backed that up. That’s why when the investigation was done back then it cleared

him of any possible involvement.” “So why do you say otherwise now?” “Because we

uncovered additional travel records and vouchers that show your father, who was

scheduled to travel back stateside via military transport, actually flew back on

a private jet.” “A private jet? Whose?” “We’re not certain of that yet. Keep in

mind this was thirty years ago.” Puller rubbed his eyes, truly disbelieving that

this was actually happening. “I know how long ago it was. I lived through it. My

brother and I. And my father. It was a living hell for us all. It tore our

family apart.” “I can understand that,” said Hull. “But the point is that if

your father said he was out of the country and the records indicate otherwise?”

He left the obvious implications of that contradiction unspoken.

 

Puller decided to simply say it. “So you’re saying he lied? Well, the records

you uncovered could be wrong. If his name was on a flight manifest it doesn’t

alone prove he was on the plane.” “We need to dig deeper, certainly.” Puller

eyed both men. “But if that was all you had you wouldn’t be sitting here with

me.” Shorr said, “I nearly forgot what you do for a living. You’re well versed

in how investigations operate.” “So what else do you have, Colonel?” Hull spoke

up. “We can’t get into that, Chief. It’s an ongoing investigation.” “So you’ve

opened an investigation based on a letter from a terminally ill woman about

events thirty years ago?” “And the fact that your father was not out of the

country as he said he was,” replied Hull defensively. “Look, if we hadn’t turned

that up I don’t think we’d be having this conversation. It’s not like I woke up

one morning looking to tear down an Army legend, Chief. But it’s a different

time too. Back then maybe things got buried that shouldn’t have been. The Army’s