A Private War by Patrick Sheane Duncan

Author:Patrick Sheane Duncan [Duncan, Patrick Sheane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: military thriller, suspense
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 2020-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Meredith had been under hostile fire in Somalia, Panama, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan. Before that she had been through the hellish rigors of Ranger training, and during Jump School she had a parachute collapse on her third jump and she had to cut loose her main chute and use her reserve. She had been battle-tested.

But Otto Wojahn had beaten her.

She hated to lose and was still replaying and analyzing the encounter, trying to think of another tack she could have taken, when she stepped out of the building.

Chief Lindell was standing next to his car, the traditional fire-engine-red sedan, apparently waiting for her. He straightened up when he saw Meredith and walked over to intercept her.

“Colonel?” He looked hopeful. “You met with Mr. Wojahn?”

“Yes, Chief.” Meredith nodded. “And I don’t have any good news for you. I tried my best, but…”

“I understand, Colonel.” Lindell’s shoulders sagged with disappointment. “It’s nothing new. I was just hoping…with a new PM.… It is a dire situation, Colonel.”

“I read your report, Chief, and I agree with you. I haven’t given up. As soon as I can focus on it, I will try something else.”

The Chief nodded glumly and got into his car, muttering his thanks. Meredith walked toward the MP station.

She had let one of her people down. And on her first official day, when she should have come through for them and proven that she was there to provide for their needs. Oh, no, she wasn’t through with Otto Wojahn, not by a long shot.

Still mulling over how she might deal with the unpleasant DRM as she entered the MP station, Meredith was so preoccupied that she almost ran into Sergeant Gorman coming down the stairs.

Gorman was excited about something; her eyes were animated with enthusiasm.

“Colonel! Colonel! I was looking for you!” she exclaimed.

“You’re not still on duty, are you, Sergeant Gorman?” Meredith asked with concern.

“No, ma’am. I’m on my own time. Already had some Z’s. Colonel, I’d like your permission to pursue an angle on the Carnes homicide—if it’s okay with you.”

Gorman was as eager as a puppy with a pull toy. Meredith couldn’t help smiling. Had she had that kind of enthusiasm once?

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your assigned duties, I have no problem with it,” Meredith cautioned, and added, “Coordinate with Mr. Tate, though, he’s the case officer.”

Thank you, ma’am!” Gorman charged down the stairs to CID. Meredith continued up with little of the same energy.

When she got to her floor, Meredith made a point of stopping by Sergeant Kahla’s office first. She passed on Gorman’s request to work with the MP investigation team. Making it clear that Meredith wasn’t trying to usurp Kahla’s authority, she put in a good word for the female sergeant.

When she entered Underhill’s office next, he was on the phone with someone who sounded like a representative of the civilian employees union.

“If you want, George, I’ll take the lie-detector test first, show all your people that it doesn’t make them sterile, if that’s what they’re worried about.

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