Читать книгу The Military K-9 Unit Collection - Valerie Hansen - Страница 57

TEN

Mayhem reigned in and around Zoe’s apartment. When Linc didn’t return quickly, she’d put in a call to Security Forces and reported all she knew, including the sounds of human and dog doing battle. That would certainly explain why Linc and Star had not come back yet.

Further proof was the arrival of other K-9 teams. Among them was Master Sergeant Westley James, handling an all-black German shepherd, another man with Watson on his name tag and what looked like a Belgian Malinois, and a stern-looking guy in a dark windbreaker displaying FBI in large white letters across the back.

Zoe stayed out of their way while being examined by ambulance personnel. She’d kept her head enough to insist on photos before allowing the first responders to check her from head to toe. While a young female airman kept Freddy occupied and isolated, crime scene investigators had taken samples from Zoe’s bedroom and had bagged everything before allowing her to shower in private.

Getting clean had never felt so wonderful. If she hadn’t been so worried about Linc and his dog, she would have felt total relief. No one was telling her a thing. After having got used to the way Linc had begun treating her, she was taken aback by the cold shoulder she got from both his team and other investigators.

Emerging in clean, dry PT clothing and with a towel around her wet hair, Zoe recognized Captain Blackwood from the warehouse investigation. When her eyes met his, she was not soothed in the least.

Nevertheless, she approached him and saluted. “Captain.”

His blue steel glance was almost enough to give her the shivers. “Sergeant Sullivan. I’m told you can’t explain what took place here this morning.”

“Only that I woke up and stepped in—” Zoe swallowed hard “—blood. I have no idea when it was put there or who did it. I didn’t see a soul.” She watched a shepherd dog leaving with its handler. “Did the dogs turn up any clues?”

“Some. Whoever supposedly attacked you is most likely the same person Star apprehended. A scent trail led from here to the spot where the dog was injured.”

Zoe’s heart skipped a beat. “She’s going to be all right, isn’t she? Nobody will tell me a thing except that she’s alive.”

“I don’t have the veterinary report yet, but she was conscious when she was transported.”

Clasping her hands, Zoe felt tears welling. “Oh, thank God. Literally. I’ve been praying for her to be okay.”

Blackwood didn’t seem impressed by her spirituality. “I would think, Sergeant, that you would put your son’s welfare first and stop resorting to cheap tricks. Believe me, we will not be distracted that easily.”

“What do you mean, tricks?”

“You know as well as I do that the red substance was not real blood.”

“What? It wasn’t?”

“No. It was not.”

“Then why did you take so long examining my apartment?”

“Obviously something occurred here. If you didn’t set up this fiasco to throw us off your brother’s trail, perhaps you would like to stop withholding information about the person or persons who have been harassing you.”

“Is that what you call it? I call it attacking me, especially this last time. That stuff sure felt real. How was I to know it was fake?”

He studied her as if she were a slide under a microscope before saying, “We’re running tests on it to see if it can be traced, not that that will help much.”

Zoe didn’t try to suppress a shiver. “There’s nothing more I can tell you, Captain. If I’m free to leave, I plan to drop my son at day care early, then begin conducting my regular classes. Any objections?”

“Not from me. When you’re not teaching, Master Sergeant James will make sure you’re covered until Sergeant Colson is able to resume his regular duties.”

“Will that depend on Star? I mean, does she have to be well before he can come back to watch me?”

“That will be up to Sergeant James. As long as Sergeant Colson isn’t involved in aggressive tracking or apprehension, I see no reason why he’d be sidelined until his K-9 is fit for duty.”

“Thank you.” Zoe truly meant it. The captain might not be smiling but at least he was speaking to her. She thought of teenage Portia and felt a twinge of empathy. It was hard for her, being of a lower rank, to speak openly with Blackwood. What must it be like to be his daughter and be forced to get used to his stern demeanor as part of daily life at home? Nightmares were made of notions like that. Although, given her own dad’s overly permissive attitude toward his only son when Boyd was a naughty child, she guessed she’d rather have a strict father like the captain.

