Читать книгу Person of Interest - Debby Giusti - Страница 13

FIVE

Once Natalie had turned in, Everett stepped outside and slowly walked around the cabin. He had followed Natalie here from Fort Rickman, which meant someone else could have, as well. Like the killer who had thrown Tammy Yates to her death or whoever had shot Denise Lang.

The moon broke through the dark cloud cover. In the distance, he could see a lake and boat dock. The scene looked peaceful, but anything—or anyone—could be lurking in the shadows.

Slowly, he approached Natalie’s car and spied the keys in the ignition. Opening the door, he hesitated for a long moment as a floral scent, like the gardenias his mom grew in her garden, wafted past him. He had noticed the scent earlier when he’d stood close to Natalie, but now it brought thoughts of a determined woman who wanted to keep baby Sofia safe. Natalie tried to appear tough, yet the totally feminine scent she wore and her concern for the infant revealed something about the real person beneath the facade.

Everett admired her spunk and focus. She was pretty with her black hair and big eyes that stirred an awareness deep within him. The intensity of her gaze haunted him. She seemed to plead for help yet refused to ask, as if any sign of weakness should be kept hidden.

Checking his watch, he did the math with the six-hour time difference between Georgia and Germany, then punched in a number and waited until Special Agent Tyler Zimmerman answered.

“Hey, buddy, it’s Everett. I heard you were in Vilseck.”

“Good to hear your voice, Rett. Last I knew you were at Fort Sill.”

“And transferred to Rickman some months ago.”

“A good assignment,” Tyler said, “if you’re working for Craig Wilson.”

Surprised by the comment, Everett asked, “You know Wilson?”

“Only by reputation. Do me a favor, and put in a plug for me.”

“How long before you PCS back to the States?”

“I spent two-and-a-half years at Heidelberg, and the last eight months here in Vilseck. I could ask for a transfer in a couple more months, especially if Wilson requests me. Tell the chief that I’m an outstanding special agent with exceptional investigative skills.”

Everett chuckled. “I’ll let him know.”

“Appreciate the support, but you didn’t call to talk about my career goals. What’s up?”

Everett cut to the chase. “Special Agent Mason Yates’s wife died a few hours ago. She either fell or was pushed down the stars in their quarters.”

Tyler let out a stiff breath. “That’s tough. How’s Mason?”

“Grieving, of course. He wasn’t home at the time of death. Right now we don’t have any leads.” At least none Everett wanted to reveal. “A personnel clerk, Specialist Natalie Frazier, worked with the CID and left Vilseck about a year ago. I need information on her and any involvement she might have had with Mason.”

“Involvement? You mean a relationship?”

“Supposedly not, but let me know if any scuttlebutt is floating around. I don’t put stock in rumors, although sometimes they hold a hint of truth.”

“I’ll be discreet.”

“There’s something else. A woman fell down the stairs to her death in Vilseck while Mason was there. Her name was Paula Conway. See if anyone remembers the incident. Let me know what you uncover.”

“Roger that.”

After disconnecting, Everett stared into the woods. The chatter of cicadas and tree frogs filled the night. Returning the cell to his ear, he made one more call, this time to bring Frank Gallagher up-to-date.

“You need to drive Natalie Frazier back to Fort Rickman. If not now, then in the morning,” Frank insisted once Everett explained the situation.

“I’ll talk to her and get back to you, but I have to tell you, Frank, she’s been forthright about everything so far.”

“She can be forthright at Fort Rickman.”

Everett told him about the roommate’s boyfriend. “See if you can find out who Denise was seeing. Could be a married man who wants to keep his transgressions quiet.”

“I’ll pass that on to the Freemont police.”

“Although it’s a long shot, we need to be certain Mason isn’t involved.”

Frank’s sharp inhale sounded over the phone. “Did Natalie think he was seeing her roommate?”

“It’s purely speculation, although wouldn’t that be an interesting twist?”

“One I don’t like.”

“I don’t, either, but that doesn’t mean we don’t follow every lead. Plus, Natalie had two prank phone calls on the Joneses’ landline earlier tonight. Check Mason’s cell, just in case.”

Frank sniffed. “You’re treading on thin ice, Rett. Mason’s record is squeaky clean. The unknown in this situation is the nanny. Easy enough for her to concoct a story in order to shift blame to someone else. Someone who could end up being Chief of Fort Rickman CID, if Wilson transfers.”

“I’m the one suggesting the connection, Frank. You can blame me.”

He and Frank both knew they were walking on a slippery slope that could have them tumbling downward in a heartbeat, especially if Mason stepped into Wilson’s shoes.

“I’ll check Mason’s cell and make inquiries about the roommate’s boyfriend,” Frank said before he disconnected. “Call me in the morning.”

Everett pocketed his phone with a sigh. Natalie had opened up tonight. Surely she would reveal more information in the morning. Once Everett heard back from Tyler, he’d know a bit more about what had happened in Germany.

After stepping back into the cabin, he locked the door behind him and stood in the dark room. For a long moment, he stared through the picture window at the lake in the distance. In spite of the placid water and serenity of the night, Everett couldn’t calm his unrest. Too many questions needed to be answered.