The major picked up the gun and inspected it. “Good the safety is on. Guns can get you into trouble. Sam’s a big man—he could wrestle it away from you in an instant. Who knows what he could do to you or Nora. There has to be a better solution!”

“I have to have it. It’s awful living in constant fear of Sam, especially for Nora. How could I have ever married him? I was a fool. Thankfully the divorce is final!” Eloise looked at the major and sensed his thoughts were elsewhere.

“You know . . . I have a friend in the FBI at the Atlanta office. We became close at West Point. I bet he can help. I’ll see if he can look into Sam’s background.”

The same Friday night, Sam was pulled over again for another DUI. The police slammed him back into jail. Another incident helped to get the ball rolling to start an investigation. By March, substantial information had been gathered on Sam—enough for the FBI to open an official investigation.

***

April 1970

In early April, Nora overheard her mother and the major talking. They were caught up in their conversation and seemed to forget she was in the apartment.

“Listen to me, Eloise. There is startling news. It’s all happened so quickly. My friend from the FBI contacted me today. I don’t have all the details but enough. Sam is a fugitive, running from his past. Please sit next to me and I’ll explain.”

Eloise shuddered as she slid next to the major on the couch. He held her hand. “Sam Butler is really Jason Cartiere from Mississippi. Right now there is a warrant out for his arrest in Biloxi, Mississippi. He’s been on the run for over four years. He changed his identity and blended into this sprawling community of Columbus. He even fooled you—you married him.”

“What did he do?”

“Murder!”

“Who?” Eloise’s voice rose.

The major paused. “His wife.”

“How?”

“In a fit of rage—he beat her to death. I heard it was gruesome. An older neighbor witnessed the murder from her second floor bedroom window. She’s the one who called it into the authorities. But, somehow, Sam managed to escape capture. You know the rest.”

Eloise shook. “I married a monster! How could I have been so foolish?”

“Hold on! Here’s the good news. He’s been arrested and sent back to Mississippi for arraignment and trial. It’ll be in tomorrow’s paper, but I wanted you to hear it from me first.”

Eloise collapsed against the major. “I can’t believe it. God has answered my prayers. He can’t hurt us anymore.”

“No, he can’t. He’ll probably be serving a life sentence—hopefully without parole.” The major pulled Eloise closer. “I want you to know I’m here for you and Nora. In time I hope Nora comes to accept me.”