Person of Interest

She pushed open the screen door. “Come in.”

The house was tidy and nicely furnished with a leather couch and two chairs covered in a flowered pattern.

A number of side tables held pretty knickknacks and photos of a baby. “Your child?”

She shook her head. “Sofia’s the daughter of Lieutenant Terrance Jones and his wife, Wanda. She’s also a lieutenant.”

“You’re visiting the Joneses?”

“I’m the nanny, at least for the next two weeks. Wanda’s TDY at Fort Hood.”

“What about her husband?”

“He’s deployed to Afghanistan.” She pointed him toward the living area. “Shall we sit down? I have a feeling this might take time.”

“Hopefully not too long.” He lowered himself onto the couch. The leather was cool to his touch. He drew a tablet and pen from the pocket of his jacket. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take a few notes.”

“Of course.”

“Let’s start with your name.”

“Natalie Frazier. I’m prior military, served for six years and now live in Freemont.”

“Marital status?”

“I’m single.”

She seemed willing to provide information. A good sign. “You said you were caring for the Joneses’ daughter.”

“That’s right.”

“You work as a nanny?”

“I started this morning as a favor to Wanda. She’s taking an army training class at Fort Hood that begins in a few days and didn’t have anyone to care for her child. I’m finishing the last course for my teaching degree and hope to find a job in the local schools. The nanny position came at the right time.”

He noticed the textbook on the coffee table. “How did you meet Lieutenant Jones?”

“We knew each other in Germany. That was my last duty station. Wanda and I were both taking night classes for our degrees. I transferred back to Fort Rickman, liked the area and decided not to reenlist.”

“And home is?”

She stared at him as if she didn’t understand. “Freemont is currently my home. I live at 2010 Pinegate Circle. You probably want my phone number.”

He nodded, made note of the cell number she provided and then rephrased his earlier question.

“Where was home before the military?

“Where did I grow up?” She hesitated. “I was raised in Detroit.”

The inner city had crumbled over the past decade into a no-man’s land. The suburbs still held on to hope of regeneration, but the downtown looked worse than some of the bombed-out areas in Afghanistan.

As if reading his mind, her voice took on a defensive edge. “I joined the army to make a life for myself, Special Agent Kohl, and I hardly see how where I grew up has bearing on what happened tonight.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He looked down at his notebook. “Let’s go back to this evening. Could you tell me what you heard?”

“Pounding against the wall. A woman screamed twice, followed by a thumping sound.” She crossed her arms and hugged herself as if to find comfort. “It sounded like someone was falling down the stairs.”

“There was a storm,” he prompted. “Lightning, thunder, heavy rain. Could you have mistaken the rumble of thunder for sounds you thought came from the adjoining quarters?”

She bristled. “I know what thunder sounds like.”

“Of course you do.”

Her shoulders sagged and her assuredness ebbed. “I was studying for an exam and had evidently fallen asleep.”

“Here in the living room?”

“That’s right. Something woke me. Maybe the storm. Maybe something else. Like raised voices or a crash against the wall.”

Natalie continued to chronicle what had provoked her call. “I heard voices that escalated into a heated argument, although I couldn’t make out what was being said.”

“Could you determine if the voices were male or female?”

“Not really, although one of them sounded far more aggressive and seemingly male.”

“Seemingly?”

“It was deeper, raised and more insistent. The argument kept escalating. When something crashed against the wall, I immediately thought of domestic abuse.”

“How many times did something crash against the wall?”

“Two times, maybe three.”

He pursed his lips. “You’re not sure?”

“Two hits. Both followed by a scream. I knew something bad was happening.”

“Did you pound on the wall or call out to see if anyone needed help?”

“Not at that point.” She raised her brow as if worried she hadn’t reacted appropriately. “Do you think I should have?”

“Ma’am, I can’t tell you what you should have done.”

She sighed. “I doubt they would have heard me.”

“Then what happened?”

“A series of thumps sounded down the stairs. I knew someone had fallen or had been pushed.”

“Is that when you called the police?”

“First I went outside and banged on their door.”

“Did anyone respond to your knock?”

