He kept reading, faster and faster, his pace probably neatly matching the

breathless dictation of the dying woman.

 

When he had finished he looked up to find the two men staring at him. “She’s

accusing my father of murdering my mother.” “That’s right,” said Hull. “That’s

exactly right.”

 

Chapter 4

 

THIS IS RIDICULOUS,” said Puller. “When my mother went missing my father wasn’t

even in the country.” Ted Hull glanced at Colonel Shorr, cleared his throat, and

said, “As I said, we’ve done some preliminary digging.” Puller said, “Wait a

minute, when did you receive this letter?” “A week ago.” “And you’re only now

telling me about it?” Shorr interjected, “Chief Puller, I know how upsetting

this must be for you.” “You’re damn right.” Puller caught himself, remembering

that the man he was talking to was well above him in rank. “It is upsetting,

sir,” he said more calmly. “And because of the seriousness of the allegation we

wanted to do some investigation before bringing the matter to your attention.”

“And what did your investigation show?” Puller said curtly. “That while your

father was out of the country, he arrived back a day earlier than planned. He

was in Virginia and in the vicinity of Fort Monroe five or six hours before your

mother disappeared.” Puller felt his heart skip a beat. “That doesn’t prove he

was involved.” “Not at all. But we checked the earlier investigation record.

Your father said he was out of the country, and preliminary travel records