The General's Daughter

“There’s a man after my own heart.”

“Right. But people can’t be watched all the time, and where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“Correct. So he had no idea, obviously, that she was furthering her career in nontraditional ways.”

“I very much doubt it.”

“And if he found out that his father was sharing the honey, he’d be annoyed.”

“To say the very least.”

“Good. I’ve never had my hands around so many balls.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Not me. I’m just doing my job.”

“Do you want a sandwich?”

“You buying?”

“Sure.” She stood. “I need some air. I’ll run over to the O Club.”

“Cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke.”

“Tidy up this place while I’m gone.” She left.

I called Baker on the intercom, and she reported. I gave her my handwritten note regarding Dalbert Elkins and asked her to type it.

She said to me, “Would you recommend me for CID School?”

“It’s not as much fun as it looks, Baker.”

“I really want to be a criminal investigator.”

“Why?”

‘It’s exciting.”

“Why don’t you talk to Ms. Sunhill about it?”

“I did, when she was here yesterday. She said it was fun and exciting, lots of travel, and you meet interesting people.”

“Right, and you arrest them.”

“She said she met you in Brussels. That sounds romantic.” I didn’t reply.

“She said she’s got orders for a permanent duty station in Panama when she’s finished here.”

“Would you get me some fresh coffee?”

“Yes, sir.”

“That will be all.”

She left.

Panama.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FIVE

Colonel Fowler called at 1645 hours and I took the call, telling Cynthia to pick up the other line and listen.

Colonel Fowler said, “My wife is available at 1730 hours, at home, Mrs. Campbell at 1800 hours, at Beaumont House, and the general will see you at his office at Post Headquarters at 1830 hours, sharp.”

I commented, “That’s cutting the interviews close.”

“Actually,” he replied, “it’s cutting them short.”

“That’s what I meant.”

“The three parties you wish to speak to are under a great deal of stress, Mr. Brenner.”

“So am I, but I thank you.”

“Mr. Brenner, has it occurred to you that you may be upsetting people?”

“It has occurred to me.”

“The funeral, as I said, is tomorrow morning. Why don’t you and Ms. Sunhill brief the FBI people, attend the funeral if you wish, then leave. The investigation will proceed nicely without you, and the murderer will be brought to justice in good time. This is not a timed exercise.”

“Well, it wasn’t, but the idiots in Washington made it one.”

“Mr. Brenner, from the very beginning, you chose to charge through here like Grant took Richmond, with no regard to protocol or other people’s sensibilities.”

“That’s how Grant took Richmond, Colonel.”

“And they are still pissed-off at Grant in Richmond.”

“Right. Colonel, I knew from the beginning that this case would be pulled away from me, from the CID. The Pentagon and the White House did the politically correct thing, and God bless civilian control of the military. But if I have about twenty hours left, I’ll use it my way.”

“As you wish.”

“Trust me to conclude this case in a way that will not bring discredit on the Army. Don’t trust the FBI or the Attorney General’s Office to do that.”

“I won’t comment on that.”

“Best that you don’t.”

“On another topic, Mr. Brenner, your request to seize the contents of Colonel Moore’s office has gone all the way to the Pentagon, and they turned it down for national security reasons.”

“That’s the very best of reasons, sir. But it’s odd that the people in Washington want me to arrest Colonel Moore for murder, but I can’t get permission to examine his files.”

“That’s what happens when you ask. You know that.”

“Indeed I do. That’s the last time I go through channels.”

“That’s your call. But the Pentagon did say that if you arrest Colonel Moore at this time, they will fly someone down here with the necessary clearance and authority to assist you in going through the files on a selective basis. But it can’t be a fishing expedition. You must know what you’re looking for.”

“Right. I’ve been that route before. If I knew what the hell I was looking for, I probably wouldn’t need it.”

“Well, that’s the best I could do. What clearance do you have?”

“Oh, about five foot eleven.” He didn’t laugh, so I said, “Secret clearance.”

“All right, I’ll pass that on. Meantime, the Psy-Ops School is sending people down to Jordan Field to collect the contents of Captain Campbell’s office and return everything to the school. You and Colonel Kent will not be charged with a crime for removing the contents, but letters of reprimand have been put in your files.” He added, “You must obey the law like the rest of us.”

“Well, I usually do when I know what it is.”

“You don’t confiscate classified material without proper authorization.”

“Someone’s trying to sandbag me, Colonel.”

“Not only that, someone’s trying to screw you. Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’ve made inquiries about Captain Campbell’s time at West Point. Correct?”

“That’s correct. Did I ask the wrong question?”

“Apparently.”

I glanced at Cynthia and inquired of Colonel Fowler, “Can you tell me anything about that, Colonel?”

“I know nothing about it, except that they’re asking me why you’re asking.”

“Who are they?”

“I can’t say. But you hit a nerve, Mr. Brenner.”

“It sounds like you’re trying to help me, Colonel.”

“Upon consideration, you and Ms. Sunhill may be the best people for this job. But you won’t conclude this case in time, so I’m advising you to protect yourselves.” He added, “Lay low.”

“Ms. Sunhill and I are not criminals. We are criminal investigators.”

“The letter of reprimand was a warning shot. The next shot is aimed for the heart.”

“Right, but I’m firing it.”