The Major's Wife. Anthony Whyte
detective! Yes, my husband and I have had our ups and downs in the marriage. But I tell you we love each other, and always made up. We—”
Diana’s abruptly halted speaking and burst into tears. Detective Sharkey watched as tears filled her eyes and, and with her body heaving from the tremors of the flood of emotion, she wept. Sharkey handed her a handkerchief. Diana reached into her handbag and pulled out a pack of tissue. She quickly grabbed a couple of sheets and dabbed at her eyes.
“Would you be able to identify these men if you saw them again?”
“Yes, I think so. I mean it wasn’t that long ago…”
“Okay, we’ll follow up on that. Was that night at the bar the only time that you know of?”
“Yes, at least when I’m with him. Sometimes my husband,” Diana said, and paused. Removing some tissues, Diana dabbed at her eyes before continuing. “Vaughn liked to hang out with his friends. They have a tightly knit military bond. ‘Esprit de Corp,’ Vaughn used to call it. Sometimes I wasn’t even invited or allowed to attend their secret meetings.”
“Did you ever try to find out what happens at these ah…secret meetings?”
“Don’t ask—don’t tell… I did not need to know—it was my husband’s defense. Or just kill me with silence. Vaughn never shares any of that part of his life with me. He guarded it as if it was some sort of damn top secret. But if I could make a guess, I’d say they probably just sat around gambling and drinking. That was mostly what he and his friends would do in their downtime anyway.”
“How often did he go on these secret meetings?”
“Whenever the military sent him, sometimes three or four times a year.”
“And for how long would he be gone?”
“He could be gone anywhere from overnight to months. I mean, we have been married for seven years, but we’ve lived together for less than half of that time.”
“What happened to the other three and half years?” the detective asked, looking baffled.
“Not counting his actual combat time, well I should. My husband has been away from me due to the gulf wars, military schools, and other things such as military conferences. There are functions where wives are not allowed. He was married to the army, and Uncle Sam the same length of time as he’s been married to me.”
“Could there be anyone you know of out of all these men from the bar—”
“No, no, no, Detective Sharkey. I don’t.”
It did not matter how differently detective Sharkey phrased his questions. Diana seemed forthcoming and remained firm with her answers. Vigorously shaking her head, the bereaved spouse sob quietly. The Enterprise detective was fishing for any clue, and Diana was convincing in her role as a grieving wife. The police had no reason to doubt her, and they were already verifying her story. She was adamant when she spoke of her knowledge.
“Did your husband have a drinking problem?”
“No detective. You mean, was he an alcoholic? Vaughn sometimes drank a lot, but he always seemed to be in control. Military living and the missions he did were very stressful. Sometimes Vaughn needed time to unwind, relax and let off steam.”
“Sounds like he was a good all-round American, huh?”
“Yes, you could say that, detective. Vaughn’s father is a retired general. Vaughn had a great education and great role models around him all his life. We lived a good life.”
“Then you who wouldn’t know anyone who wanted to do away with your husband?” Sharkey asked.
“No, I don’t know anyone who would want to do that. Vaughn and I had our share of ups and downs, and I wouldn’t kill him. He was the perfect man for me,” she said, staring at the detective.
“You remember how many men were there at the bar that night with this guy?”
“Yes, there were about three or four in their group, I think. I can’t remember exactly, but I’ll say about three or four of them.”
“Three men plus the guy that assaulted you, or was it four friends plus the jerk who grabbed your ass?”
“It was four friends plus the jerk who grabbed my ass.”
“But that would make it five guys, right, Diana?” McAlister said.
“Yes, four or five, I can’t remember exactly.”
“Do you remember the name of the bar?”
“Yes, it’s an oyster… Ah Blue Oyster’s,” she said.
“What about the names of any of the guys from the bar?”
“No, I don’t know any of their names.”
“But you’ll be able to identify them from a line-up?”
“It was about four weeks or so ago. But yes, I think I would be able to identify them.”
Unknown to Diana, there were other investigators still huddling to watch the television monitor. The questioning continued for another hour, during which time, the police found nothing new. Sharkey again left the room and went outside to smoke a cigarette. He was pondering about the interview while smoking when McAlister walked out and joined him.
“What’s the matter? She gave us something new?” Sharkey asked.
“No, I gave her a break. She’s been though enough. I left her speaking with the service reps, ” McAlister said. Then he quickly added. “I have a hunch that if we find those men he fought with at the bar, we might possibly be able to find a killer?”
“King was well-loved amongst his military buddies. So you could be right about the incident at the bar. Maybe it was someone from outside his circle that we should be looking for,” Sharkey said, glancing at his partner.
It was afternoon when the military representatives and the police met to discuss the progress of the investigation. Diana was left in the interview room while the discussion took place in the detectives’ office.
“What do you think so far?” Sharkey asked.
“I think we should follow up with the incident at the bar. Maybe get witnesses fish around somebody may know who these clowns are,” Captain Blackbird said.
“And you, partner?”
“Yes, I feel there’s something there. Diana is a beautiful woman, and guys at bars sometimes don’t care if a woman is married or even with her husband. Too much alcohol and they’re grabbing ass. Now you have a deadly mix that could lead to someone’s feeling getting hurt.”
“It’s a start. I guess we can wrap this up now then,” Sharkey said.
There was a knock on the door, a uniformed officer peeked in and said, “Her father’s here, ranting, raving, and wants her released now. He brought his attorney with him.”
“Okay, we’re not holding her so she can go whenever she’s ready,” Sharkey said.
The detectives walked to the interview room where Diana was waiting. She watched both detectives as they continued speaking under hushed tones. Then Sharkey said, “Thank you for your corporation, Dr. King. And again, my condolences… We’ll get the perpetrator and bring you some justice. You’re free to go, Diana,” Sharkey smiled. “If we have any further questions, we’ll be in touch.”
McAlister opened the door and saw the older man not too far away. The angered older man was arguing vehemently with a military officer.
“I can’t believe you, cocksuckers!” He said, approaching the detectives.
“Is that your father?” Sharkey asked Diana.
“Yes, that’s him,” she said, watching the old man coming toward them.