Chapters 9 & 10

Chapter 9

Katie was beginning to think that things couldn’t get any stranger, but one trip to the mailbox would prove her wrong.  There was a letter addressed to Ms. Katie Warren-Jones.  Strange that someone would put that and send it to this address.  She looked for a return address or a postmark but found neither.  She opened it and found a typed letter.  It read:
    Katie,
I hope by the time you read this, things are beginning to fall into place.  I know this is all hard to understand put please don’t give up.  Best thing to do is to get out of your father’s house.  Go to the ranch and live there.  It’s the perfect place to figure things out, and it’s where you belong.  You will love it there and you will be much safer.  Do this as soon as you can.  I must close now.  Will contact you later.
That’s how it ended.  No signature, no name, no identification whatsoever.  Katie was beginning to get really worried and scared.  She had no idea who wrote this letter or how they knew all these things, but she had a feeling that she had to do what they said.
    Katie talked to Billy’s parents and they agreed to let her live on the ranch.  It was about forty-five minutes from her father.  She decided that she wouldn’t tell him where she was going until she found out why he was acting so strange.  Katie began packing all her belongings and told her father she was leaving but didn’t say to where.  She told him that, if anything came up, to call her on her cell phone.  That would be the only way he could contact her.  Then she thought about Brian.  How would he know? How would he contact her?  Just then the phone rang.
    It was Brian.  He told Katie that he hadn’t had any luck finding out more information but that he contacted someone who might help.  She told him she was leaving and to contact her on her cell phone from now on.  She decided not to tell Brian where she was going either.  So, bright and early the next morning Katie left for the ranch.
    She arrived and had most of her stuff unpacked by lunch.  She took a break to eat then went right back to work.  The beautiful house was beginning to look like a home.  About dusk she decided to take a walk and explore the area.
    Katie had forgotten what a beautiful place the ranch was.  The main house was two stories.  It was an old log home.  The outside had cherry stain and also a huge wrap around deck.  The house was not more than 10 years old.  She remembered when Mr. Jones had a new one built.  She had always loved log houses and was now living in one of the biggest, most beautiful in the south.
    At one time this had been a live working ranch.  She remembered going there a few times with Billy.  His grandfather ran the place until he grew too ill to do so.  Billy loved the ranch and even worked on it.  That’s why his grandfather gave it to him.  He knew Billy would take care of it and get it up and running again.  This ranch had a very good reputation.  Many award-winning horses came from there.  There were some champion barrel racers, equestrian champions and even a few Derby winners.  Katie decided that she would somehow get it running again.  After all, it was Billy’s dream. 
    She decided that she must first get the best horse trainers in the business.  Katie figured she had enough money in her stocks and bonds to get off the ground, so she began her search.  It didn’t take her long to find Mark Dean.  He was one of the top guys in the horse business.  Mark told her that he had worked for Billy’s grandfather.  He agreed to work for her and help hire the rest of the trainers and ranch hands.
    In two weeks Katie had hired 25 people to work on the ranch.  Among them were trainers, horse breakers, riders, ranch hands, a stable staff, and a cooking and cleaning staff.  She now had everything she needed and decided to make Mark the Ranch Boss.  He would oversee all the trainers, breakers, riders, hands, and stable staff.  Katie would run the business and also give riding lessons.
    A month after Katie had moved to the ranch, everything was going great.  The ranch was coming along and making more money than Katie could ever dream.  People obviously remembered the name Circle J Ranch and the reputation that went with it.  Katie had almost forgotten about the mystery with Billy until Brian called.
“Katie, how are things?”
“Great Brian.  How’s the investigation business?”
“Well, not sure.  I found out something strange this morning.”
“Really?  What?”
“Well, a friend of mine on base got the report on the mission we were on when Billy died.  The report says that the mission was a success.  It reads, ‘The recovery team successfully recovered the POW’s and injured.  All eight team members returned to base and were debriefed.  Some members were released and others were given new orders.’  Think anything sounds strange Katie?”
“Not really.”
“Katie, it says all eight members returned home but all didn’t.  Billy died.  It doesn’t say anything about that.”
“Are you sure that’s what it says?”
“Katie, I am holding it in my hand.”
“Brian, I want to see that report.  I am living at the ranch now.  Can you come out there?”
“Well, maybe.  Tell you what, set me a spot at the dinner table, and I’ll be there.”
“Okay, hope you don’t mind eating with all my workers.”
“Not at all, just as long as we can talk privately afterwards.”
“You got it.  See you around seven. Bye Brian.”


