Chapter 2

Tony read the emailed report on the plane.

Lieutenant (JG) Tomas Jenkins Navy Aviator last seen leaving a disco in town with a female. Female known as Maria Sanchos. Said, yes he walked her home, tried it on, but he wasn't too upset, said there were other fish in the sea. Later, seen in the mess hall drinking heavily, and arguing, with another aviator. Had been asked to leave, but later seen fighting with someone before getting into a cab with another man.

Not much to go on but he seemed to have a lot of male friends, Tony thought.

The plane trip although an 8hrs flight took in time zones so when he actually got there it was only 6hrs difference.

The balmy afternoon air was so different from the fresher air he had left that morning in D.C. Although late afternoon, it was still light but for how long, Rota being nearer the equator than the capital.

No customs at Rota, but he still needed checked out by the Military Police, who did query the insignificant lack of luggage, only his rucksack which he had lifted before he had left. Tony explained the best he could but was relieved when Stan eventually appeared, and talked to the men who smiled and eventually handed Tony back his passport and documentation.

"Sorry about that, being late, but the ME has done his autopsy best he can and has reported that it would be blunt force trauma to the skull, a depressed indentation probably caused by a hammer or monkey wrench," Stan began to explain as he pointed to a jeep outside the door with a navy driver waiting patiently, the engine running, "Meet Caro, and before you get any ideas she's already spoken for," he added looking at the smile on Tony's face diminish as Caro's widened.

"Nice, so not an easy murder weapon to find then," Tony replied as he climbed into the rear seat, and watched the surrounding countryside.

15 minutes later they arrived at an apartment block, well 4 apartments in a cube, it was typical Spanish style and as Tony looked it up and down he could see laundry flapping in the wind from the shared sunroof.

"Best we got, but I'm afraid you get the sofa bed." "No problem, slept on many in my time, better than an army fold down."

"I got one of the Logistic supply stewards to do a quick pick up, you know toothpaste, razor and blades, deodorant, and picked you up some fatigues," Stan added opening the door followed by Tony, who looked back at the jeep which was now driving down the street.

"Yep, but could also do with something to eat I'm starved," as he saw a selection of clothing on the couch. "I'll let you tidy up…shower's through that door there," as Stan pointed to his left.

Tony slung his backpack on the couch, picked up the towel, soap and shaving gear, "We're all men together, nothing you haven't seen before, so I'll shower and then get changed in here if that is acceptable," he didn't wait for a reply, Stan just smiled, but went to his own room to freshen up.

20 minutes later, a refreshed Tony, clean and presentable stood in the apartment raring to go. "Are we eating first or do you want to show me the sights?" Tony asked as his stomach gave a rumble.

"Well looks like we eat but I'll show you the mess hall and his digs after, most of the ground work has been done, it is more the investigation. Our forensic lads are running tests now, but it isn't looking good. Oh and before you ask the alcohol was amontillado."

-oOo-

They ate in one of the officers mess halls, "Better chow," Stan had said, and Tony had to agree.

"That was pretty good, must then again not eaten since this morning, but we going to move on to the site of the altercation?" Stan nodded, paid the bill and the two men left. "It's not actually far, just round the corner, and just off the main drag."

"So could have been abducted quite easily, not many eyes about?" "The ME say anything about the body in the cask?" Tony asked as they walked.

"Only that Rigor Mortis begins to tighten the muscles for about 24 hours, then it will reverse and the body will return to a limp state. So it looks like he was taken somewhere and then put in the cask and returned to base," Stan replied.

"And do we have anything to go on the cask? Where it came from and where it was heading or should have headed," Tony continued to question, as he heard Stan's cell ring.

"OK…will tell Tony…thanks we'll get onto that," as he cut the call, "That was the forensic guys, you will be pleased to know that the cask actually came from the Montilla region which conveniently is about 3 hours from here about 263KM," Stan began to say.

"So about 165miles same as from DC to Norfolk, could be possible, then killed here, driven there, kept overnight put in cask and returned to Rota. And of course the sherry was Amontillado as you say, why am I thinking "The Cask of Amontillado?" Tony replied.

"I think I better get us a car for the morning," as Stan made a call and saw Tony nod.