“And you don’t believe that?” asked Sean.
“I guess I do. I mean, I don’t know.”
Sean said, “Okay, so we’re not in Afghanistan, Tyler. We have no realistic way to get to Afghanistan in order to look over the Army’s shoulder on this. No jurisdiction. No resources. Zip.”
Tyler swallowed a mouthful of water and took his time responding. “But you’re private investigators. Don’t you guys have ways of finding stuff out? I mean, that’s sort of the point of what you do, right?”
“Yes, it is,” said Michelle, leaning in closer. She glanced once at Sean and said to Tyler, “First things first. What’s your dad’s name?”
“Samuel, but everybody calls him Sam.”
“What exactly did the Army tell you about your dad?”
“They said he was with his squad in Kandahar. He was out on patrol at night and someone shot him.”
“That someone being the Taliban, al-Qaeda, an Afghan soldier turned traitor?” prompted Sean.
“They said they didn’t know. Whoever shot him got away, they said, but they’re looking for the person.”
Sean nodded slowly. “Unfortunately, that happens on a battlefield, Tyler. I’m sure the Army will do all it can to find out who killed your dad and make sure they’re punished.”
“When do his remains arrive at Dover Air Force Base?” asked Michelle.
Tyler shook his head. “They didn’t talk about that.”
Michelle frowned. “But all the bodies of slain servicemen come through Dover. The Army normally allows the family members to go up there when the remains arrive. And then you can have the burial take place at Arlington National Cemetery. All soldiers killed in combat get that honor.”
Sean stared at her strangely. “How do you know all that?”
“I did some quick research last night.”
Sean scowled and said in a low voice, “Before or after your relaxing bath?”
Tyler was shaking his head. “They didn’t say anything about Dover.”
Sean said, “Well, maybe those details come later. Your mom—”
Tyler glanced sharply at him.
Sean continued, “Sorry, your stepmom said that the Army was sending more people. Maybe they have that information. Have you talked to her about it?”
“No. I leave early for school. She’s always still in bed,” he added reproachfully.
Sean looked at him closely. “I’m surprised you made it to school today, Tyler. Must’ve been tough after last night.”
He shrugged and mumbled something that was too low for either Sean or Michelle to hear.
Sean said, “Well, maybe you should give your stepmom a buzz and find out. Go ahead and do it while we’re here.”
Instead of calling, Tyler thumbed in a text and sent it off.
Sean glanced at Michelle. A tiny smile crept across her face. She mouthed the words, I told you so.
“She’s not going to answer, at least not for a while,” said Tyler.
“She doesn’t keep her phone with her?” asked Michelle.
“Oh, she does. But the text was from me so it’s not a priority.”