sweatshirt that read Army Strong. His hair was close-cropped and mostly gray. A

matching mustache spread over his top lip.

 

He had the engine compartment open on a trim yellow-and-white Chaparral

twenty-five-footer that was up on the lift. “Nice boat,” commented Puller.

“Handles the wake well and it’s got a lot of pep when I need it.” “Sailor can’t

ask for more than that,” replied Puller. “You mind if I keep working while we

talk?” asked DiRenzo. “Not at all. Can I help you with anything?” “You can hand

me some tools when I ask you.” “Sure thing.” DiRenzo climbed into the boat and

started taking off some bolts from the engine using a socket wrench. “So, the

Jackie Puller case,” began Knox.

 

DiRenzo finished loosening one bolt and dropped it into a bucket on the boat’s

deck. He asked Puller for another size socket. Puller handed it to him and

DiRenzo took a moment to pop it on before glancing at Puller. “Notice you had

the same last name.” “She was my mother.” “I actually remember you and your

brother, although I’m sure you don’t remember me. And everybody knew about your

dad.” He started loosening another bolt. “After you phoned, I made some calls to

old buddies still in harness. You’ve got one helluva rep at CID, Chief Puller.”

“I try to do my job like the Army taught me to do it.” “No argument there.”

DiRenzo wiped some grease off his hands and sat on the boat’s gunwale. “Over the

years I’ve thought about your mother’s case from time to time. Damnedest thing

I’d ever seen. It was like she vanished into thin air. No one saw, heard

anything. I worked my ass off trying to get traction. A one-star’s wife goes

missing? You better cover all your bases. And it wasn’t just any one-star. Hell,