 Chapter 10

    Brian arrived about five minutes ‘til seven.  Katie’s maid, Ms. Sue, answered the door.
“I’m Brian Walker.”
“Yes, Mr. Walker.  Everyone is chatting in the den.  Please have a seat.”
“Thank you.”  Brian walked in and saw Katie sitting in a chair by the fireplace.
She was smiling and laughing while chatting with the workers.  Katie looked up and saw him.  She immediately stood up and introduced him.  Everyone welcomed him then resumed their conversation.  Katie walked toward Brian and hugged him.  She was surprised by his dress.  He was dressed causal but nice and even dressed to fit the ranch atmosphere.  Brian wore black jeans that fit him nicely, cowboy boots, a white long sleeved shirt, and a black suede vest.
    Just as they began talking, Ms. Sue called everyone for dinner.  Katie could see that Brian was somewhat uncomfortable with all the guys.  She slowly got him in the conversation and before long, he was cutting up and acting just like them.  They sat around the table almost two hours before Mark finally stood up.
“Okay, boys, we’ve got work to do.  Let’s go.”
With that the room instantly cleared.  Katie ushered Brian out to the huge front porch where it was cooler.
“You don’t mind meeting out here do you?  I like sitting out here at night.”
“No, not at all.  It’s nice.  Here’s the mission report you wanted.”
    Katie took the report and read over it several times.  It read just how Brian had said.
“Okay Brian, you said Billy was murdered.  What’s this all about?”
“Katie, this is long and difficult but you deserve to know.  I am sure you heard the story of the mission and how Billy covered us as we headed for the chopper, which is true.  As he returned to the chopper, the enemy fire slowly stopped, but just as he turned to get in, he was shot.  This is all true but you were never told where that shot came from.  I was the only one who saw because everyone else was helping with the wounded.  As Billy jumped in, the officer in charge of our mission, Major Miller, pulled out his boot pistol and shot Billy in the chest.  Major Miller then yelled that Billy had been shot.  He saw me looking at him and knows I saw it.  When we returned to base, I reported it.  A few days later I was relieved of my duties.”
“He was shot by his commanding officer?  I don’t believe this. Why?”
“Katie, I don’t know but things got stranger.  I was looking at Billy while he was lying there and he didn’t seem in very much pain for just having been shot in the chest. 
Sgt. Clark, the medic, yelled to Major Miller, ‘Give him his shot.’  Major Miller reached in his pack, pulled out a shot, and gave it to Billy.  Five minutes later they said he was dead.  Now the strange part is, why was the major carrying a shot?”
“Brian, this is all so confusing.  For some reason, the Army wanted Billy dead but why and what did his dying have to do with this ranch?”
“What do you mean by that Katie?”
“Well, you said his last words were, ‘Tell Katie the key is in the deed.’  So what did that have to do with his death?  The Army has no use for a 200-year-old ranch.”
“Well, what about the money?  It is worth $2.5 million.”
“No, I don’t think that is it.  I have been thinking about this.  There has to be something on this ranch that will tell us why Billy was killed.  Only problem is what is it and where is it?  Anyway Brian, its getting pretty late and us ranchers have to get up at sunrise, so I guess we can talk later.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Okay, well feel free to call or stop by anytime.  Goodnight.”
“Goodnight Katie.  I’ll let you know the second I find anything else.”
    Katie didn’t sleep very well that night.  She kept trying to think of what on the ranch could be the clue to Billy’s death and where it might be.  She finally drifted off to sleep about 1:30 AM.
    She awoke to the rooster crow, just as she did every morning.  She got dressed and went down to breakfast.  Mark greeted her warmly, same as every morning.  Conversation was light.  Finally, Mark asked her what she was going to do today.
“Well, I am giving riding lessons from 8 until 11 and then I guess after lunch, I’ll go look for a needle in a hay stack.”
Mark asked her what she meant by that and Katie briefly explained the conversation with Brian the night before.  Katie had shared the entire story with Mark earlier, so he understood.
“If you need some help finding the needle, let me know.”
Katie thanked him and went outside.

