He tugged down hard to test it, but the latch held firm against the wood.

“Did you put this lock on before your unit shipped out to Germany, Major?” Bell asked.

“No,” I said.

“That closet held our sheets and spare towels, and it just had a push-button lock on the inside knob.”

Officer Bell bent down and pressed his ear to the wooden door for three long seconds.

“I don’t hear anything inside,” Bell said.

“No breathing, nothing mechanical.”