My Fiancé, My Murderer

few days

t go to voicemail. His messages were a mix of feigned

e all gathered back at

od was

looked like h

linging to his arm, both loo

rrison. We're all set. Convoy leaves from the armory gates, 0800 Friday.

through the small group. Even Mik

his, Miller?" Tom as

ood, patriotic kids. Especially Emily, daughter of a hero,

t so wonderful how people r

"Daddy Hayes." She'

t show up?"

d mine. "See, Emily? Told you it would work out.

to gauge my reaction. He still couldn't understand why I wasn't fighting him,

iss the bus, and that was it for Brittany. His guilt over tha

new. This was his re

this time, and he wanted to

said, my voice neutral.

. He'd expected an argument,

make sure you're all there on

alked off, whispe

talking excitedly,

t such a bad guy a

n really came thr

mained quiet

ing to work?" he asked when

et on that convo

out after? Y

es, you have to let people hang

, not unde

d, turning away. "I h

feeling his e

o the Department of Veterans Affairs, wit

statements I'd managed to discreetly photograph from Miller's study late one night – statements showing large, regular transfers from

of yet, but it was enough

raudulent claim. The VA and the IG woul

inging Brittany along. He thought he w

w

, right alongside him

ond set of letter

d smile touc

e game