“Too bad we don’t get to choose our parents,” she murmured as she headed for her room to dress for work. In a way, she could choose another parent for Freddy, couldn’t she? By finding a suitable male role model for her son while he was young and impressionable, she could help him mature into a far better man than her brother ever thought of being.

So who’s a good candidate? It didn’t take a heartbeat for her to picture Linc Colson. Except I’m never getting married again, she insisted. Never, never, never. Freddy can have mentors without her marrying them. Besides, limiting his exposure to one man was too exclusive. He needed to meet lots of strong, honest, sensible yet gentle men.

And there it was again. The image of Linc burning brightly in her thoughts and memories.

Logic intruded to dampen her mood like a summer thunderstorm in the dry Texas hills. Colson was only hanging around because he had orders to. Now that he’d been through trials with her, seen her looking her worst and had his dog injured to boot, she’d be the last woman he’d be able to look at romantically, even if she so desired.

Which I do not, Zoe insisted, hoping that stating the obvious would help her accept it. If she ever did decide to remarry, she knew she would choose a man a lot like Linc. Except with a more trusting nature, she added quickly. She might have a ton of baggage left over from childhood, but Colson wasn’t empty-handed either. They were both toting enough excess to fill the cargo hold of a C-130.

Little feet pattered. Freddy ran to her as soon as she entered his room. He tugged on her skirt. Zoe bent down. “What, honey?”

“I’m hungry.”

“I know you are, Freddy. What do you say we go out for breakfast today?”

“Why?”

“Um, because the house is a mess and there are lots of people here.”

“I saw. They made me stay in my room.” He brightened. “You can make pancakes for them, too!”

“No, thanks.” Zoe helped him put on socks and shoes, then lifted him into her arms. “We can stop and buy breakfast on the way to see Miss Maisy at day care, okay? You can order whatever you want.”

“Where’s Star?”

Zoe had been hoping he wouldn’t ask, but she wasn’t going to lie to him. “Star got a little boo-boo so she’s at the doctor’s.”

“Will he give her a shot?” The child’s fearful expression was so comical she almost laughed.

“I don’t know, honey, but if she does get a shot, I’m sure she’ll take it like a good airman.”

“Yeah. She’s real brave.”

Braver than I am sometimes, Zoe thought with chagrin. While she’d been standing there feeling sorry for herself and inadvertently distracting Sergeant Colson, that amazing K-9 was chasing down whoever had messed with her. If she were authorized, she’d award Star a medal.

Even though the blood wasn’t real.

* * *

At the Military Working Dog Training Center, in the veterinary hospital wing that was an integral part of the installation, Linc’s injured rottweiler lay stretched out on a steel table in an exam room. She was conscious and panting but not her usual energetic self.

Linc hovered in the background while Captain Kyle Roark, DVM and head of Canine Veterinary Services at CAFB, went over Star, wet black nose to stubby tail. One young female tech dressed in blue scrubs stood by, waiting for orders while another was preparing a gurney.

“I’ve given your dog a mild sedative and painkiller,” Roark said, turning a sympathetic gaze toward Linc. “Her overall condition is good, but her respirations are a little fast and shallow.” He was using a light but firm touch to examine Star’s body. “I don’t feel any broken bones, but I’m going to have Airman Fielding take her down to X-ray to make sure her ribs aren’t cracked. Why don’t you come with me and get a cup of coffee while we wait for the results of the films?”

“I thought they were digital these days.”

Roark chuckled. “They are. It’s an old habit to refer to plates and actual film.” He stripped off latex gloves and dropped them in a refuse bin before taking Linc by the arm and steering him out of the exam room.

“I should stay with Star,” Linc said. “She needs me.”

“What she needs is rest, which I will see she gets while she’s here. Don’t worry. My people know what they’re doing. Fielding may look young and afraid of her own shadow sometimes but she knows her job and does it well. You need to back off and settle down before your dog picks up your nervous vibes and gets upset herself.”

