Captain's Mission by Debby Giusti

Author:Debby Giusti
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

As Phil drove them back to post, Kelly called Dr. Kutter’s clinic and inquired about Mildred Taylor. No one by that name had been admitted into the short-term care center or to the Freemont Hospital when she called that facility.

Her third call was to the Labor Department’s office in Atlanta that handled Medicare fraud in Georgia. Although the agent with whom she spoke couldn’t reveal specific information, he did indicate there was some question about Dr. Kutter’s practice.

Ironic though it was that Mildred Taylor had left Magnolia Gardens at the time when Kelly needed to find a bed for her own mother, Phil wondered if releasing Millie to Lola’s care had been in the older woman’s best interest. He was beginning to agree with Kelly that the daughter-in-law’s actions seemed questionable.

Once they were in his office, Kelly threw her hands in the air, needing to vent some of her frustration. “Mrs. Baker said Mildred was walking and physically fit when she left the home. Now’s she’s bedridden and senile.”

Although Kelly echoed his own concerns, Phil did offer an explanation. “A year can be a long time for someone her age.”

“Yes, but—”

The chirp of Kelly’s cell phone interrupted her reply. “This is Special Agent McQueen.” She glanced down. “That’s right.”

The intense look on Kelly’s face indicated the call was important. Phil watched as she focused her attention on the person on the other end of the line.

“Thanks for rushing the ballistic tests through.”

Phil’s gut tightened. He pulled in a deep breath, wondering what the Atlanta CID lab had determined.

Kelly nodded. “Right.” She made a notation on a tablet she pulled from her purse.

“You’re sure?” Another pause. “Thanks.”

She hung up and looked at Phil. “The CID ballistic testing lab got a match.”

Drawing a second notebook from her purse, she rifled through the pages. “Here it is. The weapon was issued to—”

She glanced up at Phil, her eyes wide. “This is interesting. The round that killed Corporal Taylor was fired from Private Benjamin Stanley’s M-4 carbine.”

“Are you sure?”

“The lab techs said it was a good match.”

Phil walked around his desk. “And Stanley is a good solider.”

“Who’s had the hardest time dealing with Taylor’s death.” She reached for her purse. “I need to talk to Stanley. Would you call Lieutenant Bellows and tell him I’m coming over to the platoon headquarters? See if he can round up the private.”

Phil grabbed his hat. “You’re not going alone. I want to talk to him, as well.”

As they left Phil’s office and headed across the grassy knoll to the platoon area, he turned to Kelly. “How do you plan to handle this?”

“Very carefully. You realize this man more than likely killed another solider. Trust me, Phil, I’m not going to do anything you wouldn’t approve.”

“I’m concerned about Stanley.”

“I’m more concerned about Corporal Taylor. He deserves to have the truth revealed about his death and his killer.”

“You mean the man who accidentally fired the fatal round,” Phil corrected.

“Okay, I need to watch my words, but let me do my job.

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