Chapters 7 & 8

Chapter 7

Katie searched through several boxes and found no clue about anything.  She was getting to the point of giving up but something told her not to do so.  She knew that for Billy’s sake, she had to find out the truth.  She decided that she was getting tired and needed to call it a day, so she returned home.
    The next day she talked to her dad about everything. 
He told her, “Princess, don’t get involved in it.  Let the Army do their thing.”
“Daddy, they aren’t doing anything.  I have to do this.”
“Honey,” he continued, “you don’t know who these people are.  Just don’t get involved and you won’t get hurt.”
“Sorry Daddy, I have to.”  With that she left. 
Katie really hadn’t talked to her father about all of this.  That was the first time she actually knew how he felt about it.
    Katie tried to think of everything she could about what Billy might have been talking about.  She couldn’t think of anything.  She then remembered seeing Billy’s address book in one of the boxes at Billy’s parents.  Maybe, just maybe, she thought, it would contain a clue.
    She went back to their home and looked through the boxes until she found the book.  She looked through it for anything that might help.  All she saw were names and addresses of his friends and a few important dates.  As she was closing it however, she noticed on the last page there was something written that seemed out of place.  She looked again and it read: Deed – WPDLBJ. 
    She knew that was a clue about the deed, but what did it mean?  What did the letters WPDLBJ mean, and what did it have to do with the deed?  She tore the page out and put it in her pocket, looked for any other clues, and then left.
    Later she asked Billy’s parents if they knew what those letters meant but they didn’t know.  She sat for hours running ideas through her head about what they meant.  She finally decided that the BJ was for Billy Jones but couldn’t come up with the rest.  She knew this had to be a clue that would help her and she had to find out what the clue meant.
    Several days later, Billy’s parents called and told Katie they were going to go through all of Billy’s things to figure out what to do with it all and they wanted her to help.  She went over to help to hopefully find more clues.  They put all his Army awards and memorabilia in a big trunk to hopefully protect them.  His father took Billy’s diploma from West Point off the wall and handed it to Mrs. Jones.  “Here honey.  Put his WPD in there also.”
“Excuse me,” Katie spoke up.  “What did you say?”
“His WPD,” Mr. Jones repeated.
“That was part of the code I found for the deed: WPDLBJ.  Can I see that?” Katie asked.
Mr. Jones handed it to her.
“Hmmm. WPDLBJ.  West Point Diploma Lt. Billy Jones.  That has to be it, but what did his diploma have to do with that deed?”  Katie wondered.
Katie handed the diploma back to Mr. Jones.  As he handed it to his wife, it slipped and fell to the floor.  The glass shattered.  As he picked it up to clean his mess, a paper fell out from behind the diploma.  “What is this?” he asked as he picked it up.  Reading it in disbelief, “Katie it’s the deed, it’s the deed.” He handed it to her.
    “It really is,” she cried excitedly.  “That code WPDLBJ, was where he hid the deed, in his diploma.  I don’t believe it.  Do you mind if I keep this until I get things figured out?”
    Mr. and Mrs. Jones looked at each other and smiled.  Mr. Jones put his arm around Katie and spoke.  “Katie, as far as we are concerned, that land is yours.  You and Billy were gonna live there after he got out of the service, so it is yours.”
    Shocked Katie said, “I can’t take this.  It says here it is worth 2.5 million dollars and it’s a family heirloom.”
“No, please Katie, it’s the least we can do.  Billy would have wanted it that way.  Besides we have no other family to give it to and know you will take good care of it.  Think of it as our gift to you.”
    Crying, Katie hugged both and thanked them.  She then gathered her things and returned home to do her daily review.

