“Chief, I gotta tell ya—”
“Sharkey, if you let me finish… It’s in everyone’s best interest that we all cooperate in this investigation as much as possible. Our cooperation will lead to us bringing his killer to justice as quickly and efficiently as possible. All-access to information involving this case is granted to our military attaché headed by Captain Blackbird.”
Sharkey glanced in the direction and asked, “I’ll be damn! Is this some kind of joke or what…? Those two look like damn high school teenagers.”
It was about then the military officer stepped forward and reached out to shake Sharkey’s hand. Sharkey was still staring with curiosity at the mean-faced, rotund man in a bright blue suit.
“Captain, I can’t do my job with a lot of interference by every—”
“Be very careful what you’re about to say, detective. You’re already skating on thin ice around here. So play nice, and just don’t screw this one up. I’ll have none of your B.S.,” his superior officer snarled, holding Sharkey’s stare. Then he continued. “That means to play fair. And that’s an order, Sharkey!”
After barking out his command, the chief walked back into his office, leaving Sharkey with the military police contingent from Fort Rucker, accompanied by individual Army investigators.
“Oh, sure. Thank you, chief,” Sharkey said with sarcasm. Then waving his hand in a mock salute, he turned and looked at the military personnel. Without making any attempt to conceal his disdain look, he said, “I’m Detective Sharkey.”
“I’m Captain Blackbird from HHC eighty-third military police company at Fort Rucker, and my assistant, Sergeant First Class Eubanks, from Army CID. We’re assigned to assist in any way possible. And hopefully, we can speed up the investigative process.”
“All that sounds real nice, but we’re here to solve a murder. Not to throw a military pep rally or some kind of college shindig,” Sharkey said.
Ignoring Sharkey’s cynicism seemed natural to the youthful-looking army officer. Wearing a half-smile, Blackbird asked, “How’s the investigation going—”
“Nice to meet you, captain,” Sharkey said, shaking her hand, and interrupting her. Then he smiled wryly and continued. “Looks like one of your guys was shot several times in what seems like a botched robbery. Maybe the assailant didn’t have enough time to complete the robbery. Maybe? We checked the vehicle, and it is loaded with all kinds of electronic gadgetry. Despite that, nothing was taken. The SUV was still running with the keys in the ignition. King’s wallet and two cellphones were still sitting out in the open—absolutely nothing was taken.”
Captain Blackbird listened intently. Then staring straight ahead, she said, “Except for his life.”
“He died from his assailant or assailant’s gunshots. It seems like he may have fought bravely, but the killer or killers appeared to have wanted the captain dead.”
“That’s not good…you’re making it sound like an execution…? And his wife, Diana King, was the last to see him alive,” Captain Blackbird said, shaking her head. “Are there any other witnesses?”
“None so far,” Sharkey said.
“Sergeant Eubanks, was this detail of the case shared with headquarters?” Captain Blackbird asked.
“Yes, ma’am. The commander notified Homeland Security as per SOP, Captain,” Sergeant Eubanks said.
“Thank you, sergeant,” Captain Blackbird said.
“So far, no forensic evidence has been discovered. King’s grieving wife is the last person to see him alive, and she remains our only suspect. Yes, this is not good at all,” Sharkey deadpanned.
“We spoke with the medics, and they reported that one of the rounds perforated a vital blood vessel to his heart. And as a result, he lost way too much blood,” Captain Blackbird said, shaking her head. “His wife was there when the paramedics arrived. How would you classify the way she’s holding up?”
“I’d classify her as very distraught,” Sharkey said. Cynicism was still dripping when he continued. “Dr. King came in to answer our questions. She’s presently under our jurisdiction, and we’re following up on questioning of—” Detective Sharkey said, and Cpt. Blackbird interrupted him.
“May I have a few moments with her—”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I mean, you could talk to the wife, but my partner or I have to be present. I understand he was military, but the murder took place off base. Unfortunately, it happened right here in Enterprise—our jurisdiction. Right now, she’s our only link to the crime,” Sharkey said.
“I’ll remind you that Homeland Security is reviewing the case because of the captain’s military affiliation, and our ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Maybe it was a terrorist attack on U.S. military personnel.”
“Homeland Security?”
“Yes, there’s a chance this could be a domestic terrorist cell attempting to strike at U.S. military target,” Sergeant Eubanks reiterated.
“Terrorist attack…? Are you joshing me?” Sharkey sounded annoyed.
“We’re not overlooking the possibility. We’re also not here to fight over jurisdiction, detective. We’d simply like to see Dr. King ASAP. Thank you,” Blackbird deadpanned.
“Don’t thank me. Thank my chief,” Sharkey said, walking away with the military contingent in tow.
“Okay fine. I’ll talk to King’s wife with your guys present,” Cpt. Blackbird conceded, waving her hands. “What’s the doctor’s story?”
“Her story—we still have to check out. But she told us that they were returning from playing golf in Ozark, en route to dinner at the Ponderosa—couple blocks away from her office. Since they were close to her office, she said her husband, who was driving, made a quick stop. She got out of the car and went upstairs to her office.
“And the Captain remained outside?” Captain Blackbird asked.
“Yes, she left him inside the car. Five minutes later, she saw a crowd milling outside. She saw the doors to the vehicle open, and what she thought was some type of fisticuff altercation involving her husband. She said he has a temper. So she hurried outside. When she got downstairs, she saw the body lying on the street. She ran toward the crowd, and saw that it was her husband—bleeding and unconscious.”
“Were there any witnesses to the killing…or anyone able to confirm her side of the story?” Captain Blackbird asked, shaking her head.
“Yes. The caller was at the scene. A couple just happened to be driving by, saw the body lying next to the Monument, and called nine – one - one. We have their names, and they already verified the wife’s actions. But no one saw our shooter leaving the scene. Dr. King said she didn’t either,” Sharkey said.
“The bullets were precise shot-pattern. It seems like there was every intention to do just one thing,” Captain Blackbird said.
“Yes, too damn precise… Detective McAlister is with the wife now. We can watch the interview on the monitor. Detective McAlister and I shouldn’t be much longer with this phase of the investigation. Then you can have her,” Sharkey said.
“Thank you, detective,” Captain Blackbird said.
They walked into a room with monitors all around the walls. Sharkey pointed toward one of the doors. They walked inside and saw a couple of other men in suits. All eyes converged on the images on the closed circuit T.V. The interview cameras caught different angles of Dr. Diana King and gave all the perspectives from her point of view. The live-feed of King’s testimony kept all eyes and ears glued to the monitors.
“Vaughn