Dr. King tried to keep her mind from being preoccupied, but she could hear the chatter going on between the detectives. The murder of her husband was the topic of their discussion. Diana King held her head straight while being shown to a room where Sharkey sat a desk studying her profile listed in a chart. He was listening to his partner, and a glib private banter was occurring between the detectives. McAlister saw her, broke away, and hurried to greet Diana King. The officer escorting her knocked, and both detectives look up to see her.
“Good morning Dr. King. Come on in,” McAlister greeted and shut the door.
“Good morning, Detective McAlister.”
“Please have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Diana King responded, taking a seat.
Sharkey remained standing and observant while McAlister sat across from Dr. King.
“I know you’re grieving, but thanks for coming in,” McAlister said.
“We’re going to be asking some questions regarding your husband’s death, and you’re going to have to be as candid about your answers some of the questions may come off as—” Sharkey said.
“Are you trying to tell me that I should’ve brought a lawyer?” Dr. King asked, interrupting.
“That would’ve been a choice—” Sharkey started, and was interrupted by his younger partner.
“Diana, it isn’t that bad,” McAlister said, nodding and softly smiling. “We’d like to know exactly what happened that day. Be specific, and also try not to leave anything out.”
“Okay, I’ll do that,” Diana King said and began relating the story. “We were playing golf with friends, and it just started raining. The unexpected change in weather put a cap on a pleasant day we were having. We were planning to meet with friends at the Ponderosa Restaurant. Then we hopped into the Mercedes Benz SUV and traveled along route 84 to Enterprise. Vaughn took the shortcut through Fort Rucker, the flight-training base for Army Aviation located mostly in Dale County, cut the trip time in half…”
“I’m famished,” Vaughn said.
“Going through the base is the quickest way to Enterprise,” Vaughn said.
The vehicle rolled to a stop at the entrance to the U.S. Army post. Since the 911-attack security at all checkpoints and gates on the prestigious home to the U. S. Army Aviation Museum increased.
“Good evening, sir,” a smooth-faced army sentry greeted with a sharp salute.
King returned the salute, and the couple quickly went through the military checkpoint. Leaving the military base with nothing but eating was on his mind, King drove thinking about the restaurant’s quickest route.
“Looks like another stormy night, honey,” Diana said.
“It sure looks like it. Glad we were able to get eighteen rounds in today,” Vaughn smiled at his wife.
A family therapist once advised Vaughn King to be more communicative in his relationship. Vaughn hated small talk, and Diana loved to engage in it. The discussions would begin simply then gradually spiraled out of control. Their harmless chatter would end in heated arguments. The couple sought professional help, and on the recommendation of the family therapist, Dr. Janopolis, Vaughn tried his best to participate in Diana’s small talk. They were within a couple of minutes of arriving at the restaurant, and Diana suddenly made an urgent request.
“Honey, can you please make a stop at my office?”
“Oh Diana, you know I’m starved—”
“I just have to—”
“We told everyone we’ll meet in fifteen minutes to eat, and you’re asking me to make a stop…?”
“Baby, I promise not to be gone long. I’m just picking up a file, and we’ll meet your friends,” Diana pleaded.
“C’mon—”
Diana cut off her husband’s protest with a swift kiss and said, “The restaurant is just a way down the road from my office. It’s only seven-thirty. We’ll get there way before eight, honey. You know, that’s when your friends will be there. Be a sweetheart,” she smiled, patting his stomach. “I’m sure you can wait a few more minutes.”
“C’mon, Diana. I’ve been playing golf all day. I’m famished—”
“We were riding around in a golf cart,” Diana smiled, putting her finger on her husband’s lips.
“You were riding in golf carts sightseeing. I was busy swinging my clubs. Now I’m ready to chow down on some juicy steaks,” Vaughn said, licking his lips.
“I’m sure you were.”
“I was—”
“And you probably thought you were Tiger Woods when you were giving lessons to all the horny women from the Officer Wives Club—”
“They’re not—”
“Is that’s what you mean by ‘swinging your club,’ Vaughn?”
“Diana, that right there—that’s your jealousy speaking for you. Remember the marriage counselor distinctly saying whenever you start making up stuff in your head—”
“No, this situation doesn’t apply. Other husbands were there, and they were showing those horny-husband-stealers how to hold a damn golf club too. But no… They all just wanted to run to you like some damn fly on shit.”
“Maybe they just recognize talent,” Vaughn said with a sardonic grin.
“I tell you they recognized something alright,” Diana shot back.
“You know what…? You’re just a jealous one—”
“Vaughn, you may call it jealousy. It’s not. But so what if I am jealous…? You’re my husband. Dammit! And you know, I’m protective of what’s mine,” Diana said, pointing to the ring on her left hand. “For whatever that’s worth—”
“Alright, Diana. If you calm down, I’ll do it—”
Vaughn King’s face held the smile. He shook his head when he heard his wife pleadings.
“Please, please, Vaughn. I’m calm… I’ll be calm. But I have to prepare to testify in this separation case in the morning, and you know how paranoid I get when I’m not prepared,” Diana said, pausing and batting her eyes before continuing. “I become neurotic,” she smiled, grabbing the sides of her face.
“But you know you could’ve done this yesterday when you were downtown. You know that, right?”
“Yes, I do. You’re right, Vaughn. But honey, I was soo busy rushing to catch the hairdresser. I just totally forgot to get it. And you know what a long wait I had for that appointment. I couldn’t miss it. She’s so busy all the time, and I don’t want anyone else doing my hair. I’m scared they’ll mess it up –”
“Alright, alright. A pit stop it is then, Diana.”
“I’ll be right quick, Vaughn.”
“I’m glad it’s that, and not another long counseling session for one of your clients,” Vaughn said in resignation. “I thought we were gonna have some time for—”
“I promise, honey. We’ll be at the Ponderosa in two shakes. And you’ll be able to eat all the steaks you want,” Diana smiled. “It’s imperative that I get this record tonight, honey. I’ve gotta do some work on it first thing tomorrow and…”
“Okay, okay, Diana. I got you,” Vaughn said, pushing his foot harder on the gas.
“Be