was long since cold. And it seems to me you had other things on your plate. Like

fighting in two wars for starters. And then the Army isn’t really well known for

letting its people go off on a lark and try to solve a case on their own just

because they want to.” “You can make all the excuses in the world, Knox, and so

can I, but it still won’t change things.” “But Father Rooney pretty much cleared

your father of any involvement in her disappearance.” “No he didn’t. He doesn’t

know that for a fact, and neither do I. My father was here on that day. He came

back early and didn’t tell anyone. And even if he is innocent I still don’t know

what happened to my mother. I let this mess sit for thirty years. No more, Knox.

No more. Buck stops here. I get this done or die trying.” “But Puller, this

could take a long time. You have a job. The Army is not going to let you

indefinitely—” He barked, “To hell with the Army, I’ll resign if I have to, but

this case is getting solved.” She looked to be about to make a response but then

seemed to catch herself. She took a breath and stepped out of the room to make

the call.

 

Puller went back into the bathroom and looked out the window.

 

Where did you go, Mom? Where?

 

She just walked down the street and disappeared.

 

Puller looked down at his phone. He and his brother and father had left Fort

Monroe shortly after Jackie Puller disappeared. He had been back to the post a

few times on official business, but never for more than a few hours at a time.