 Chapter 8

    She was in her office when Brian called.
“Hello?”
“Hello Katie this is Brian.  I think things are beginning to die down.  We might be able to meet soon.”
“Good Brian.  Hey, I found the deed.”
“Really? That’s great.  So what’s it worth?”
“2.5 Million”
“Wow, I had no idea it was that much.  Anyway, give me a few more days and I’ll give you a buzz with more details.”
“Okay Brian, Bye”
    Just then her dad came home.
“Hey Daddy, I need to talk to you.”
“Sorry Princess, this isn’t a good time. I am in a hurry.”
“Where you going?”
“I am going to Fort Campbell.”
“Why are you going there?  Does it have something to do with Billy?”
“Billy?  Um, no.  What makes you thank that? Let’s just say it’s on business for a client.”
“Daddy, I didn’t know you dealt in military law.”
“I don’t baby.  My client isn’t in the Army.  I’ll be back in a few days.  Goodbye.”  With that he slammed the door.  In all the years Katie’s dad had been a lawyer, she had never seen him react like that.
    A few moments passed and there was a knock at the door.  Katie answered it and saw two men in full Army uniform. 
“Excuse me ma’am.  I am Major White, this is Captain Adams.  Are you Katie Warren?”
“Yes, I am.  How can I help you?”
“Well, you can start by telling us where Brian Walker is.”
“Please, officers, come in.  I don’t know where Brian is.”
“You have been communicating with him, correct?”
“Yes, but he always contacted me.  I have no idea where he is.”
“Ma’am, you need to realize that Lt. Walker is a suspect in a very classified case.”
“Well, I was not aware of that.”
“We have reason to believe that he has given you classified information.”
“Officers, I assure you that Brian has done no such thing.  He and my fiancé were good friends.  He was just giving me sympathy and my fiancés dying words.  Now I am entitled to that, am I not?”
“Yes, of course, but I wouldn’t exactly call them friends.”
“What do you mean?  They graduated the academy together.  They were best friends.”
“Ma’am, I am telling you that for the past year and a half, Lt. Jones and Lt. Walker hated each other and were at each others throats daily.”
“That is strange, Brian told me they were friends.  You say he is a suspect.  What for?”
“Ma’am, as I have said, that is classified.  Look, we have to get going but here is my card.  If, and when, Lt. Walker contacts you again, I want details.  Good day.”
    Katie couldn’t believe her ears.  Something big was going down, and she was right in the middle of it.
Did Brian lie about everything?  Is he covering something up? Did he murder Billy?
She asked herself all these very questions before, but she wasn’t sure she wanted the answers.
    It was over a week before Brian contacted her again and before her father returned.  Katie’s father had just pulled into the driveway when the phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Katie it’s Brian, please tell me you didn’t tell them anything.”
“Tell who, Brian.”
“The guys that came by your house last week.  Please tell me you didn’t!”
“No, Brian.  I didn’t tell them anything, but how did you know?”
“That doesn’t matter.  Look, sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner but I had some business to take care of.  A lawyer friend of mine told me not to contact you anymore but I just had to.”
“Brian, please tell me what is going on.  I want to know about Billy.”
“I know you do and I will try to help you, but I must warn you, this will get long and difficult.  The Army is trying to keep a lid on this, and it just isn’t because of the murder.  Something else is going on.”
“What do you mean, Brian?”
“Well, there are some pieces missing about Billy’s case they don’t want anyone to find.  They are covering up something.  I don’t know what, but they are.”
“Can we meet?”
“I still don’t think it is safe yet, at least not until I get some more information on this new cover-up.  I gotta go now."
“Okay Brian.  Be careful.”
    Just as she hung up her father came in. 
“Who were you talking to Princess?”
“Brian. How was your trip Daddy?”
“Brian? He’s still calling you?”
“Yes Daddy.  He is trying to help me figure out this mystery behind Billy’s death.”
“Mystery?  There is no mystery.  He was killed.  Take your $2.5 million ranch and get over it.  I am gonna get something to eat.  Want something?”
“No thanks.  I have work to do.”
    Katie again picked up the deed and looked over it.  There had to be something she was missing.  She read the line that said net value: $2.5 million.  Then she got a strange feeling.  She didn’t remember telling her father about the ranch much less how much it was worth.  How did he know?
“Daddy?” she yelled to the kitchen.
“Yes, Princess?”
“How did you know about the ranch?”
“Oh, I was in your office one day and saw it laying on your desk.”
    Only one problem, Katie never left her papers lying on her desk.  Every time she left, if only for a few minutes, she locked them in the drawer.  She was going to take no chances with this.  So how did he know?  Someone must have told him and the only people who knew were Billy’s parents, whom he hardly talked to, and Brian, whom he didn’t even know.  Why would he make such a cruel comment as ‘get over it’?  He knew how hard it was on Katie.  Something was fishy about the way he was acting and Katie knew it.  Katie wasn’t going to contact Major White until she figured this all out.

