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think he fired the shot?”
    “Just locate him, Frank. Make sure he’s where he said he would be. Might be wise to question him again concerning Germany and his relationship with Natalie Frazier.”
    “Was there a relationship?”
    “Not on her part.”
    “You’re saying Mason was interested?”
    Everett hesitated, choosing his words. “I’m saying find out his take on the situation. I’ve got a call in to a friend who works in the Vilseck CID office. Let’s find out as much as we can and then compare notes.”
    “Roger that.”
    “Do me a favor and alert the local sheriff’s office about the shooting. Could have been some hunter whose aim was off, but I doubt it. Just notify the local authorities and see if they come across anything.”
    “Will do.”
    “What about Denise Lang’s murder? Have the Freemont police provided any new information?”
    “Not yet. They’re supposed to call me if anything breaks. Last I heard they were trying to track down the boyfriend.”
    “You told them the two deaths could be related.”
    “I did. What about Natalie Frazier? Anything new I should know?”
    Again, Everett glanced at her in the rear. She was smiling at Sofia, which made his chest tighten. “Nothing new. Just keep your eye on Mason. He needs to remain on post. I don’t want him or anyone else following us to Atlanta, is that understood?”
    “Mason scheduled a meeting with the chaplain today to plan his wife’s funeral. I doubt he’ll be leaving post.”
    “Is the autopsy report back?”
    “Not yet.”
    “And the video footage from the track?”
    “Evidently the cameras haven’t worked for weeks.”
    “So we can’t establish Mason was running in the training area.”
    “He says another guy saw him. He was wearing a Second of the Fifth Infantry T-shirt. We’re checking the unit to see if anyone comes forward to verify Mason’s alibi.”
    “Sounds like a needle in a haystack.”
    “Maybe, but we might get lucky.”
    “What about the MPs who went door-to-door in the Yateses’ housing area? Did they learn anything from the neighbors?”
    “No one saw anything, except that lieutenant who talked to you last night. He lives across the street.”
    “Lieutenant Bobby Slade?”
    “That’s him. He noticed a strange car parked behind the Yateses’ quarters in the afternoon just as you mentioned, but he can’t provide details. Of course, he wants answers for everything else like four hours ago. Although I don’t blame the guy. He’s worried about his wife being in danger. Evidently he’s going TDY in the next few days to Fort Drum and doesn’t like leaving her alone with a killer on the loose.”
    “Let’s hope we can wrap this investigation up by then.”
    “Exactly. The chief returns next week. I’d like everything to have calmed down by the time he comes back to post.”
    “We’ll make it happen, Frank.”
    Everett disconnected and returned his phone to the console. The first forty-eight hours in an investigation were the most crucial. Right now, the CID and Freemont police both seemed to be striking out.
    If only something would break soon.
    * * *
    Natalie didn’t share Everett’s optimism about the case. From the one-sided conversation she had overheard, he hoped to have everything wrapped up in a short time. Who was he trying to fool? If Mason were allowed to go free, his wife’s death would never be solved.
    Supposedly the Freemont police were looking into Denise’s murder, but the last Natalie had heard was that they thought she was involved. If only they could find the elusive boyfriend.
    Again, she tried to piece the parts together to end up with some logical explanation about what had happened. Everything pointed to Mason, yet he remained at large.
    She looked over her shoulder as Everett made two quick turns. “Where are we going?” she asked, suddenly concerned about the back roads she didn’t recognize.
    “Eventually to the highway. I’m taking a circuitous route to