They were not tough, hardened soldiers now.

 

They were simply bereaved sons.

 

Many people who had known the Pullers were there, including Stan Demirjian, who

had come up and saluted Lieutenant General John Puller and then spent the rest

of the time helping the old warrior get around, with a supportive hand ready

whenever it was needed. Also there were Carol Powers and her family, the retired

CID agent Vincent DiRenzo, and attorney Shireen Kirk. Lucy Bristow, whose

husband Jackie had been going to meet that night, walked over to the Pullers and

offered her condolences. Puller Sr. seemed to recognize her and gave her a nod.

 

It was telling to Puller that none of the military higher-ups were there. They

obviously saw their attendance here as detrimental to their careers.

 

And they had all obeyed that order.

 

As Puller sat listening to Father Rooney delivering the gravesite service, Knox,

who was sitting next to him and wearing a simple black dress, took his hand.

When she squeezed it, he squeezed back.

 

After the service was over the Puller brothers loaded their father into the van

they had driven down in.