“They weren’t delusions, Scott. Look what happened to him.”
Brodie glanced again at the Latin phrase. Major Ames seemed to have had a flair for the dramatic. And, maybe, an affinity for ancient Rome.
Praetorian.
Whatever Praetorian was, Ames had either created it or discovered it. But whatwasit, and what the hell was he prepping for here?
Brodie looked again at the weapons. How could Ames have amassed this kind of cache? How did he even access the armory? Maybe PFC Greer had helped with this too. And maybe it was another sign of Camp Hayden’s breakdown in morale and discipline that no one had noticed all this stuff go missing.
The doorbell rang.
Taylor began hastily closing the trunks. “Buy me a minute.”
Brodie brushed himself off, then walked back into the house and to the front door. He placed his hand on his SIG Sauer as he checked the peephole. It was Major Klasky.
He let go of his weapon and opened the door. “Hello, Major.”
“I went to your house first. Then I spotted the torn police tape.”
“Good deduction.”
Klasky cleared his throat. “Two things. One, I’ve located thebody-cam footage from March twelfth. There was no exercise on the thirteenth. Two, Colonel Howe has conferred with Major General Ramsay and now wishes to speak with you and Ms. Taylor.”
“What’s first?”
“The colonel is waiting.”
“Maggie’s in the bathroom. She’ll be out shortly.”
Brodie stepped out the front door and shut it behind him.
Klasky looked at the closed door. “The MPs cleaned this place out.”
“That’s right.”
“Did you find something they missed?”
He nodded. “Tuna sandwich in the fridge. Smells off.”
“Do people find you funny?”
“I never bother to ask.” He added, “You know I can’t share the details of our investigation, Major.”
“I know. But I’m curious.”
“I guess you’ll have to stay that way.”
Klasky smiled. It wasn’t exactly a sincere smile, but he was trying. This guy seemed all right. Less tightly wound than the colonel, not a wacko like the general, and certainly less of an insecure dipshit than his subordinate Captain Pickman.
As they waited, Klasky scanned the houses.
Brodie asked, “Which one’s yours?”
The major jerked his thumb behind him. “I’m in the other cluster.”
“With the colonel.”
Klasky looked at him. “That’s right.”
