Bristow gazed over his shoulder. “I really can’t, John. You see, I had left my

husband by then and moved into an apartment off the post.” “I didn’t know that.”

“It was for the best. Our marriage didn’t work out. And then he died.” There was

an awkward silence until Puller spoke up. “I was in the backyard playing when I

saw her at the window. She was watching me and smiling.” Bristow nodded. “She

was very proud of her boys.” Her gaze dropped to his. “I’m sure you miss her

very much. To not have her in your life all these years.” “Yes ma’am,” Puller

said dully. All these years without her. All that time gone. The things they

could have experienced together. “John, are you all right?” Puller jerked back

to find Bristow looking at him worriedly. “I’m fine. So, the day she

disappeared. It was a Saturday.” Bristow nodded. “Yes, that’s right. The week

leading up to that was a busy one. That Sunday there was going to be an Easter

program at the church. A lot of details and planning. Your mother was on the

committee, as was I. Even though I no longer lived on post, I would not have

left them in the lurch on that.” “And she was looking forward to it?” “Oh yes.

We all were.” She looked at him appraisingly. “You don’t think that your mother

just walked away from her family, do you?” “I don’t know what to think right

now, ma’am. I’m just trying to collect the facts and see where they lead me.”

Bristow nodded. “Your father was not the easiest person to live with.” “I can

attest to that.” “But that would not have been enough of a reason for her to

leave. And she never would have left her sons behind. Don’t believe for one

minute that she would have.” Puller considered this, his pen hovering over his

notebook. “So if she didn’t walk out on us, then something happened to her.”

Bristow nodded. “That’s what I always assumed. The MPs and CID agents came to