Billings was an excellent shot. He saved my life. In 1969, the 29th North Vietnam Army had entrenched themselves on Hamburger Hill in South Vietnam.
We got our orders to join with a South Vietnamese force and remove them. Despite heavy losses, we captured the hill ten days later.
Billings had the unique ability to calm the other soldiers down in some terrible situations. He always used to say, ‘if I get out of here alive, I’m going to make the world a better place.’
I honestly don’t know what happened to Billings. I would like to believe he did just that.
Any idea on who would have killed Billings?”
Kamira looked up at the screen. “No, sir, we do not. Do you know if First Lieutenant Billings had any family?”
The Colonel’s eyebrows furrowed, “No, I don’t think he did, Ma’am. Not that he ever talked about, anyway. I expect you both to keep me updated.”
Kamira smiled and said, “Yes, sir. Thank you for your time. If you remember anything else, please call us.”
The Colonel nodded his head and disconnected the call.
Kamira looked at the file on her computer. Looking up at Terrance, she said, “It looks like Pastor Chestfield’s accident was just that. Though the remains were charred beyond recognition, his brother, Father Adam Chestfield, the priest, identified him. The remains still had a necklace attached to his neck. A gold cross. Faye Chestfield had given him that necklace on their wedding day.”
Terrance looked at his laptop. “I think the next step is to interview Joy Ault, Faye Chestfield’s mother, and her sister, Lucy Ault. If Daniel disappeared in between Faye and Charles Chestfield’s death, we need to figure out why.”
Kamira nodded. “Any idea where they are?”
Terrance replied, “Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. I just texted you the number. Why don’t you go to West Virginia and do the interview? I am going to look into Daniel Billings’ family. Why would he make his captain, next of kin?”
While Terrance filled the case file with information on the whiteboard, Kamira called Joy and Lucy Ault, making the arrangements to arrive at their home the following day. She booked her flight to leave that evening and fly back the next afternoon.
Kamira looked at Terrance, who was still writing on the board. “I am going to let Willie Mae know about my trip. Then I need to go pack. Can you take me to the airport? My flight leaves in two hours.”
“No problem. Our first night apart. That’s disappointing. Who’s going to wash my back in the morning?” Terrance said, grinning.
Kamira laughed while she walked towards the door. Turning, she slyly looked at Terrance and said, “I guess I will have to wash it twice when I get back.”
She heard Terrance chuckle as she walked down the hall to find Willie Mae, Suzie Beachum, and Jack standing in the lobby.
“Willie Mae, I have to fly out to West Virginia to interview some women on the Daniel Billings case. Suzie, any chance you can drive Willie Mae to work tomorrow?”
Jack asked, “Who is in West Virginia?”
Kamira responded, “The family of Faye Chestfield. She was the pastor's wife when Daniel Billings worked there as the gravedigger, we believe. Both Faye and her husband, Pastor Charles Chestfield, passed within two weeks of each other, and Billings disappeared at the same time.”
As Jack nodded, acknowledging the information, Willie Mae smiled and thought, excellent opportunity to visit Arnie Bailey.
Chapter 4
As Kamira was searching for her first cup of coffee on Tuesday morning in West Virginia, Willie Mae was finishing her pot of gumbo for Arnie Bailey back in Shadowbank, in the kitchen of the Bellow estate.
Fifteen minutes later, Willie Mae finished the gumbo and poured it into a large container to take to Arnie when Suzie Beachum walked into the kitchen.
“Smells like gumbo. Have you been cooking all night, Willie Mae?”
Willie Mae smiled, “I have. Would you mind stopping at Arnie Bailey’s before work? I bring him a pot monthly. The man is older than the hills, and I like to make sure he eats something other than fish. You wouldn’t mind stopping there, would you, Suzie? Usually, Jack or Kamira take me, but they are both busy with cases.”
Suzie helped Willie Mae load the car, and they were on their way to old Arnie Bailey’s cabin on the river.
“Turn here, Suzie. Now don’t let old Arnie scare you when we get there. He doesn’t take kindly to strangers.”
As they pulled up in front of the rickety cabin, Suzie saw a wrinkled older man come out the door with a shotgun. “What the hell, Willie Mae?”
Willie Mae chuckled. “Just stay in the car, Suzie. I won’t be but a few minutes.”
Willie Mae got out of the car, carrying her giant bowl of gumbo. “Morning Arnie, I brought you a bowl of gumbo.”
Squinting his eyes, Arnie looked at the pretty blond woman in the police car. “Who’s your friend Willie Mae?”
Grinning, Willie Mae said, “That’s Suzie Beachum, a new officer at the department. “
Taking the bowl from Willie Mae, Arnie said, “Sorry to hear about Clifton. He was a good man.”
Willie Mae patted Arnie’s arm. “Arnie, I need to ask you a question. Have you heard who is in charge of the State Line Mob now that George Buchanan is in prison?”
Arnie squinted at Willie Mae. “What are you up to, Willie Mae? Why do you want to know about the State Line Mob?”
With a hard glint in her eye, Willie Mae responded, “I am not up to anything, Arnie. Jack knew I was coming out here with the gumbo and wanted me to ask you if you had heard anything.”
Arnie nodded his head. “I was at the bait shop last week and heard Buddy Colfax is running things now. Buddy was supposed to be working in the
