Page 14 of CJ

“It wasn’t any trouble. I thought you would need statements,” said Jill.

“Mrs. Robicheaux reached out and gave us your preliminary statements, as well as evidence of your whereabouts over the last few days.”

“Then why am I here?” asked Jill. The MP stared at the enormous men behind her, one who quite obviously was willing to protect her to the death.

“Are all these people necessary?”

“Yes,” said CJ. Georgie smirked at him, shaking her head.

“We’re all family,” said Georgie. “Captain Morgan will be working with our team in a few short weeks, so we’re here to protect our investment and because we love her.”

“Family is a good thing, ma’am,” smiled the MP. “When was the last time you saw Sgt. Weathers?”

“Several weeks ago,” said Jill. “We were dating. I thought we were engaged, and he occasionally stayed at my condo. He came by to pack his things and let me know that he was marrying Alana Yarrow, Adam’s widow.”

“I’m sorry. That must have been painful for you,” said the MP.

“Shocking is more like it. Yes, I was hurt, and it was painful, but I was shocked to learn that he’d been seeing Alana even when Adam was alive. She was pregnant, which is why they were getting married.”

“Pregnant?” asked the MP.

“Yes. He said they were starting a family right away and that she was pregnant.”

“Ma’am, we’ve interviewed Mrs. Weathers. They did get married in a courthouse in Virginia Beach, but she is not pregnant.”

“Maybe she’s just not showing yet,” said Georgie.

“No, ma’am. She’s not with child. One of the other teammates mentioned that Tim told him his wife was pregnant. When we spoke to Mrs. Weathers, she claimed it was all a joke. They only said it so no one would question why they married so quickly.”

“I don’t believe that,” said Jill. “I mean, I don’t care if she was pregnant and they were starting a family. I really didn’t care any longer. But I don’t believe that Tim would have said that if it weren’t true or if he believed it was true.”

“I’m not sure what to say, ma’am. Did you have any knowledge of Sgt. Weathers’ last two missions?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “We tried not to talk about work unless it was done and nothing was risking national security or secrets.”

“You’re better than most,” smirked the MP. “I interview a lot of couples, and they tell one another everything in spite of being told not to do it. Mrs. Weathers seemed to have a lot of knowledge about his past missions.”

“Well, Mrs. Weathers obviously had a better relationship with Tim than I did.” Jill gave him a sour expression, crossing her arms over her breasts.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I meant nothing by it.” Jill shook her head.

“It’s fine. Tim and I weren’t working out. It took him doing something stupid for me to realize it. He ended the relationship, and honestly, I was okay with it. I’ve met the man I plan to marry,” she said, reaching for CJ’s hand on her shoulder. The MP looked up at him, smirking.

“I don’t believe he’s a man that will allow anything to happen to you either, ma’am.” He smirked at CJ, who gave him a nod.

“May I ask what killed Tim? I mean, you said he died at my doorstep, but how did he die?”

“Poison,” said the MP, folding up his tablet. “It’s one of the other reasons we wanted to get to you before you got home. The poison was on your doorknob.”

“Say what?” frowned CJ.

“Yes, sir. It looks like he reached for the doorknob, trying to open it, and immediately fell. Neighbor across the street has a doorbell camera. Here’s the video.” He turned the tablet around and showed the whole thing.

Tim knocked on the door several times, appearing to call out Jill’s name. He then reaches for the doorknob, jiggling it. He reached again, then pulled his hand back, staring at his palm. The skin appeared to be blistered and red. A moment later, he falls to his knees, then on his side.

“Dear God,” she whispered. “What if I had been home?”

“I think that’s something you’re going to need to figure out. Was that poison meant for him or for you?”

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