Tularosa: A Kevin Kerney Novel (Kevin Kerney Novels) by Michael McGarrity Page A

the mechanical condition of that car before Jaeger rolled it. Arrange for an immediate autopsy when forensics releases the body. Understood?"
    "Yes, ma'am," the sergeant answered.
    "Also get me full background information on Jaeger before you go off duty. Everything you can dig up about him-drug-screening results, rap sheet, his personnel jacket. You know the drill." The sergeant nodded glumly. That meant a good three hours of extra work.
    "Yes, Captain."
    "Carry on," Sara said, turning to Kerney.
    "Are you ready, Lieutenant?"
    "Sure." Sara Brannon said little on the drive back to the base.
    "Mind telling me why you brought me along for the ride?" Kerney finally asked.
    "Two men room together. Within weeks one goes A.W.O.L. and the second dies in an auto accident." She glanced over at Kerney.
    "Are you good at math? What's the statistical probability?"
    "I understand that. What else?"
    "You wanted to meet Bobby Jaeger."
    "Paybacks are a bitch," Kerney commented.
    "Isn't that the truth," Sara replied, with a charming smile. Captain Brannon called again at six in the morning rousing Kerney out of a stupor. She gave him instructions on when and where to meet Sergeant Steiner, Sammy's NCOIC, and granted permission for Kerney to search Sammy's gear stored with the quartermaster.
    Groggy, he shaved in the bathroom mirror, trying not to look too closely at his haggard face. It wasn't a pretty sight. Finished, he strapped on the ankle weight, sat on the end of the bed, and exercised the knee, working the few remaining ligaments that held the leg together until the pain forced him to quit.
    He stretched and soaked the leg before getting dressed. The beefy sergeant in the supply room watched him carefully as he pawed through Sammy's belongings. There were some framed family snapshots, letters from Maria-but none from Terry-civilian clothing, uniforms, and standard-issue military equipment. Sammy had a small desktop stereo system, a fairly eclectic collection of cassette tapes and compact disks, and a small library of paperback novels and art books. There were several unused sketchbooks still wrapped in protective cellophane and an assortment of pens, acrylic paints, and watercolors, but not a single example of Sammy's art work.
    Kerney dumped all the clothing on the floor and went through each piece systematically, turning everything inside out. He took the case off the stereo, the covers off the speakers, and the pictures out of the frames. He shook each book by the binding and inspected each cassette tape. Each time he added something to the pile, the sergeant snorted with displeasure. Satisfied that there was nothing, Kerney thanked the sergeant, who grumbled openly about the mess on the floor and damn civilians. Kerney smiled benignly and left.
    Staff Sergeant Steiner was waiting for Kerney outside the eadquarters building, looking preoccupied. Steiner had a long, angular frame topped off by an owl-like, bookish face. He stiffened as Kerney approached, hands clasped behind his back in an at ease position. Kerney introduced himself.
    "How can I help you. Lieutenant?" Steiner's formal tone indicated he was not a happy volunteer.
    "I understand Specialist Yazzi worked for you."
    "That's correct."
    "What test facility do you work at?" Kerney added.
    "It's an up range site," Steiner replied brusquely.
    "Can you tell me about Sammy's work?"
    "Not specifically."
    "Can you give me a thumbnail sketch without revealing any secrets?"
    "In general terms, I can. We work with a new ordnance designed for armored units. We study the products under laboratory and simulated field conditions. I can't say any more than that."
    "That's good enough," Kerney said.
    "How large is your contingent at the test site?"
    "Thirty-two, including civilians. We operate twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The Gulf War bumped the project to the top of the priority list."
    "I was told that Yazzi wanted to change his schedule so he could take some art courses.