up on my end.” “You know the Army doesn’t make distinctions like that. When you

wear the uniform you don’t have a ‘personal’ life. It’s Army green all the way.”

“I’m still going to talk to her.” “And she’ll tell you that she believed that

Dad killed Mom. So why bother?” “I want to hear it from her, Bobby. The letter

was the watereddown version, or so Stan told me.” “So you’re going to

interrogate a terminally ill woman about events from three decades ago?” “I’m

just going to listen. And she was the one who brought it up.” “And then what?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t really formulated a plan yet.” “The Army might

formulate one for you. As in a court-martial.” “I haven’t disobeyed any orders

because I haven’t been given any orders. I’m on leave, free to do what I want.”

“As long as you’re in uniform you are not free to do what you want. You know

that!” “Thanks for the lecture,” barked Puller. “John, I’m just telling you to

be really careful about this—” “Let’s cut to the chase,” Puller said,

interrupting. “Do you believe that Dad did it?” “How the hell am I supposed to

answer that question? I don’t know!” “I think you suspect him.” “What do you

think?” “I think our parents loved each other and Dad would never have laid a

hand on her.” Robert didn’t answer this right away. In fact the silence drew on

for so long that Puller thought he might have disconnected. “Bobby? Did you hear

wha—” “I heard, John.” “And?” “And time has a way of selecting memories we keep

and memories we discard. At least for most people. The way I’m wired I remember

pretty much everything as it actually happened, I guess, for better or worse.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” said Puller sharply. “I thought it was

fairly straightforward. I gotta go, John. I’ve got three-stars waiting on me.

Just try not to crater your career, okay?” The line went dead.