?” Sharkey asked.

“Yes, I did turn the light on.”

“And you weren’t able to see anything outside your window?”

“No, I had to walk over to the window to get a better look. But only after I heard the noise. I wanted to see what the commotion was. So I turned on all the lights, including those by the window,” Diana explained.

“You were in the office for about five minutes, and did you hear any sounds like gunshots?”

“No, I mean just after we arrived, and I went upstairs to my office. It was raining on and off. Five minutes or so later, it started steadily raining again. Besides the sound of rain, I wasn’t able to hear any real noise,” Diana said.

“Was there anyone else in the building at that time?”

“No, I didn’t check, but it didn’t appear anyone was on the fourth floor.”

“How many offices are there on the fourth floor?”

“Two other offices besides mine.”

“Who occupies those offices?”

“There’s a dentist office, and an optician office.”

“What caused your attention to shift to this commotion downstairs? Was it your husband’s body lying in the street that caused you to hurry downstairs to check on him or…?”

“I didn’t see the body until I was already downstairs. There was a small crowd. The doors to the car were left open, so I thought Vaughn was fighting with someone.”

“That was your first thought when you saw the crowd?” Sharkey asked.

“Yes. I saw the car door opened. Maybe someone hit the car. I was thinking… You don’t know my husband as I do—his temper is the size of a gorilla, and sometimes he can’t control it, and it gets the best of him,” Diana said, batting her eyes at Sharkey.

“Maybe he could’ve been lending assistance to another motorist…?”

“My first thought was that someone hit the car. And knowing how Vaughn loves his Mercedes, he could’ve blown up and gone after the other driver. That’s why I thought he was in a fight. My husband sometimes gets angry and will get in fisticuffs. I’ve seen him in action, and he can get crazy.”

“You know your husband very well, so I could understand why you would think like that,” McAlister said.

Watching Diana intensely, Sharkey asked, “Do you know if anyone had a problem with your husband or would want to harm?”

“No, I don’t. Vaughn’s a war hero. Everywhere we went people just always seem to gravitate to him. Once you meet him—you love and respect him very much.”

“How long have you been married?”

“Six years. We met each other at Fort Campbell. I was an intern, and Vaughn was a second lieutenant. Vaughn was best friends with another friend who knew my brother. They loved flying and fast cars. All through the nine months of flight school, they enjoyed hanging with each other.”

“Is your brother still stationed at For Campbell?” Sharkey asked.

“No, detective. My brother only visited. He was in the Marine Corps.”

“Where is your brother now?” McAlister asked.

“My brother, Brad… He gave his life for his country,” Diana said.

Her somber tone caused Sharkey’s eyes to widen. He was attempting to read between the lines. For a beat, he paused in search of more answers. Then he said, “So your brother’s dead then?”

“Yes, detective.”

A knock on the door interrupted the ensuing silence, so McAlister got up and opened the door. The officer standing there spoke briefly to him. McAlister closed the door and said, “The military attaché from Army CID is here.”

Looking confounded, Sharkey stared at him and asked, “From what…? Were we expecting them?”

“They came through higher-ups,” the officer said.

“Really…? This case getting more coverage, huh?” McAlister said.

“It sure looks like the higher-ups are viewing this case with a very sharp eye. Captain King is of military royalty. His father is a retired general, Vaughn King Senior,” the uniformed officer said. “The chief wanted to see you.”

Before leaving, the officer closed the door. Sharkey turned his attention to Dr. King. He wore a wry smile when he asked, “Is that right, Dr. King? Was your husband well-connected?”

“Yes, as far as the military is concerned, Vaughn’s held in extremely high esteem. He’s viewed very favorably by all,” Diana said. “But there’s another side to Vaughn. I don’t know if this has anything to do with his death, but he gambled a lot. And I mean a lot. Maybe he loved that as much as flying…”

“Do you know if he owes anyone money or any type of favors?”

“None as far as I know… I don’t have any idea about that sort of thing, though. Vaughn never spoke to me about having any kind of gambling debts, but…”

“What about his friends…? Any close friends that might know something that could help us?”

“Just his army buddies…”

“Who are…? Do you know any names of any of them?”

“He started his flight training with a couple of guys who are in his flight class…maybe one or two. Usually, he’s with Chris, Frank Rangel, and Cpt. Gatlin—”

“Does Cpt. Gatlin have a first name?” Sharkey asked.

“Yes, Andrew…”

“Hmm, another military guy. I’m beginning to think that Army C.I.D. involvement might be more than just damage control…” McAlister said, sounding thoughtful.

“I’ll be back. Let me go say hello to our guests,” Sharkey said, leaving the office.