“Regrettably, no.” She let out a breath. “Common sense took over when I realized how vulnerable I was, especially since I had Sofia and her safety to think about. And I needed to get back here as soon as possible.”

“Did you feel threatened at any time?”

“Not personally, just upset that something tragic had happened.”

“What did you think had happened, ma’am?”

“That the woman had been pushed down the stairs, which seems to be what did happen.”

“That’s one possibility.”

“Surely you don’t think she slipped and fell?”

“Nothing has been ruled out at this point.”

Natalie sat up straighter and squared her slender shoulders. “You work with him, don’t you?”

“Him?”

“Mason Yates. The husband. Isn’t the husband usually the most likely suspect?”

Everett tensed. “There will be an investigation before anyone is charged, if this even was a crime. We’re not sure Special Agent Yates was in the house at the time Mrs. Yates fell.”

“I heard him.”

“You heard a voice—” he glanced at his notes “—a seemingly male voice—through an insulated wall.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I don’t disbelieve you. I’m just getting information. What happened after you knocked on the Yateses’ door?”

“I ran back here and called the military police, and then I waited for someone to arrive, which you did.”

“Did you hear any other noise from the house?”

“No.

“Did you look out the window?”

“I glanced at the street. I had checked the doors to insure they were locked earlier and then relocked the front door when I came back inside.”

“Did you hear a door close anywhere in the area? What about a car engine or a car door slamming?”

“I heard nothing. The storm had passed, and even the rain had stopped by the time you arrived.”

“Did Wanda Jones provide information about her neighbors?”

“Only Mrs. Yates’s first name and phone number. But I recognized Special Agent Yates.”

“How so?”

“I worked for him in Germany for the last six months of my assignment there.”

Everett bit down on his jaw to hold himself in check. He hadn’t expected the connection. Willing his voice to remain calm, he asked, “At CID Headquarters in Vilseck?”

She nodded. “They were short staffed. I worked as a personnel clerk and was brought in to handle paperwork.”

“What was your relationship with Mason Yates in Germany?”

“We didn’t have a relationship. He was a CID agent. I was an E-5 personnel clerk.”

“Did you meet socially?”

“Of course not.”

“Did you work long hours or work together on the weekends?”

She cocked her brow. “I’m not sure where this is headed.”

“I’m just interested in how well you knew Agent Yates.”

“I knew him only as a CID agent, not socially. We hardly talked unless he needed paperwork dealing with personnel.”

“Did you know Mrs. Yates?”

“She came to the office once, as I recall. I was introduced to her.”

“Agent Yates introduced you?’

“I believe so, although I can’t say for sure.”

“You don’t remember?”

“I met a lot of people in Germany. I don’t remember every situation.”

“Did you realize the Yateses lived next door to the Joneses when you accepted the babysitting position?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t even know they had transferred to Fort Rickman.”

“No one notified you from Germany when Special Agent Yates was reassigned?”

“Perhaps you didn’t hear me.” She lifted her chin. “I wasn’t aware the Yateses had left Europe.”

“I understand.” He checked his notes. “You mentioned that you couldn’t determine specifically if the voices were male or female. Is that correct?”

“It is.” She hesitated and raised her brow. “Although one of the voices sounded male. It could have been Mason Yates.”

“Could have been or was?”

“I... I’m not sure.”

Everett closed his notebook. He didn’t know what to think about the nanny. She had called in a domestic violence dispute when she talked to the military police, yet according to Mason’s own account, he had been running on a track in the training area. Somewhat unusual to do PT at night, but physical training was important to the military. If Mason liked to run at night, so be it. The track was lit, and a number of soldiers took advantage of the cool evenings to exercise. Video cameras were posted in the area, which would confirm his alibi.

Everett had checked Mason’s cell phone log and found a call from his wife, just as the distraught husband had claimed when he’d leaped from his car and raced toward his house. The wife’s cell log also confirmed that a call had been made, a call that Mason said had spurred him to hurry home.

