Archer’s scowl lines deepened. “Did Albright have a motive for killing your husband?”
“The best in the world.” Susan felt her face flushing as her anger increased. “Revenge. Brian was the one who put the finger on Albright at the trial. If it hadn’t been for Brian’s testimony, Albright might never have been convicted.”
“I remember reading about that trial.” Archer’s voice was thoughtful. “I never understood how your husband could be so sure Albright murdered the commander. Any one of the six other men at the table might have done it.”
“Brian felt Albright move his arm,” Susan said, remembering what Brian had told her. Her fingers tightened around her napkin. “Don Albright had the gun, for God’s sake. He killed his squadron commander because of a bad effectiveness report that kept him from getting promoted.”
She stared at Archer, daring him to dispute her. Don Albright was guilty as sin, and she wanted the whole world to know it.
Archer met her gaze head-on. “Did they ever find the accomplice?”
“You mean the person who turned out the lights?”
He nodded. “Whoever it was must have known he’d be an accomplice to murder. If that person was a friend, why couldn’t the police find him or her?”
“Maybe it wasn’t a friend. Maybe Albright paid somebody to help him.” Alarm and anger rippled along her spine. “You seem awfully sympathetic to that murderer all of a sudden. For a minute there, I thought I was talking to Albright’s defense attorney.”
He shrugged dismissively. “Just playing devil’s advocate. That’s a good way to find out what somebody thinks.”
“Well, now you know exactly what I think.” Susan settled back in her chair.
“I understand several thousand dollars were offered to anyone with information about the commander’s murder.” There was a subtle undercurrent in his voice. “You’re suggesting Albright paid his accomplice. If he’d take Albright’s money, why not the reward?”
It was a question she couldn’t answer. Disturbed, Susan shifted uneasily on her chair. Why did Archer make her so darned nervous?
“Dozens of people turned up to claim the reward,” she said. “But none of their stories checked out. The missing accomplice was one of the weak links in the case.”
Across from her, Archer shot her a cynical smile. Then his gaze shifted to something or someone behind her.
“Sorry to interrupt your lunch, Lieutenant Wade.”
Susan glanced up to see Major Savage, her squadron commander, staring down at her with his hawklike eyes.
“SORRY TO INTERRUPT,” Major Savage said again, after Susan had introduced him to Archer. “But there’s been a new development in your husband’s murder. The Spokane police want to see you at their headquarters across the river.”
Apprehension coursed through Susan as she rose to her feet. What was so important that the police had to see her immediately? She’d already told her story over and over again. Her heart pounding, she glanced at Archer. “Can it wait half an hour or so? Mr. Archer and I haven’t finished our business.”
Major Savage shook his head. “I’m afraid not, Lieutenant. When the police tried to reach you on the base, I checked your sign-out board and saw you were here. I told them I’d make sure you got there ASAP.”
Nodding, Archer helped her slip into her coat. “I’ll be at the hotel for a couple of days, Mrs. Wade. We can get together tomorrow and go over these forms.”
“Fine,” she said, more anxious by the minute.
With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Susan allowed Major Savage to escort her across the stone-floored lobby and through the etched glass doors of the Riverfront Hotel.
An air force staff car was parked in front of the lobby entrance. Susan could barely hide her startled gasp when she saw who was inside. Seated beside the driver on the passenger seat was a lanky lieutenant colonel she recognized as John Tinnerman, the commander of the security police squadron at the base. In back was a lieutenant she’d met at the officers’ club. With rising concern she identified him as Phil Davidson, a lawyer recently assigned to Fairchild.
A lawyer and a military policeman. “What’s going on?” she cried as the car moved away from the hotel.
“Pull into the Azteca parking lot,” Major Savage told the driver. “We need some time to talk, and it’ll take only ten minutes to get to police headquarters from here.” He turned to face Susan. “Detective MacElroy said he had new information about your husband’s death. I have no idea what that news is, but thought it best to bring one of our base attorneys along.”
Colonel Tinnerman grinned at her from the front seat. “And I’m here for moral support. If you’ve got questions about the police and how they operate, I’m your man.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said gratefully. With his round face and button nose, the colonel was one of the homeliest men she’d ever seen, but his down-home manner reassured her.
During the next half hour—interrupted occasionally by Major Savage—she briefed the attorney about her husband’s case. When he was satisfied, they resumed their drive across the river.
Arriving in front of the City County Public Safety Building, Susan and the lawyer climbed out of the back seat. Neither Major Savage nor Colonel Tinnerman moved.
Dismayed, Susan peered in the back window at Major Savage. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
The major shook his head. “When the police interview you, they won’t allow anyone but your attorney in the room. The car will take the colonel and me to the base. It’ll be back for you in about an hour.”
With a lump in her throat, Susan turned away. Major Savage wasn’t the friendliest commander she’d worked for, but she’d counted on his support. Instead, she had a fuzzy-faced lieutenant just out of law school.
“I don’t think they’re going to charge you,” Lieutenant Davidson said, holding the door to the building open for her. “But Major Savage thought it would be a good idea for me to come along, regardless. If they do arrest you at some future time, you’d be better off with a civilian attorney since your husband’s murder occurred in a civilian jurisdiction.”
The young lieutenant sounded more capable than his youthful appearance indicated. But that didn’t keep Susan’s legs from shaking as she walked to Detective MacElroy’s office.
MacElroy stood and extended his hand when Susan and Lieutenant Davidson entered. She recognized him immediately. A big, barrel-chested man with a florid complexion and bushy mustache, MacElroy was in charge of the on-going investigation into Brian’s death. Since the murder had occurred off base, the local civilian authorities had jurisdiction.
After introducing Davidson, Susan shook Mac-Elroy’s hand and lowered herself onto one of the two chairs in front of his inspection-clean desk.
“Thanks for coming, Lieutenant Wade, Lieutenant Davidson,” MacElroy said. After settling himself, he placed a tape recorder on his desk. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to tape our interview.”
Susan caught Davidson’s nod. “That’s customary,” he said.
Swallowing hard, she gave a shaky “Yes.”
MacElroy started the recorder. When he focused on Susan, his eyes narrowed. “Since you’re not under arrest, you’re free to leave at any time. Is that clear?”
“Yes.” She forced the word out through clenched teeth.
“You