Chapters 5 & 6

Chapter 5
Katie was sitting at home about 11 P.M. when the phone rang.  She answered and a very quite but panicky voice answered her back. 
"Katie, this is Brian.  Look, I am sorry about the other night but something happened.  Someone must have seen me talking to you because they kicked me out.  We really need to talk in private.  I think they are still following me so I'll let you know when it is safe.  I can't talk now." 
"Brian, wait give me something.  Was there anyone else there who might talk to me?"  "Well, I don't know.  I doubt it." 
"Brian, please give me names of others." 
"Katie, I can't talk now.  I'll contact you later."  Brian hurriedly hung up the phone.
Katie began to get scared for Brian.  Something really big was happening.  She couldn’t put everything together.  Then she remembered seeing the mission assignment papers in the box of documents.  She decided to get them the next morning.
She went to Billy's parents house, and found the papers, and returned home to review them so they wouldn’t ask what was going on.  On the document were the names of the three other men on the rescue team besides Billy and Brian.  Katie called the base and asked to speak to one of them, Sgt. Timothy Clark.  She was transfered to the office where he worked.
"Hello, Sgt. Clark here." 
"Sgt Clark, My name is Katie Warren.  I was Lt. Billy Jones' soon to be wife before his death." 
"Yes, Miss Warren, I remember him talking about you." 
"Well, Sgt. Clark, I have a few questions for you if you don't mind." 
"No, please go right ahead.  I'll be happy to help."
"Sgt. Clark, I understand you were on the chopper when Billy died." 
"Yes ma'am.  I am a medic and was tending to the wounded soldiers Billy and his team rescued." 
"Well Sgt., can you tell me what happened?" 
"Well, there was lots of fire.  As I said I was tending to the wounded soldiers.  I heard someone yell 'Come on Billy.'  There was gunfire all around.  I had my back turned from where Billy was, as I was tending to my patients.  Then someone yelled, 'Billy's hit! Billy's hit!’  As I turned around to see, they were pulling him into the chopper as we lifted off.  I did my best to help, but he was just too bad."
"Did he say anything before he died?" 
"Well, if I remember correctly he looked at Lt. Walker and said something about him and being a brother to him and this was what it had come to.  Then he called Lt. Walker by name and told him to tell Katie about some key and deed or something like that.  I really don't remember it that well."
 "That's OK Sgt. Clark.  Thank you for your time." 
"You’re welcome and if I remember anything else, I'll let you know." 
"That would be great.  Thanks again and goodbye."   
Katie called to speak to other members of the team but they were all unavailable.  She began to realize something strange was going on.  She decided to keep notes and records of everything just in case.  One can never be too careful she thought.
It was several days before Brian called her back.  Katie asked if they could get together to talk, but Brian told her it still wasn't safe.  For now they could only talk on the phone, and they had to do that carefully.
"Katie, what I have to tell you might be hard to hear but I feel you need to know.  Katie, Billy was murdered."
 "What?  By who and why?" 
"Katie, I am not sure why and as for who, I really couldn't tell you that.  See, the case is being investigated and I really can't release details.  I mean it would jeopardize the case and I can't do that for Billy's sake.  Even the Army doesn't know for sure yet.  I hope you understand."
 "Yes Brian I do.  Can I ask you a question?" 
"Sure I am all ears." 
"Well I talked to Sgt Clark today and..." 
"What?!  You talked to Sgt Clark?  I hope you didn't mention our conversations."
 "No, I didn't say anything.  Anyway he said that Billy said something to you about telling me about a key and deed before he died.  What was it?"
" Oh yeah, I forgot about that.  He said to tell you that the key was in the deed." 
"Brian, what is that suppose to mean?  What key?  What deed?" 
"I am not sure.  The only deed I know of is the one that his grandfather gave him for his ranch on the day he graduated from West Point." 
"Yes, he told me about that.  Did he tell you where it was?" 
"Well, I asked him what he planned to do with it, and he said hide it until he needed it.  I asked him what if something happened to him and no one knew where it was.  He said all they would have to do is remember when it was given to him." 
"Hmmm, that doesn't help.  Well, thanks Brian, but I have to go now.  Goodbye." 
"Bye Katie.  I'll talk to you later."
Katie knew very little about the deed.  She and Billy had been to the ranch several times before his grandfather died.  Since that day, it was just too hard for him to go back.  They were very close and his death was very hard on Billy.  Katie knew that Billy owned the ranch but wondered if he would ever return to the beautiful place.  She thought that now he would never be able to do so.






