Amazing Grace (The American Soldier Collection 3)

You’re the one I want, need, desire the most.

I will continue to pursue my hobby, my pleasure,

Until your safe return home, my love, my treasure.

Frank stood there disgusted and angry. This guy had no fear. He was determined to get to Grace. His poor sister, what would she do when she found out? He thought about his family and about poor Jamie. Detectives continued to gather possible evidence and then Federal agents arrived on the scene. Agent Lancaster and Agent Sullivan along with Jim and Teddy.

“What’s that you have, Detective Thompson?” Agent Lancaster asked Frank.

Frank was a bit annoyed with the agent. They didn’t hit it off very well from the start.

“A letter the killer left. It’s been bagged, noted, and we have established a chain of custody for all evidence. This is the searching officer who’s in charge of it.” Frank pointed to one of the patrol officers, Billy Butler. The young cop moved forward but Lancaster didn’t acknowledge him. Instead he took the evidence out of Frank’s hands and read the letter. Frank rolled his eyes at Lancaster and the officer shook his head in agreement. Apparently Frank wasn’t the only one the agent pissed off.

Just then Lieutenant Donald Friedman entered the house. He went directly toward Frank and the agent.

“What happened, Frank? I heard over the radio that Tod called for an ambulance and that the killer was here. Is Jamie all right?” he asked, worried about his new daughter-in-law.

“She’s at the hospital, Donald. Tod went into the ambulance with her. She’s alive.” Frank didn’t add anything more.

“Where were you before, Lieutenant?” Agent Lancaster asked Donald. Frank and Donald looked at him funny.

“What do you mean? When?” Donald asked defensively.

“You left the office as soon as Sarah Thompson came in around lunchtime. Where did you go? I was looking for you,” Lancaster asked. Frank thought Lancaster sounded like he didn’t trust Donald one bit.

“What do you think, Agent Lancaster, that Donald had something to do with this?” Frank asked the agent, speaking rather loudly.

At this point the room and hallway became quiet as the detectives and patrol officers looked on.

“I think you

need to go back to the office. I have a few questions for you, Lieutenant,” Lancaster said, not backing down from his suspicion.

“Well, your questions can just wait. I’m going to the hospital to be with my son and daughter-in-law. I’d be careful if I were you.” Donald pointed at Lancaster’s face. Agent Sullivan stepped between the two men.

“Just go to the hospital, Donald. We’ll take care of things here,” Frank said as Donald gave the agent a dirty look and headed down the hallway.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Agent Lancaster? Donald?” Frank asked.

“You’re not in charge of this investigation, Frank. I am and I don’t need to inform you about information I might have. Remember who’s in charge.” Agent Lancaster and Agent Sullivan walked away from Frank.

“What an asshole,” Frank said, as he looked toward the bedroom where other detectives and police officers stood watching him.

* * * *

Grace, Sandman, Big Jay, and Duke were sitting on the porch enjoying the beautiful clear night along with some coffee. Grace was telling them about Europe.

“My mom told me to be careful when I left. That many Europeans were interested in marrying American women so they could get to the United States and become citizens. Anyway it was my first month in Venice. I was supposed to meet some friends after dinner at a local dance club in town but first I was in the mood for lasagna.” Duke caressed her shoulder. She was leaning against him as they sat on the porch swing.

“The night was beautiful, kind of like tonight. You could hear the echo of police sirens in the air. You know they drive ridiculously fast in Europe? There are constant automobile accidents. Anyway a bunch of us decided to treat ourselves to a gourmet, four-course Italian feast. What better place to go than to a four-star Italian restaurant? The atmosphere was amazing, so authentic and cultural. Italian opera music filled the air and not from some stereo unit. It was the real thing. A twelve-piece orchestra played beautiful music, we drank wine, and tried to speak Italian,” she said, giggling as she remembered the night’s events.

“Sounds delicious,” Duke whispered then kissed her shoulder. She smiled at him.

“We started off with some stuffed artichokes, homemade roasted peppers in extra virgin olive oil, fresh baked Italian bread, rolls, and specially seasoned dipping oil. It was fantastic. By the time the entrees came we were stuffed and the waiter, a very handsome young man, was catering to me hand and foot. The others picked up on it right away but it wasn’t until I received my piece of lasagna that I noticed something was up.

“Three of my other friends ordered the same thing but my piece was huge. It was so delicious that I ate the entire thing and noticed the waiter stood and watched me.

“He asked my friend in Italian and broken English if I enjoyed the meal and of course I told him how wonderful it was and he was extremely pleased.