leave for the next two days. You can talk to my CO, Don White.” Shorr added,

“We’ve already spoken with your CO. He told us where you were.” “So what’s the

issue?” “It’s about your father, actually, Chief. And I guess you as well.”

Since Puller was technically a chief warrant officer in the CID, or Criminal

Investigation Command, of the United States Army, those in uniform referred to

him as “Chief.” He was not a commissioned officer like those who had graduated

from West Point. He had started his Army career as an enlisted man, and thus was

lower in rank than Shorr. “I don’t understand, sir,” he said.

 

At nearly six feet four he towered over the two men. His height came from his

father. His calm demeanor came from his mother. His father had two emotional

settings: loud and DEFCON One. “There’s a visitors’ room down the hall,” said

Shorr. “Let’s talk there.” He led the way to the room, found it empty, and shut

the door behind them. They all sat, Puller facing the other two men.

 

Shorr looked at Hull and nodded. Hull took an envelope from his pocket and

tapped it against his palm. “Fort Eustis received this communication. They

forwarded it to my office. We’ve been doing some digging on it. Then we found

out you were scheduled to come back today, so we rode up to see you.” Shorr

added, “I’m stationed at JBLE. That’s the connection.” Puller nodded. He knew

that was in the Tidewater area, which included Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport

News, Virginia. In 2010 the Army’s Fort Eustis in Newport News and Langley Air

Force Base in nearby Hampton had come together to form the new base

configuration known in the service as JBLE. “Transport and logistics,” noted

Puller. “Right.” “And while the Twelfth MPs are headquartered at Fort Lee, we