  Chapter 6
    Katie decided that it was time she told Billy’s parents what she had discovered in hopes that they might be able to help her.  They, of course, were shocked as the news but agree to help wherever they could.
    Katie asked them about the deed Billy’s grandfather gave him.  They told her that the deed was to a ranch that his granddad owned, and that it had been passed down for generations.  The true value of it was somewhere in the millions but they didn’t know for sure just how much it was worth.  They told Katie that Billy knew its value because it was written on the deed.
    “Billy said before he died that the key was in the deed.  Does that mean anything to you?” Katie asked as she sat down. 
Mr. Jones answered her with a quizzical look on his face.  “No. Kinda strange statement but it means nothing.” 
“Do you know where the deed is?”
“No.  We figured that he put it in his safe deposit box, but we haven’t opened it yet.  We will do that tomorrow and let you know.”
“Okay, thanks.  I better get going now.”
    Katie returned home to review all that happened and her notes and records to see if maybe she had missed something.  As she sat in her home office, the phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Miss Warren, this is Sergeant Clark.  Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure, Sergeant Clark and please call me Katie.”
“Well, Katie, I remembered something more about the day Billy was shot.  I told you before that we were fired upon, even as we lifted off, but I remember now that we were not.  You see, as Billy was firing and backing up to the chopper, one by one the enemy fire stopped.  I guess he was getting out of range or something.  Anyway, by the time Billy was a few feet away, the enemy fire had completely stopped.  Billy was still firing a few rounds for protection.  Then just before he reached the chopper, there was one final shot, and I suppose that’s what hit Billy.  I don’t know where it came from but it was a very close shot, range wise.  That’s about all I remember.”
“Thank you Sergeant Clark.  You have been a great help.  Please let me know if you remember anything else.”
“I will Katie and if you need me for anything please ask.”
Katie hung up and realized that the pieces were coming together.  Now if she could only get Brian to tell his story, maybe she could figure everything out.  The only thing left to do was find the deed and talk to Brian.
The next day Katie received a call from Billy’s parents.  They told her the deed wasn’t in the safe deposit box.  She asked if Billy had any other places he might have hidden it.  They told her they knew of none but she was more than welcome to come over to the house and look in Billy’s room.  She said that might help, so she did.
When she arrived, there wasn’t much in the room due to most of it being already packed in boxes for when they got married.  She decided to try to sort through the boxes.  In the back of her mind, Katie knew that she may never find out what was going on, but knew she had to keep trying.  Little did she know that soon, she too would be thrown in the middle of it all.

