was rough with Jackie.” “He never abused my mother.” Puller had raised his voice

and then felt incredible guilt. The woman was dying. “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be.

Your father was a hard man, John. He was used to commanding men in the most

difficult thing there is, combat. He was used to whatever he said being done.

That doesn’t work in a marriage. That didn’t work with your mother. In some ways

she was even more strong-willed than her husband.” “But why would you think he

would kill her?” “Because Jackie was afraid of him. She was afraid he would do

something to her.” She paused for breath. “And your mother was thinking about

leaving him.” Puller froze. “She was going to leave my father?” “She wanted

custody of you and your brother.” “She told you that?” “She told me a lot of

things, John.” Puller sat down again. “My mother went out that night. Did she

come to see you?” “No.” “Do you know where she was going or who she might have

been going to see?” “She had several other friends among the officers’ wives. It

might have been one of them.” “Might she have confided in them too?” “It’s

possible. She was a very private person, your mother. But she was also getting

desperate.” “Did the CID talk to you back then?” “They came by and asked their

questions, like you are now. But I could tell they were not focused on your

father. They said he was out of the country.” Puller did not mention that Hull

had found evidence to contradict this belief. “Go on.” “Well, I told them that

the Pullers had a marriage like many others.

 

They fought. And they made up.” “You didn’t tell them of the abuse? About her

wanting to leave him and take my brother and me? That would have been a pretty

powerful motive for killing her.” “No, I didn’t tell them that.” “Why not?”

“Because my husband was in your father’s command and wouldn’t hear any words