Page 32 of Unknown

She needed to handle this.

Briskly, she took the ID back from him.

“Thanks,” she said, making sure to sound harassed and officious. “I don’t want to rush you but my meeting’s with Officer Garrett and I’d like to be on time.”

“Garrett?” As she’d hoped, the name of that high rank distracted him and he didn’t push the issue. She pocketed the ID and drove through the gate and onto the base, letting out a deep breath, making sure to walk in a businesslike way, heading straight for the main buildings.

She'd gotten in, but she knew that the hardest part was yet to come. She had to find out what was going on and who was responsible.

And then, as she walked, her stomach clenched, hard.

Ahead of her, striding directly toward her, was the soldier she'd intimidated yesterday at the racetrack bar. The same man whose car she’d used to get on base, and who'd called the troops to search for her. He was limping toward her.

In another moment, he was going to look up and see her, and then, all this would be over.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Cora knew she had to make a plan, and fast. The soldier was approaching. He looked mad as hell and was stomping along at a fast, but uneven and painful looking walk. His eyes were flickering left and right as if seeking out a target for his rage. He had a bruise on his cheek, and a graze on his jaw. For sure, he was going to be triggered if he saw her. He’d remember her instantly.

She couldn't make any movements that might attract his eye. But she could be subtle. She could, right? Just because she wasn't often that way, didn't mean it was impossible. In fact it was Gabe who had reminded her about the value of subtlety. In general, and at certain moments last night in particular.

She took her phone out of her pocket and casually tilted her head toward it, staring down at the screen, hunching her shoulders and inclining it away from him, letting him get a good view of the dark woolen hat he hadn't seen before.

It still might not have been enough.

But luck was on her side. From the right, a voice called out to him.

“Sir, are you headed into town? I need a ride if you’re going that way.”

He swung away from her. “Yeah. I’m going that way. Meet me in five minutes. I’m just going to the quartermaster for boots.”

Cora let out a deep sigh. At least, if he was going to get boots, and then into town, it meant he would be off base for a while. But it was a sharp reminder to her that she needed to be on the lookout for anyone else who might recognize her.

She took the card out of her pocket and put it around her neck. Its visibility would at least legitimize her presence. Now to find out where this had happened.

When tragedies like this occurred on base, they made waves, and the waves made ripples. So she needed to follow the ripples.

She walked on slowly, absorbing the sounds and feels, picking up on the snippets of conversation, and watching out for where others were hurrying.

Those two men? Where were they going?

Cora strode after the two men, staying far enough behind so as not to draw attention to herself, but close enough to listen in on their dialogue. They were dressed in military uniforms, clearly on duty, and were walking with a purpose, their expressions serious and determined.

"Look, they don't know how it happened," one of them said.

"It's enough that it did! This is going to bury us!" the other replied. "What the hell? Three of these four deaths have been in the south barracks. We need to get better guarding there!"

So, now Cora knew the south barracks was where she needed to focus. That was where this had happened, and it was where most of the previous murders had occurred.

She swung away from them, and headed south.

Right now, that area would be in an uproar. And if she could find the right person, she could get valuable information.

Here was the south barracks. She could see immediately this was the more junior accommodations.

The buildings were smaller than others on the base.The facilities were more basic. There seemed to be rows of dormitories, and a canteen at the end. But there had to be somewhere for these occupants to socialize. That was what she was looking for.

In there? A glance confirmed what she sensed from her military experience, that this was the right place. It was a small room adjacent to the canteen, and when she looked inside, she saw a few scuffed but comfortable couches, a couple of cushions and bean bags, and a television. Right now, the television was muted. Groups of recruits were huddled together, talking, and checking their watches. It was clear that training, and the day's routine, was still on schedule.

---