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“If there were no witnesses to your husband’s death, how do you know it was Hill?” Ivy asked gently.

“I didn’t know for sure at first, but people talk when they drink and, much like you, Doctor, I knew the right questions to ask after they’d had a few. Soldiers like to brag.” She looked at me. “No offense, but they do. Over the past couple years, I pieced the story together. Then one night Hill sat right here and bragged about how he was untouchable because of who his brother was. Someone muttered Phil’s name, and he laughed.” She paused to hold back a sob. “He actually laughed and then made the action of raising a gun and made a pop sound like he’d shot him.”

“Holy…” Ivy’s sympathetic expression brought out the woman’s sob, and she pressed her hands to her mouth to stop herself. “I’m so sorry.” Ivy placed a hand on her shoulder. “I promise you we’ll do everything in our power to take him down, not just for Ty’s friend, but also for your Phil.”

“It’s like an unstoppable loop inside.” She dropped her arms heavily at her sides. “I need to accept that Phil is gone, but without justice, it’s like I can’t. I feel like I’m fighting my own war and there’s no end in sight. No one will listen to me about Hill, and what can I do? I have no evidence.” She put a hand on my arm. “But if you could really do something. Well, maybe I could take a step forward, put this behind me. I know that’s what Phil would want.”

“It’s exactly what Phil would want you to do.” Ivy smiled warmly.

“Which guys hang out with Hill?” I asked as softly as I could. “Which ones do you think might talk to us? If any.”

“Ahh,” she thought for a moment, “yeah, actually.” She pulled out her notepad and scribbled some names. “I’m Pam, by the way.” She smiled as she realized we hadn’t had a proper introduction. “That’s my number at the bottom.” She looked down at Ivy’s card. “I have your number Dr. Knight, so if I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

“Ivy,” Ivy corrected her and gave her a pat.

“And I’m Major Ty Beckett. We’ll do the same and let you know if we come up with anything,” I promised. As I turned toward the door, I looked back and realized Ivy had stayed behind, so I stepped outside to give them a moment. Truth was, everyone could use a little Ivy in their lives. She genuinely cared about people. I loved that about her.

“Ty?” a female called, and it took me a few seconds to place the voice.

“Melony?” I turned to find Moore’s cousin and her group of friends. They pushed through the crowd toward me. “What are you doing here?” I wasn’t ready for her hug, and it lasted a little longer than I was comfortable with.

“Are you kidding me? We’re here all the time.” She grinned at her friends. “Everyone, this is Captain Ty Beckett.” She paused when she caught herself. “No, wait, it’s Major now, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I guess it is.” I shrugged then leaned against the bar top. “How’ve you been?” Melony practically lived at Moore’s house. I knew his mom’s brother, Mel’s dad, was always in and out of rehab, so Moore’s family had helped raise her.

“Just living my best life at twenty-three.” She giggled with her friends.

“At a bar?” I questioned and arched an eyebrow at her.

“Men in uniforms, Ty. This place is loaded with ’em.” She laughed.

“Mm.” I shook my head.

“I blame you,” she tossed playfully at me, “you in your camo.” She fanned herself, and I was taken aback by her flirting. I’d never really looked at Melony that way. She was my buddy’s cousin, after all. I just never went there in my head.

“I see.” I cleared my throat while the other girls blinked up at me with their doe eyes. “So, you’re on the prowl, so to speak?”

“Sort of, yeah.”

“Tell him,” her friend urged her. “Tell him about the guy. She met him last time we were here, and he’s here again today.”

“Who?” I immediately wished I hadn’t asked. I didn’t really want to know, but maybe I should.

“No way, because if you know him, I know you’ll get all big brother on me.”

“No, but if you don’t tell me, I’ll tell Moore you’re here and let him question you.”

“That’s dirty,” she huffed and rolled her eyes. “His name is Matthew Rivera.” My blood went cold, and I know she saw it on my face. “Don’t start, Ty.”

“If you knew what was good for you, you wouldn’t talk to him again.”

“I love that you’re protective, Ty, but you can’t stop me from talking to him.” Her hand moved to cover mine, but I pulled it away.

“Look.” I moved her away from her friends. I leaned close and lowered my voice. “He’s connected to Brown’s death.” I watched her face drop. “Yeah, he’s up to his neck in it, Melony. Please do your cousin and me a favor and stay away.”

“Damn, I didn’t know.” She sighed. “It would explain why he was asking questions and seemed so interested in where my cousin had disappeared to.” She squinted. “Where is he, anyway?”

“He’s on another mission,” I lied, suddenly furious they were targeting our family members now. “You need to leave, Melony.”

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