Yellow Ribbons Read Free Page A

paramedics neared the girls. Their eyes widened, spilling more tears down their cheeks. The older girl wrapped her arm around her sister.
    “Not good.” Greg looked around. “I don’t see a woman in sight. Present company excluded.”
    Lani made another visual pass. There were female neighbors, but they’d all been relegated behind the tape. None dared to come forward to offer help for the children. “They could be just as terrified of me at this point.”
    “True, but if those were my kids…” He left the rest unsaid. How could anyone know what they’d do under these circumstances? The man had a big soft spot for children and animals. Lani always wondered why he’d never married and had a bunch of kids. At unit family functions, he was always in the thick of things, playing with the kids. Children adored him. Animals followed him like he was their god. Come to think of it, she knew a fair share of marines, young and old, who did that too.
    “You go inside. I’ll see what I can do for those girls. Report back to me once you know what’s going on in there.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He trotted off, and Lani picked up her pace and headed for the ambulance.
    The paramedic straightened when he saw her coming and met her halfway. He looked shell-shocked, maybe new to the job. Or else the scene was so bad, even a seasoned pro couldn’t handle it. She was glad she’d opted to stay outside.
    “I’m Captain Elaine Hollister, deputy provost marshal.” She extended her hand.
    He engulfed it with his paw of a hand. “Tom Barrow, ma’am.”
    “Saw the girls and thought I might be able to help.” A quick squeeze was the extent of their handshake.
    “They’re pretty shook up. Rightfully so. It’s…bad,” he finished in a whisper. “Mother was killed while they hid under their beds. Blood…all over the bedroom. Looks like murder/suicide. Deputies can’t get much out of the girls yet. Child Protective Services was called. Maybe you can calm them. Neighbors have been keeping their distance. No one even offered to help. Weird.”
    “Who called it in?”
    “The oldest girl called . Her name’s Susie. Her sister is Amber. Five and four. Mother’s Regina Whittaker, according to her driver’s license. I’ll give you some privacy.”
    She continued on to the ambulance. The older girl watched her; the younger one sobbed. Lani wondered if she should have taken the time to put on her charlies. Having a uniform on might have created a bond with the girls to see she was a marine too. The best she could do was make sure they saw the badge clipped to her waistband.
    “Hi.” She sat on the bumper, putting herself below their level and hopefully looking less threatening. “I’m Captain Hollister. I work with the police on base. You can call me Lani. What are your names?”
    Several seconds passed while the two debated their response. Finally, the older one pointed to the badge on Lani’s jeans. “Are you a police officer?”
    “I am.” She smiled, inviting confidences and trying to instill a sense of calm she sure as hell didn’t feel. “I’m the deputy provost marshal on base.”
    “A captain,” the girl repeated.
    “Yes.”
    “Our dad’s a captain.”
    Shit.
    “I want my daddy.” Tears swam in the little one’s big blue eyes. “We put those up for him.” She pointed to the yellow ribbons. “He wasn’t here for Christmas. The man was. He told us there was no Santa. He’s a liar.”
    “What man, sweetie?” Lani touched the little girl’s knee.
    “The man who hurt our mama,” the older one replied. She snapped upright and looked over Lani’s shoulder, her eyes wide and fearful once more.
    Lani looked around, then stood when Greg motioned her his way. They retreated to a distance out of the kids’ earshot.
    “It’s one of ours,” he said, keeping his voice low.
    She frowned, running the personnel roster in her head. No one came to mind. “The mother?”
    “The man who presumably killed her.