Page 40 of Jacques

She frowned at the note on the log. “Why would an officer single me out?”

Pruitt shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d never had an officer come to the barracks to ask whether a student had reported in. Missing students usually weren’t noticed until they didn’t show up for formation.”

“We weren’t having formation that morning,” Danny said. “We were done and waiting to go on to our next assignments.”

Pruitt nodded. “I thought it was weird at the time but didn’t think much about it.” He pushed the documents back toward Danny. “I’m glad you were able to get copies of the log and that it backs up what I remembered about that night.” He snorted. “I doubt I would’ve remembered anything about that night if Thacker hadn’t made such a noisy entrance. Most nights as the duty NCO were long and boring.” He sat back in his chair. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Danny shook her head and gathered the documents.

“I might be able to help you more,” Pruitt said, “if I knew what you were looking for.”

“We’re just trying to establish a timeline and the whereabouts of the people who attended that Ranger class’s victory celebration,” Jacques offered.

Pruitt’s gaze landed on Danny. “Well, I hope you find what you’re looking for, whatever it is.”

Danny gave the retired NCO a brief nod. “Thank you for going over the log with us.” She met Jacques’s gaze.

He gave her a single nod and pushed to his feet. “Mr. Pruitt, thank you for answering all of our questions.”

Pruitt stood. “Stop by anytime,” he said. “Even when you don’t have questions from by past. After all my years on active duty, surrounded by people, I thought that being alone, surrounded by water, I’d be in heaven.” He smiled. “I am, for the most part, but every once in a while, it gets lonely.”

Danny led the way out of the cabin and across the porch. As she started down the stairs, she stumbled and pitched forward.

“Steady, soldier,” Pruitt called out.

Danny gripped the handrail, and Jacques’s hand grabbed her elbow, yanking her back against him. “I gotcha,” he whispered against her hair.

His other arm wrapped around her middle and held her until she got her feet beneath her.

Danny didn’t try to break away. The solid wall of his chest pressed to her back steadied her even more than the hand on her arm. Through it all, he was a rock, always there when she needed him.

Finally, she said, “Thanks,” and reluctantly stepped away, making it to the bottom of the stairs without tripping again, the papers pressed to her chest.

She hurried to the boat and climbed aboard.

Jacques untied the line and settled in the seat at the helm. “You okay?’

She nodded. “I am. Embarrassed, but okay.”

He smiled. “No need to be,” he said and started the engine.

She shook her head, disgusted with herself for being so clumsy—and alarmed by the rush of excitement she’d felt when his arms had come around her.

Then it struck her.

She hadn’t been freaked out by a man holding her tightly. She hadn’t tried to slam him to the ground like she'd done with Bobby Ray Fontenot.

Maybe there was hope for her, yet. Maybe she could give in to that ache of longing swelling in her chest and allow a man to hold her intimately, without causing him harm and without the fear of dissolving into a panic attack.

Though she didn’t feel any closer to finding her attacker, she felt she’d taken another step toward healing.

Back at the marina, Jacques handed Mitch the boat keys. They headed into town and stopped for a late lunch at Mimi’s, both opting for her famous meatloaf and green beans.

Afterward, they headed back to the boat factory where Remy had Swede up on the monitor, ready to start the next interview.

“So far, the interviews haven’t revealed a lot,” Remy summarized. “Most remember little of that night. No one, so far, remembers seeing you leave. Our next interview is with a class member who is currently stationed in Germany. We wanted to catch him before it gets too late. They’re seven hours ahead there.”

“It’s time,” Swede said. “I’m placing the call.”