The General's Daughter

irrational, and that it had nothing to do with her father’s behavior toward her. We all have imagined enemies, and when it’s a parent, no amount of parental love or caring can overcome that anger in the child’s mind. This was a very disturbed woman who needed help, and she wasn’t getting it. In fact, that son-of-a-bitch Moore was fueling the flames of her anger for his own sick purposes. I believe he wanted to see how far he could push and control the dynamics of this situation.”

No one spoke for a full minute, then Cynthia inquired, “Why wasn’t some drastic action taken by the general? Isn’t this the man who led an armored task force to the Euphrates River?”

Colonel Fowler replied, “That was easy. Handling Ann Campbell was not so easy. Actually, the general considered such action about a year ago. But according to the professional advice I was getting, had the general intervened by having Colonel Moore transferred, for instance, or having Ann ordered into therapy, which he could do as a commander, the situation may have gotten worse. So the general listened to this advice and let the situation take its own course.”

I commented, “And it wouldn’t have done the general’s career much good to pull rank on Moore and his daughter. and thereby admit there was a problem.”

Colonel Fowler replied, “It was a very delicate situation. Mrs. Campbell… Ann’s mother thought that the situation would improve if Ann was left to vent her irrational anger. So it was a standoff. But the general had decided to act, just a week ago. But then… well, it was too late.”

“How,” I inquired, “did the general decide to act?”

Colonel Fowler thought a moment and replied, “I don’t know if telling you anything further is relevant to this case.”

“Tell me and I’ll decide.”

“Well… all right, then. The general, a few days ago, gave his daughter an ultimatum. He gave her options. Option one was to resign her commission. Option two was to discontinue her duties at the school and agree to some sort of therapy of the general’s choice—inpatient or out. Option three, the general informed her that if she turned down those options, he would have the staff judge advocate investigate her misconduct and draw up charges for a general court-martial.”

I nodded. Somehow, I felt, this ultimatum, if it was true, precipitated what happened on rifle range six. I asked Colonel Fowler, “How did she respond to this ultimatum?”

“She told her father she’d have an answer for him within two days. But she didn’t. She was murdered.”

I said, “Maybe that was her answer.”

Colonel Fowler looked somewhat startled. “What do you mean by that?”

“Think about it, Colonel.”

“You mean she had Colonel Moore assist her in some sort of bizarre suicide?”

“Perhaps.” I asked him, “And there is no single or specific incident from the past that would explain Captain Campbell’s anger toward her father?”

“Such as what?”

“Such as… rival affections—mother, daughter, that sort of thing.”

Colonel Fowler regarded me closely for a moment as if I were a step away from crossing the line between a murder investigation and an unspeakable breach of conduct and ethics. He replied coolly, “I don’t know what you’re getting at, Mr. Brenner, and I suggest you don’t even try to explain.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is that all?”

“I’m afraid not. It gets even muckier, Colonel. You say you had no sexual relationship with the deceased. Why not?’

“What do you mean, why not?”

“I mean, why did she not proposition you, or if she did, did you turn her down?”

Colonel Fowler’s eyes flitted to the door for a second as if to assure himself that Mrs. Fowler was not around to hear this. He replied, “She never propositioned me.”

“I see. Was that because you’re black or because she knew it was a useless attempt?”

“I… I would rather think it was… She did date a few black officers… not here at Hadley, but in the past, so it wasn’t that. So I’d have to say that she knew…” He smiled for the first time. “… she knew I was not corruptible.” He added, again with a smile, “Or she thought I was ugly.”

Cynthia said, “But you’re not, Colonel, and even if you were, it wouldn’t have mattered to Ann Campbell. I suspect she did proposition you, and you turned her down out of loyalty to your wife, your commanding officer, or because of your own sense of morality. At that point, you became Ann Campbell’s second worst enemy.”

Fowler had clearly had enough and said, “I don’t think I’ve ever had a conversation like this in my life.”

I replied, “You’ve probably never been involved in a homicide investigation.”

“No, I haven’t, and if you would make that arrest, this investigation would be over.”

“Actually, it would continue right up to and through a court-martial. I don’t make many mistakes, Colonel, but when I think I may have, I don’t mind working hard to expose my own errors.”

“I commend you, Mr. Brenner. Perhaps, though, Colonel Moore can satisfy your doubts.”

“He can try, but he may have his own version of events. I like to have everyone’s version so I can make a better evaluation as to the quality of the bullshit.”

“As you wish.’

Cynthia asked him, “Did Captain Campbell have any brothers or sisters?”

“There is a brother.”

“What can you tell us about him?”

“He lives out on the West Coast. Some place with a Spanish name. Can’t think of it.”

“He’s not military?”

“No. He’s… he has explored many careers.”

“I see. You’ve met him?”

“Yes. He comes home most holidays.”

“Does he strike you as suffering from the same problems you suggested his sister was suffering from?”

“To some extent… but he chose to distance himself from the family. That’s how he deals with it. During the Gulf War, for instance, when some California TV station wanted to interview him, they couldn’t find him.”

Cynthia asked, “Would you describe him as alienated from his parents?”

“Alienated? No… just distant. When he’s home, they all seem quite happy to see him, and then sad that he’s left.”

“And how was the relationship between brother and sister?”

“Very good, from what I could see. Ann Campbell was very accepting of him.”

“In regard to his… what? His life-style?”

“Yes. John Campbell—that’s his name—is gay.”

“I see. And did General Campbell accept this?”

Fowler thought a moment, then replied, “I think he did. John Campbell was always discreet—never brought male lovers home, dressed pretty much mainstream and all that. I think if the general hadn’t had his hands full with his daughter and her indiscretions, he might have been more disappointed in his son. But compared to Ann, John is a solid citizen.”

“I understand,” Cynthia said. “Do you think that General Campbell perhaps pushed his daughter into a traditional male role—I mean West Point and the Army—to make up for his son’s lack of interest in those pursuits?”

“That’s what everyone says. But, as with most of life, things aren’t that pat. In fact, Ann was a very enthusiastic cadet at West Point. She wanted to be there and she did very well. After her four-year active-duty obligation, she stayed in. So, no, I don’t think the general pushed her or coerced her, or withheld affection from her as a child, if, for instance, she showed no interest in going to the Point. That’s what this psychologist suggested, but it was very much the opposite. Ann Campbell, as I remember her in high school, was a tomboy, and a good candidate for a military career. In fact, she wanted to continue the tradition. Her father’s father was a career Army officer as well.”

Cynthia thought a moment, then reminded him, “You said she hated the Army.”