The Escape (John Puller, #3)(76)

“That’s one theory,” said Puller. “But it may be more complicated than that.”

Knox said, “You were obviously somewhat skeptical of the witness statements containing the same phraseology. You didn’t follow that up?”

“Again, it wasn’t my job. I pointed it out to the defense, not that they needed me to do that. And the rest of the evidence was very strong. Online gambling, piled-up debts. Means, motive, and opportunity. It was a classic case.”

“Well, the motivation could have been fabricated since we suspect his computer was hacked,” Puller pointed out.

“I can see that now,” replied Fletcher.

“So when did the death penalty get pulled off the table?” asked Puller.

This comment drew a sharp glance from Fletcher.

Puller said, “We know the charge was changed from spying, which carries a mandatory death penalty in times of war, to espionage, which doesn’t automatically mandate death. Why did that happen?” He leaned forward. “Because the record of the court-martial proceedings I looked at had you filing the motion for the change in the charges against Robert Puller. It didn’t come from the defense side.”

Fletcher clasped his hands in front of him and looked to be in deep thought. “That directive came from above.”

“How far above?”

“Well above me. But, frankly, I think the genesis for it came from outside the legal side of the military. And outside even the Air Force.”

Puller said, “How could that be? Robert Puller was in the Air Force. They would unquestionably have jurisdiction over him and the case.”

“You’re right in all respects. But I think it was because his father was a legendary Army general, if you want the truth. The DoD apparently thought that putting to death the son of such a hero would not be a good thing.”

Puller sat back. This hadn’t occurred to him.

Fletcher studied him. “He’s your father too, of course.”

“So you made the connection with the last name?”

“No, I knew before. When you’re prosecuting someone for a serious crime, you check out his family. I know all about you. And I’m absolutely stunned that you’re being allowed to investigate your brother’s escape from DB.”

“You’re not the only one,” said Puller. “So you think it had to do with our father?”

“Well, there was the letter he wrote.”

Puller didn’t seem to be able to process this statement. Knox glanced at him, saw his rigid look, and said to Fletcher, “What letter?”

“From General Puller, pleading for his son to not be tried for spying. It was quite moving.”

“When was it sent?” asked Knox, while still glancing nervously at Puller.

“Early on in the proceedings. The judge accepted the motion I filed, and of course the defense had no objection.”

Puller finally found his voice and said, “The letter wasn’t in the file.”

“I’m not surprised about that. It wasn’t technically part of the record.”

“Do you remember what else it said?” asked Puller.

“I actually kept a copy. If you give me your email I can scan it in and forward it to you.”

Puller gave him a business card and said, “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” asked Fletcher.

Knox said hastily. “If there is we’ll get back to you.”

They left a moody-looking Fletcher sitting behind his desk.

As they walked out Knox said, “You obviously didn’t know your father had written a letter.”

“He was at the VA by then. I didn’t think he had the capacity to even write his own name.”

“Well, he might have found the capacity to help a son fighting for his life.”

“But it seemed to me that he didn’t care what happened to Bobby.”

“Maybe your dad didn’t want to admit his feelings to you. Some men have a problem with that. You think your father fits into that category?”

“As far as I knew, my father never had any feelings,” said Puller tersely.





CHAPTER





40



CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, was the next stop on their list. They made it from Charlottesville in a little over four hours with Puller driving fast the whole way. He liked to drive because it gave him time to think. And he had a lot to think about, particularly about a letter a father had written in an attempt to save his oldest son from a death sentence.

“I don’t have any pennies on me, but I’ll fork over folding money to see inside your head.”

He looked over at Knox, who was staring at him with a worried expression.

“I was thinking about my dad.”

“And why he wrote the letter?”

“It doesn’t make sense.”

“Despite what you said, I’m sure your father has feelings.”

“I’ve heard him go off about my brother when I visited him at the VA. Unless I was somehow misconstruing his shouts and cursing, I’m not sure he was a real fan of what my brother allegedly did.”

“Well, knowing what we know now about your brother’s motivation to tank his own defense to protect you and your father, maybe you can tell him one day that his son was innocent.”