Chapter 4

Katie sat up until midnight but Brian never appeared.  She didn't know why and had no way of contacting him.  She finally told her dad about what Brian told her.  Her father told her not to get all worried, that it was probably just some prank or something but Katie just didn't believe that.

Katie decided that she would ask Billy's parents if she could go to the base and pick up Billy's personal belongings, in hopes of seeing Brian.  They agreed to let her go since they both had so much to do.  Katie wondered if Brian had told them about Billy but didn't ask just in case he hadn't.

It was a long drive to the base and all Katie could think about was her conversation with Brian.  She kept hearing his words over and over, "Billy's death wasn't an accident."  She had this strange feeling that Brian was right.  Many thoughts ran through her mind about what might have happened, none she really wanted to think about.

When she finally arrived at the base, Katie went straight to the office where Billy's belongings were to be collected.  She kept her eyes open for Brian but saw no sign of him.  She asked the Sergeant at the desk when she signed for Billy's belongings if he knew a Lt. Brian Walker and where she could find him.  He told her he didn't but to go to the personnel office, they would know.

Katie went to the personnel office and asked about Brian.  The secretary said she wasn't allowed to give out that kind of information without proper authority.  Katie told her about Billy's death and that he and Brian were best friends and she just wanted to see him and maybe find out if Billy told him anything before he died. 

The secretary told Katie that she was risking her job, but she would help her.  She typed his name in the computer.  " Well, ma'am, it says here that Lt. Walker was relived of his duties this morning." 

"What?  Well, did he leave an address or phone number?"

 "Yes, he did.  I'll write it down for you." 

Katie thanked her and left to return home.

 On her way home she decided to go to the address Brian had left.  She had been in the neighborhood before and knew approximately where his house was.  After driving around, she found the house.  As she pulled into the driveway, she noticed that there was no sign of anyone living there.  She knocked several times but got no answer.  She peeked into a window but there was nothing to see.  The house was totally empty.  Whoever lived there had moved. 

As Katie left, she realized there was no way to contact Brian.  She had no idea where to even begin to get information.  Now she would never find out what really happened to Billy.

When she finally got back home, she decided to go through Billy's belongings and see if there was anything she might want to ask Billy's parents if she could keep.  She mostly found pictures of her and Billy and also several pictures of Billy and his Army buddies.  On the bottom of the pile was a picture of Billy and someone whose face had been cut out.  She looked on the back for a name but there wasn't one.  She really thought nothing of it and continued sorting. 

There was a metal box with several documents and papers in it.  Katie looked through them.  It was mostly old letters Katie had written Billy and some Army documents.  One document, which was titled, "Army Disciplinary Report" caught her eye.  As she read it she realized that it wasn't a report on Billy but rather a report by Billy about Brian.

From what she gathered in reading it, Billy had apparently caught Brian in "acts unbecoming of an officer."  Billy gave details on how Brian had acted concerning actions toward a female under his command.  Katie thought it strange that Billy never turned in the report after such detail and work.  He didn't even sign or date it.  She knew Billy had written it by the handwriting.  Apparently, she thought Billy didn't think it was harsh enough to turn Brian in and had probably had a talk with him.

After going through all the personal belongings, Katie took them to Billy's parents.  They let her keep what she wanted.  She asked them if Billy ever said much about Brian. 

They told her that he and Brian were best friends and Billy brought him home a few times. 
"He seemed like a nice young man," Billy's mother said.