“How late did you stay out?”
“I don’t remember.”
“And you don’t remember seeing anyone else?”
“A few of the older guys were out, but they don't socialize with us.” This is new information that the police weren’t aware of. Jesus, she’s good.
“What are their names?”
“Travis Marrs and Hunter Abrahams. But like I said, we saw them, but I don’t remember spending time with them. Not until I blacked out, anyway.”
I hear Detective Biceps writing down the names on a piece of paper behind me.
“Know these guys?” he asks.
“I haven’t heard of them,” I answer honestly.
“I find that hard to believe,” he snips.
I grit my teeth. “The base has six thousand people on it. Coming and going all the time from overseas and other bases. Some people are only here for a few days. And unless they come into my office, I won’t meet them, Detective. So write that in your fucking notepad.”
“She’s off-limits.” His voice lowers so Officer Sanchez can’t hear him, before turning his attention back to Katie.
“And why would I give a shit about whether or not you think she’s off-limits?”
This shouldn’t even be a conversation. Katie can’t stand me most of the time. But I’m not going to let this prick know that.
“She’s. Off. Limits,” he repeats.
“Until she tells me she’s off-limits, it’s on the table, Williams. So shut up and let me concentrate so I can do my job.”
“What exactly do you think you’re going to offer this investigation that Katie won’t? Nothing.” He scoffs, and what’s worse is he’s right. I might not be able to offer anything of value, but it’ll be a sure thing if he doesn’t shut the hell up for five minutes so I can think.
“Can we talk about your girlfriend?” Katie asks softly, and I pull my attention away from the detective.
“Why?”
“I want to know about your relationship with her.”
“No. You want to know if I’ve ever hurt her.”
She pauses for a second before she responds, and I watch the back of her head tilt as she considers him. “In a way. But not necessarily.”
She leaves it at that. Waiting him out to see if he bites. It’s a good tactic. When we studied, we were taught that one could learn a lot from silence. Most people will try to talk their way out of things, if only just to fill the discomfort of sitting with an authority figure. It’s awkward as hell, but it seems like Katie is doing just fine. Perhaps the detective has a point. I don’t have much to offer here.
“I met her on a dating app. She said she didn’t want to date a soldier because her dad was one, so I didn’t tell her I was in the army until ourthird date.”
Starting your relationship with a lie. Not a great start. I jot down the note on my notepad. I watch Katie write something, too.
“When I told her, she was upset. But I won her over. I told her I just knew she was special, and I had to try to get her to meet me. There was this connection, even just messaging with her and talking on the phone. I knew I had to meet her.”
I see the back of Katie’s head nod.
“She agreed to see me again, and I bought her flowers to apologize. I told her how grateful I was that she was giving me another chance. She’s so beautiful and kind. She told me she really liked me, but she wouldn’t tolerate any more lies. She said I had to be honest with her, or this wouldn’t work.”
“And have you been?” Katie asks.
“Yes, I’ve never lied to her again. She’s the one for me. I don’t want anyone else. I would never screw this up.” He’s hyperventilating now. The girlfriend is a trigger for him. “I promise you, I didn’t do this. You believe me, right? You can tell the detective? I would never. I would never do anything to hurt anyone else. Never. Not a woman. I’d never screw up my life like that. I love Hannah. I love her. I want to be with her forever.”