The husband seemed to be telling the truth, not that Natalie Frazier wasn’t. More than likely, she had heard bickering. If Mason wasn’t at home, then the more aggressive voice she presumed was male had to have belonged to someone else. Someone who had argued with Mrs. Yates and perhaps caused her death.

“Thank you, Ms. Frazier.” Everett stood to leave. “I’ll be in touch.”

“You know where to find me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He dug in his pocket and handed her his business card. “Be sure to call me if you think of anything else.”

He needed to check on the nanny’s tour of duty in Germany and find out how well she knew both Mason and his wife. Her sudden arrival on post the day of Mrs. Yates’s death seemed questionable, especially since she’d worked with Mason.

The air was heavy with humidity as he walked outside. Overhead, a sliver of moon peered through the clouds. Cicadas and tree frogs croaked in the night.

A man hurried across the street. Tall, slender, early thirties. “Mind telling me what’s going on?” he asked, his face drawn with concern.

Everett flashed his CID identification. “Could I have your name, sir?”

“Lieutenant Bobby Slade.” He pointed over his shoulder to the duplex where Everett had seen the light come on earlier. “I live in 325-B. Something bad must have happened.”

“Did you notice anything unusual this evening?”

The guy raked his hand over his short hair and let out a stiff breath. “Unusual.” He thought for a long moment. “No, not really. I noticed a different car parked in the alleyway behind the Yateses’ quarters earlier. Probably a friend.”

“Can you remember the make and model of car?”

He shook his head. “’Fraid not. I didn’t know it would be important. Did someone get hurt?”

“Mrs. Yates fell.”

“Oh, man, I’m sorry. If there’s anything my wife or I can do...”

“Why don’t you go back inside, sir. Someone from the military police will want to talk to you later about that car.”

“You mean, the fall wasn’t accidental?”

“We’ll contact you, sir.”

The guy nodded and hurried back to his quarters. An inquisitive neighbor who saw a car in the area. Not much, but Everett made note of the information on his tablet. Sometimes the smallest detail could have bearing on a case.

He raised his cell and called Frank, who answered on the second ring.

“Yeah, Rett. What’s up?”

“We’ve got an inquisitive neighbor across the street. Lieutenant Bobby Slade. Quarters 325-B. The guy saw a car parked behind the Yateses’ home today. You might want the MPs to question him when they do their door-to-door.”

“Is that the reason you called?”

“Negative. I talked to the nanny. Interesting development that I don’t want Mason to overhear.”

“Where are you?”

“On the sidewalk outside.”

Frank chuckled. “Not to worry. Mason’s in the latrine, and I’m in the kitchen out of earshot. What’d you find out?”

“Natalie Frazier is prior service. You’ll never guess her last duty station.”

“Vilseck, Germany,” Frank said. “She worked as a personnel specialist in the CID office.”

“Mason told you?”

“That’s right. He said she was a loner, kind of aloof.”

Which is exactly how Everett would describe Mason.

“He’s grieving, having a hard time putting his thoughts together,” Frank continued. “Seeing Ms. Frazier was a complete surprise. Mason didn’t know she was in the area.”

Everett glanced at the sky. Dark clouds rolled past the moon, blocking its light. “Strange coincidence that she’d show up on post the night Tammy Yates dies.”

“You think she’s involved?”

He sighed. At this point, he didn’t know what to think. “Just wondering how this investigation will play out.”

“Do you still plan to go on leave in the morning?”

“I’ll stick around and give you a hand.”

“Appreciate the help.”

“You stood by me,” Everett said, remembering Frank being there when he’d needed a friend. “I’ll always be grateful.”

“Don’t blame yourself.”

“I should have kept the investigation open, Frank.”

“You were following orders.”

“That doesn’t help me sleep at night.”

Everett disconnected and glanced again at Quarters 324-A. Maybe he was being overly cautious, but he would keep his eye on the attractive nanny. Natalie could be an innocent bystander, or she could play an important role in a murder investigation.

THREE

Natalie peered through the window and watched first the ambulance and then one of the two patrol cars pull away from the curb and head out of the housing area. Her head throbbed with tension that had escalated since she’d first awakened on the couch. What would she do if Mason remained behind after the crime-scene team left?

