Free The Rogue Element (Scott Priest Book 1) by John Hardy Bell Page B

and I followed suit in adjoining armchairs.
    “I couldn’t go into work today,” Bethany said in a tone laced with genuine sadness. “It’s just too much to believe that something like this could happen to her. Marisol was honestly the sweetest person I’ve ever met. And she was the best mom too.” She covered her mouth to stifle a sudden gasp. “Dana and Christina. Those poor girls. Have they been notified?”
    I nodded. “I paid them a visit earlier this morning.”
    “How are they holding up?”
    “As bravely as two young teenagers can under the circumstances.”
    “I need to reach out to them as soon as possible.”
    “I’m sure that would be appreciated. They spoke very highly of you.”
    The strain in Bethany’s face eased slightly. “I’m glad to hear that. I do miss them.”
    Kimball looked at me and rubbed his chin, the high sign to get the interview moving.
    “They told me that the circumstances of their mother’s departure from here were somewhat acrimonious.”
    Kimball promptly stopped rubbing his chin.
    “Acrimonious is a very strong word,” Bethany replied with a hint of discomfort.
    “I use that word only because her termination was very much unexpected.”
    “It certainly wasn’t anything I wanted to happen.”
    “Can you expand upon that at all?” Kimball asked.
    “Is my husband aware that you’re here?”
    Kimball and I glanced at each other before I turned back to Bethany.
    “No ma’am. This is a fluid investigation and we’re following up on the few leads we have as quickly as we can. There wasn’t much time to consult him. I hope that won’t be a problem.”
    “It’s not a problem at all, Detective Priest. I understand and appreciate your urgency. I’m only asking because if you want to get the full story of why Marisol is no longer employed here, you’ll have to get it from him. I only have his version of events to draw from.”
    “And what is Commander Brandt’s version of events?”
    She blew out a deep, mournful breath before answering. “My husband claims that he came home one day unannounced and caught Marisol in our office going through his personal file cabinet.”
    Kimball looked to me for a follow up question, but I couldn’t come up with one. This was already differing wildly from what I’d previously known to be the truth.
    “What’s in this file cabinet?” Kimball finally asked.
    “Financial records, personnel files related to the department. All confidential. He claims that he always kept it locked.”
    Kimball perked up noticeably. “Did she tell him why she was going through it? Could she have just been cleaning it and he mistook her intentions?”
    “According to him, she couldn’t offer a good reason for being in it. When he saw her, he of course got angry. She began arguing back; saying that he had no business questioning her, and that was that. He fired her on the spot.”
    “Did you ever get the chance to clear things up with her?” I asked.
    “I tried. I called her cell phone dozens of times. I even showed up at her apartment once. I could never reach her. It was almost like she was avoiding me.”
    “Do you think it was because she was guilty of what the commander had accused her of?” Kimball asked pointedly.
    “In my heart of hearts I don’t think she was guilty of anything, but there’s no possible way I can prove that. Especially now.”
    “Then why would he say that?” I retorted.
    “As I said before, if you want the full story you’ll have to ask him.”
    Kimball looked at me as if to say nothing left to see here. Time to move along. But I wasn’t quite ready.
    “Based on what I gathered from the girls, you and Marisol were close, that last incident notwithstanding. Did she ever share things about her personal life?”
    “Explain what you mean by personal.”
    “Did she ever talk about relationships? Specifically about anyone she may have been dating?”
    Bethany shifted in her chair, the first time I’d noticed