Although Linc walked the hallway with the doctor, his heart remained with his K-9. “It’s all my fault,” he said solemnly when they reached the break room. “I stopped to check on a human victim and let Star go on alone. I should have stayed with her until we’d apprehended the suspect.”

“Not if you thought you had a victim at the scene already. You know the dogs are trained to bite and hold on. The fact that Star took a couple of hits before he stunned her and escaped proves how good that training is.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my dog,” Linc said, grimacing. “It’s my training that needs refreshing.”

The dark-haired veterinarian chuckled and clapped him on the back. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. She’s going to recover. The X-rays are just to be on the safe side. If it is cracked ribs, it’s nothing life-threatening.”

“If I ever catch up to the lowlife who kicked her, there’ll be something life-threatening for him. Me.”

“Spoken like a dedicated K-9 handler.” The vet approached a coffee urn and slipped two Styrofoam cups off the stack, handing one to Linc. “Help yourself. Creamer and sugar are over there.”

“Thanks. I didn’t get my usual shot of caffeine this morning.” He filled his cup. “I was planning to have coffee with Sergeant Sullivan.”

“I gather there’s a big mess over there?”

“Yeah.” Linc was shaking his head as he followed Roark to a small table, plopped into a folding chair and wrapped both hands around his steaming cup. “I thought the sergeant had been cut to pieces when I first saw her.” He suppressed a shudder.

“So I understand.” The captain’s dark gaze narrowed on the sergeant. “What’s the deal with you and her, anyway?”

“Sullivan? Nothing special. Master Sergeant James ordered me to stick close and see what I can learn by finessing information out of her.”

“Uh-huh.” Folding his muscular arms across an equally strong chest, Roark began to grin. “You sticking with that story?”

“It’s true.”

“Right. And I’m the commander in chief.” His expression of good humor softened. “There’s nothing wrong with two sergeants becoming involved. At least you’re not breaking any rules if you decide to date her.”

“It’s not like that. I’m just taking most of the daytime watches so she’ll get comfortable with me and open up.” He made a face into his coffee cup instead of looking at the captain. “I have decided she’s not hiding info about her brother.”

“So you trust her?”

“Enough. She’s got a little boy. I don’t think she’d do anything that might put him in jeopardy.” A flash of pain crossed the vet’s face so briefly that if Linc had not been looking straight at him he would have missed seeing it. “Hey, sorry, Captain. I wasn’t thinking.”

Roark shrugged nonchalantly, but Linc wasn’t fooled. The memory had hurt. “It’s okay. It happened a long time ago.”

Knowing that the man had lost both his wife and a young daughter—and during the Christmas season to boot—Linc decided to change the subject. “What’s the prognosis for Star? Do you think she’ll be sidelined long?”

“I doubt it. If nothing’s broken, she should get over any soreness in a few days or so. Even with cracked ribs, she can do light duty.” His smile returned. “I don’t recommend you send her on any more solo chases for a while, though.”

“Yeah. My fault entirely.”

“What about Sergeant Sullivan? Did she sustain any injuries in the attack?”

Linc shook his head. “That’s the crazy part. Whoever broke into her apartment apparently did it to unhinge her. I’m actually surprised that she recovered enough to function this morning.”

“Women are not the weaker sex, in case you haven’t noticed. We may be physically stronger, but they have us beat when it comes to rolling with the punches. Look at how she refuses to be cowed by a murderous brother. I’d have my back to a wall and be locked and loaded 24/7 if Boyd Sullivan came from my family. My older sister is bad enough.” His smile spread to a grin. “She’s a major in the army.”

“Wow. I see what you mean.”

Relaxing in the chair and stretching, Roark asked, “What about your kin, Colson? Are they military, too?”

Linc wished he could find a hole in the floor and dive through it. “One was. We don’t talk about him.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Kyle Roark said. “Every family has its unsavory relatives. You just have to dig deep enough and there they are.”