As if in response to her concern, he stepped from his quarters and approached the SUV parked in front of the house. Special Agent Everett Kohl walked next to him and opened the passenger door and shut it with a slam once Mason had climbed inside.

Rounding the front of the vehicle, Special Agent Kohl glanced at the duplex. He hesitated for a long moment, and then as she watched, he walked briskly up the sidewalk and climbed the stairs to the Joneses’ front porch. She opened the door before he knocked.

“Do you have more questions?” Natalie asked.

“I wanted to let you know Special Agent Yates will be staying at the Lodge on post for the next few days. The military police will question the other neighbors either later tonight or in the morning. We’ll follow up on each bit of evidence and information until we get to the truth.”

She appreciated his thoughtfulness. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“You have my card. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you remember anything else.” He paused for a long moment and stared at her through pensive eyes. “You shouldn’t have any problems, but if you feel threatened, just call.”

Natalie reached for his business card that she’d placed on the side table by the door and glanced again at his name and the accompanying phone numbers, unwilling to let him see the confusion she felt. She’d been on her own for so long, taking care of herself, that she didn’t know how to respond. His concern for her well-being touched her, but she couldn’t let down her guard, even if Special Agent Kohl seemed sincere.

Shoving his card into the pocket of her jeans, she willed her expression to remain neutral. “I’ll call if there’s a problem.”

He nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response, and returned to his SUV.

Climbing behind the wheel, he started the engine and then stared again at the doorway where she still stood. Mason glanced up from the passenger seat. She couldn’t make out his expression, but she sensed hostility in his gaze. Unwilling to let either man destroy her fragile composure, she closed the door before the car drove away.

A military post was a tight-knit community. News of Mrs. Yates’s death would quickly spread. Natalie didn’t want Wanda Jones to hear about the tragedy from someone else.

Reaching for her cell, Natalie found the number in her contact information and hit Call. Wanda sounded groggy with sleep when she answered.

“Sofia’s fine,” Natalie immediately assured her, “but I wanted you to know about your neighbor.” She recounted what had happened and tried to calm Wanda, who became upset once she heard the news.

“I’m flying home tomorrow.” The mother’s voice bordered on hysteria.

“What about your class?”

“Nothing’s as important as my child. I’ll explain the situation. The instructors will have to understand that I need to be with my baby.”

“Call me after you have your flight information.”

“I don’t feel good about you staying there tonight, Natalie. If someone killed Tammy, what’s to stop them from striking again?”

“I’ve locked the doors. One of the special agents investigating the case gave me his number in case I need help.”

“That’s all well and good, but I want Sofia out of harm’s way. We’ve got a small fishing cabin a few miles north of Freemont. There’s a crib and some baby supplies so you and Sofia should be fine there. Plus, Terrance keeps a rifle in the coat closet. A box of ammo is on the top shelf.”

“Wanda, you’re scaring me.”

“You need to take precautions. I’ll fly home tomorrow and meet you there. The key to the cabin is in the top drawer of the buffet in the dining area. You’ll also find a map with directions.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. You and Sofia will be safe at the cabin. I’ll call you when I have my flight information.”

Wanda’s insistence that she take the baby off post darkened Natalie’s mood even more. Fleeing Fort Rickman didn’t sound like a wise decision, especially this late at night.

To clear her mind, Natalie climbed the stairs to the baby’s room, finding comfort in the sweet innocence of the small infant. Standing at the side of the crib, she gazed down at the baby’s face and tiny hands. Knowing Sofia was completely oblivious to the turmoil that surrounded them tonight brought a sense of calm to Natalie’s unrest.

The house phone rang, causing the baby to stir. Natalie hurried into the master bedroom and reached for the receiver.

“The Joneses’ residence.”

Silence.

She pushed the phone closer to her ear. “Hello?”

No response.

Natalie disconnected. She didn’t need prank calls, especially tonight.

Again the phone rang. She snatched it from the cradle and raised it to her ear.

“Natalie?” A garbled voice, as if the caller were masking his voice.

Could it be Mason? Repulsion filled her.

