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His eyebrows rose as if he was surprised that he made such an allegation. “I’m sorry that you feel that I’m being uncooperative. I assure you that your accusations are unfounded.”

She brushed past him and out the door. “In a pig’s eyes.”

“I hope you find your brother, Lieutenant.”

Sienna stopped and A.J. bumped into her. She turned to the man and faced off with him. “If you don’t have any connection to Buckner’s case, how do you know that Lieutenant Camacho is his brother?”

“Must have picked it up when I was being briefed. Have a nice day.”

CHAPTER9

“Captain Levine is expecting you. Go right in,” the soft-spoken civilian receptionist said.

They entered the captain’s office. Captain Levine was large and hearty, with iron-gray hair and a firm jaw.

A.J. came to attention. The captain eyed Sienna first and then him.

“As you were, Lieutenant,” he said to A.J., nodding to Sienna. “Detective Parker.”

He indicated two seats and both of them sat.

“We’re here to ask some questions about Corporal David Buckner.” Her tone was soft but still forceful.

“Buckner’s officially been listed as UL, but I’m inclined to cut the kid some slack. There’s no finer Marine.” He sat back in the chair, bringing with him a letter opener shaped like a sword. He drew the blade through his fingers.

“A truck from your base was discovered in downtown San Diego. I have a statement from a witness that said that Buckner was selling guns out of the back of that truck,” Sienna said, her eyes following the way he was petting the blade.

“You think he’s involved in illegal actions? Don’t buy it.” His eyes shifted toward Sienna, and A.J. thought for a moment that the man looked nervous.

“You’re in charge of security. Did you have reports that a truck is missing?” she asked, sitting forward in her chair.

“No, no one has reported that. Maybe you could call my receptionist with the information, and I’ll track it here.” His eyes shifted away from her and focused once again on the sword in his hands. “You could talk with his partner.” The captain’s eyes twisted to A.J. “What is your part in this investigation, Lieutenant?”

“I’ve been assigned as Navy liaison.”

The captain’s eyebrows rose.

“We’d like to talk to Buckner’s partner,” Sienna said, rising.

A.J. had been in the military long enough and been through enough covert operations that he was well aware when someone was being tightlipped about classified information. Captain Levine had that look.

“My receptionist can lead you to Sergeant Gibson,” he said, nodding to them.

The dispatcher at the security desk called in Gibson. A.J. and Sienna were taken back to the same room where they’d talked to Norton. They sat down in the nondescript gray metal chairs.

A man was ushered into the room. He stood at attention.

“Sergeant Gibson reporting as ordered, sir.”

A.J. could see his name printed on his uniform. Gibson was a tall, muscular black man with a shaved head and kept his eyes straight ahead. He was wearing cammies with the sleeves rolled up. The uniform was impeccably clean and pressed.

Sienna piped up. “Detective Parker from SDPD and this is Lieutenant Camacho. We need to ask you a few questions about Corporal Buckner.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sergeant Gibson said, his brows narrowing.

“Do you have any idea where he might be?” Sienna asked in her no-nonsense detective voice.

“No, ma’am,” Sergeant Gibson said, sweat beginning to glisten off his smooth skull.


Tags: Zoe Dawson Suspense