“Yeah.” Thinking of Zoe, Linc asked, “Do you know anything about Sergeant Sullivan’s late husband? His name was Flint. John Flint.”

“Not offhand. Why?”

“It’s not important. Apparently, he wasn’t the finest representative of the air force either.”

“We take what we can get,” the vet replied. “Some recruits are better than others. Take Airman Fielding, for instance. At first glance, she seems a bit on the flighty side, but she’s the best tech I’ve had in years.”

“What’s her story?”

Roark shrugged. “Beats me. She’s not a typical chatty female. When I’m doing surgery that’s a plus, believe me.”

Linc stood, disposed of his empty Styrofoam cup and waited for his companion to join him. “I’m ready to go back and see about Star.”

“Okay, okay. We’ve had a long enough break, anyway.” He clapped Linc on the shoulder. “Remember what I said about women. It’s okay to take up with somebody of equal rank. You won’t lose stripes over it.”

“That’s not what’s stopping me.”

“Oh?” They proceeded down the short hall together.

“Marriage is not for me. Never was. Never will be.”

“Sounds pretty final.”

“It is. Just because I believe she’s been truthful about her brother doesn’t mean I trust her regarding all the harassment she’s receiving. She keeps insisting she has no idea who’s doing this to her, yet it seems irrational that she wouldn’t have at least a glimmer of a clue.”

“You’ve classed her as an honest person, right?”

“Right.” Not sure what the captain’s point was, Linc waited for more.

“Then maybe she’s too forthright to recognize lies coming from those around her. I’ve known people like that. They have trouble seeing beyond the good and grasping the bad in others.”

“Naive, you mean?”

Sobering, the captain led the way into his office and gestured toward a leather chair. “Have a seat.”

“What about Star?”

“They’ll notify me when she’s ready for further examination. I want to talk about you for a minute.” He circled his desk, sat down, pushed aside a short stack of files and clasped his hands atop the blotter.

“Okay.” Given no other choice if he intended to see his K-9 soon, Linc eased into the chair Roark had indicated.

“Tell me about your combat experiences.”

“Whoa. Where did that come from?”

“I’m getting the idea that there’s more to your decision to stay single than you’ve admitted, that’s all. Would you like to talk about it?”

A wall immediately rose around Linc’s emotions. He knew he could refuse to discuss his past, and seriously considered doing so, yet there was something about Kyle Roark’s manner and voice that urged him to open up. If the captain had pressed him, he was positive he could have held out. Since Roark merely waited and seemed relaxed about it, he decided to reveal a little.

“I lost part of my unit in Afghanistan.”

A nod. “Understood.”

“We were acting on bad intel and walked into an ambush. I barely got out alive. Some of the guys didn’t.”

“Not your fault, was it?”

“Not directly. We’d been befriended by the most beautiful dark-eyed woman I’d ever seen. Even with her hair covered, she was a stunner.” Swallowing hard, he struggled to go on. “I wasn’t the only one who fell for her lies. She was easy to believe.”

“Again, that’s not your fault. I’m sure she was well trained in fooling the enemy.”

“Well, she was good at it. We followed her advice and walked right into a trap.”

“You can’t classify all women as liars because one tricked you. That’s a lousy reason to reject romance.”

“It’s not just her,” Linc countered. “It’s a lot of things. My dad was the best liar I’ve ever known. He had everybody convinced he was some kind of hero when he was anything but.”

“Sociopathic, maybe?”

“Maybe.” Getting to his feet, Linc began to pace. “Look, I appreciate your concern, Doc, really I do, but all I want to do is be the best at my job and handle the best dog. Star and my badge are all I need. Deeper involvement with a subject I’m assigned to watch would be idiotic.”

“So, how about somebody else?”

“Not interested.”

Chuckling, the veterinarian rose and followed Linc to the office door. All he said was “Uh-huh. That’s what I thought.”