would want to know. All I’m saying is, you want the truth, you better be

prepared to handle it.” “Trust me, Knox. I’m prepared. I’ve had thirty years to

get ready.” He unlocked the car door and climbed in. She did the same.

 

She looked at him. “So where to?” “Rooney said he wasn’t expecting my mother

that night, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t planning to go there. Something

might have prevented her from getting there.” “Like what?” “Like someone.” “You

think someone snatched her? On an active military installation? With lots of

people around? How could they possibly pull that off?” “You’d be amazed at what

I’ve seen people pull off.” A short time later they were back at Fort Monroe and

parked in front of Puller’s old home.

 

Knox peered up at the house. “Have you been in there yet?” “No. Working up to

it.” “Looks like a nice place.” “My dad was a one-star. It was nice. Nicer than

anything I’ve been in since.” “Where did you and your brother go after your

mother disappeared?” “We lived with my aunt, my dad’s sister, for a while in

Florida. We visited her a lot when my mother was around. They really got along.”

“Is your aunt still alive?” “No, she was murdered.” “Good God, Puller. How?

Why?” “It’s complicated. But suffice it to say I found out who did it and they

were appropriately punished.” “Your aunt, your brother, and now your mother. Any

other family members lurking out there for you to avenge?” “I hope not.” “So

after you stopped living with your aunt, where did you and Bobby go?” “We moved

with my father when he was reassigned. He was still our parent even if he wasn’t

around much. His staff helped to raise us. Dad always made sure we were taken

care of. Nice ladies, housekeepers, people to help with homework and getting us