“Your mom in the Army too?”
“Air Force. She’s a pilot.”
“That’s pretty cool, Kathy.”
“I’m really proud of her. She can fly anything. I’ve been up with her in a Cessna. She did some things that made my stomach do flip-flops but it never fazed her.”
“I’m sure.” Michelle took another swallow of soup. “I guess everyone at school knows about Tyler’s dad?”
“They made an announcement today. Everybody was so sad. But I think Tyler was really embarrassed by it.”
“So if you’ve known Tyler since elementary school, I guess you knew his mom?”
Kathy nodded. “I did. That was tragic too.”
“Yeah. Considering how old Tyler was when she died, she must’ve been very young.”
“She was.”
“Did she die of cancer?”
Kathy looked startled. “Is that what Tyler told you?”
“No, he didn’t say. But judging by your look, I’m guessing that’s not what she died of.”
“Look, if Tyler didn’t tell you I don’t think I should. He must have had a reason.”
“Well, frankly, I don’t think Tyler is thinking all that clearly right now. So she didn’t die from an illness?”
“Well, I guess you could call it an illness.”
“I’m not following,” said Michelle.
“Mental illness. Depression.” Kathy paused. “Mrs. Wingo killed herself.”
Michelle took another spoonful of soup. She wasn’t particularly hungry, but she also wanted a few beats of time to digest this and decide how best to proceed.
“My God,” she finally said. “His mom killed herself and now his dad dies in combat.”
“I know,” said Kathy, her voice starting to tremble. “I feel so bad for him.”
“But at least he has his stepmom,” Michelle threw out.
Kathy frowned. “I’m not sure how good that is for Tyler.”
Michelle nodded thoughtfully. “He never came out and said, but I could tell he doesn’t really get along with her.”
“Why should he?” Kathy said, her voice rising. “I mean, Mr. Wingo goes off and gets married to a woman a lot younger than he was and they hadn’t even known each other that long. Tyler didn’t know her at all really. And did he tell you they got married by a judge? There wasn’t even a wedding. They just showed up at the house one day and they were married. Tyler was so upset.”
“And his dad never explained to him why he did that?”
“Not that Tyler ever told me.” Kathy stopped and stared at Michelle. “You never said what you were helping Tyler with.”
Michelle took out a business card and slid it across to Kathy. She looked down at it and her eyes widened.
“What does Tyler need with a detective?”
“Answers. That’s why most people hire detectives.”