And fear.

Her heart raced and her hands trembled as she disconnected.

Straightening her shoulders, she strained to draw air into her lungs. Wanda was right. She and Sofia needed to leave post and hide out until the killer was apprehended.

Natalie hurried into the guest bedroom, grateful she hadn’t unpacked earlier today. Grabbing her suitcase and small tote, she dropped both in the hallway and returned to the baby’s room. Wanda had filled a large diaper bag for when Natalie took the child on an outing. Unsure how many supplies she’d find at the cabin, she stuffed even more diapers into the bag and filled a second tote with onesies, sleepers and prepared bottles of formula. Receiving blankets were the final items she included before making two trips downstairs with the luggage and totes.

Peering out the front window, she noticed the last of the emergency responders preparing to leave. As much as she wanted to contact Everett Kohl, the CID was a tight organization. Natalie didn’t stand a chance of changing anyone’s mind about Mason. If only they’d look closer into his wife’s death instead of giving their colleague a free pass.

After placing the bags in her car, she checked the car seat Wanda had helped her install, then hurriedly returned to the house. With a determine sigh, she climbed the stairs and lifted the sleeping baby into her arms. She’d never had her own child, but her maternal instincts kicked into high gear. No one would hurt this baby.

Returning to her car, she settled Sofia into the carrier and attached the harness before she opened the garage door and backed onto the driveway. Glancing at the neighboring homes, she wondered how soon people would be aware of what had happened tonight. Once the MPs made their rounds, the news would spread up and down the street, causing unrest and concern.

Poor Tammy Yates. She didn’t deserve to die. Neither had the woman in Germany.

Natalie hated running scared. She’d run before, from her father’s abusive drunkenness and from a scandal that meant the end of her time in the military. A scandal that had involved Mason. And now, she was running from a murderer.

She thought of Everett Kohl’s strong shoulders and the concern she’d seen in his gaze, and for half a heartbeat, she wished she could turn to him, but common sense won out.

She couldn’t trust Everett Kohl.

She couldn’t trust anyone.

* * *

Everett watched the garage open at the Joneses’ quarters. A red sedan backed onto the driveway. Natalie hurried from the car and lowered the garage door before she drove out of the housing area.

After dropping Mason at the Lodge on post, Everett had circled back to the duplex and parked farther down the street to keep an eye on the two homes. Not that he had expected Natalie Frazier to flee. He had been more concerned for her safety. If someone had broken into the B side of the duplex and killed one woman, the killer could easily return to kill again.

Everett had to insure he didn’t leave a stone unturned. He’d learned his lesson the hard way. The guilt still hung heavy on his shoulders.

He followed the small compact car at a distance as it left post through the Fort Rickman main gate and headed into nearby Freemont. On the far side of town, it stopped at an apartment complex.

Holding the baby in her arms, Natalie unlocked the bottom apartment door and disappeared for a few seconds before returning to the car. Everett made note of the address as she drove away.

Surprised when his cell rang, he saw Frank’s name on the screen. “I was ready to call you,” he said in greeting. “I’m following Natalie Frazier. She’s got the baby and is driving north through Freemont. It appears she’s headed to the interstate. I want to apprehend her before she hits the highway.”

“Negative,” Frank insisted. “Tail her but don’t apprehend. I just called Lieutenant Jones to notify her of her neighbor’s death. The lieutenant had spoken with the nanny earlier and had encouraged her to take the baby someplace safe.”

“Did the mother mention a destination?”

“She talked about a fishing cabin north of Freemont but refused to provide more information. Stay on Ms. Frazier’s tail. I want to know the exact location of the cabin and where that baby is at all times. Lieutenant Jones plans to return to Fort Rickman tomorrow. Once baby and mom are reunited, I’ll breathe a sigh of relief.”

“What about the nanny?”

“Lieutenant Jones is convinced she’ll take good care of her daughter. That’s my hope, as well, but it seems more than a coincidence, as you mentioned, to have her show up on post the day Tammy Yates dies.”

“Natalie made a quick stop at her apartment in Freemont. Might be worth checking.” Everett provided the address.