Written in Blood by Diane Fanning Page B

smiled.
    At first, everyone suspected that heart failure was the cause of George’s death. In the preliminary autopsy
report, however, the coronary workup did not indicate any blockage or other areas of concern.
    Then, everyone was certain that the toxicology report would hold the answer to George’s demise. When the final autopsy report was released, it contained the results of the toxicology testing. Every substance tested turned up negative. The military later told Liz that his death was caused when, in a condition similar to crib death, her husband’s system shut down and he died in his sleep.
    When Liz received the death certificate, it offered her no further information. Under “Location of death” was simply the word “Unknown.” And under “Cause of death,” there it was again, “Unknown.” She never learned the whole truth.

17
    The loss of her husband and best friend hung like an albatross around Liz’s neck. She sunk into a bottomless pit of depression, overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for two small children and a household on her own. For a long time, George’s uniform and boots remained laid out as if waiting for his imminent return.
    Liz did have a strong network of support. The members of George’s squadron and teachers from the school reached out to console her and help in any way they could.
    At Patty and Michael’s encouragement, Liz and her girls found a new home just up the street from the Peterson family. When it was time to move, all the men in George’s squadron pitched in to help. Lieutenant Colonel Scott asked his new Scottish nanny, Barbara O’Hara, if she would come along and help Liz pack. She and Liz hit it off from the start.
    Barbara offered to come over on Wednesday, her day off, and help Liz unpack. They did not get anything put away that day. Instead they sat drinking coffee, talking and playing with the babies.
    Barbara told Liz that although she had only been at
the Scotts’ house for three weeks, she just had to get out of there. She wanted to go back to Scotland. Liz offered to speak to the Scotts and make it possible for Barbara to stay with her until she could get the money to fly home.
    After three days, Barbara had proven to be so valuable, and the two women had gotten along so well, that Liz asked her to stay on as nanny. Barbara accepted.
    Liz’s depression left her incapable of bearing much more responsibility than teaching her class at school. She was always exhausted and filled with the despairing thought that life was not worth living. There were days when she came home from work overwhelmed by it all and as soon as Barbara greeted her, she’d say, “I don’t want to talk today, Barbara. I just want to go upstairs and lie down.” That was the last Barbara or the girls saw of her until the next morning.
    Like a white knight, Michael galloped into her life to handle finances and guide all the decision-making in the household. He made some of the decisions without consulting Liz at all.
    He took charge of drafting a new will for Liz. The previous document she and George had signed—the one that Michael denied existed at George’s funeral—stipulated that, should anything happen to both of them, George’s parents would assume guardianship of their two girls. If they were unable to do so, Patty and Michael would assume that responsibility. Liz’s new will stated: “I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Michael I. and Patricia S. Peterson as Guardians, acting jointly or separately, of each of my minor children until he or she reaches majority or is otherwise legally emancipated.” The will also granted either Mike or Patty
the authority to dispose of her property for the support and education of the girls. The change seemed quite natural—the Petersons and Ratliffs were very close friends. Margaret and Martha called them Aunt Patty and Uncle