by Dale Mayer
“I was tagged to help Troy on an upcoming training session.”
“That may have to get pushed back a few days,” the commander said. “We’ve got a really ugly weather front coming in, and, when I say ugly, I mean ugly. Nobody is going outside if it remains like that.”
“Wow,” Colton said. “I hadn’t expected that.”
“Nope, I don’t imagine you did. We’ve got a bunch of guys coming in early for the training too. But nobody will be training outside if that weather doesn’t lighten up. We’ll put them up for a few days, but, if need be, we’ll cancel the whole thing.”
Colton nodded. “I guess the supplies don’t last long if you’re multiplying your numbers and keeping the men inside.”
“We’re well supplied, and I don’t give a rat’s ass about the cost, but keeping you all out of trouble when you’re bored stiff is not my cup of tea,” he said. “I expect good behavior from everybody visiting my base.”
“Absolutely, sir.”
The commander stood and asked, “And what about her? What kind of trouble will she be?”
Colton jumped to his feet. “None, I believe, sir.”
“She already is,” the commander said with a grimace. “She’s young. She’s attractive, and she’s a pilot. My boys have already noticed. Believe me.”
“Speaking of which,” Colton said and then frowned, wondering if he should mention it.
The commander dropped back into his seat and said, “Speak up, son.”
“She had a visitor last night. And it wasn’t an invited visitor.” When he explained what happened, the commander’s brows drew together, thick and angry. “I sure hope you’re not accusing anybody of anything,” he said, his gaze slowly searching Colton’s.
“Not accusing anybody of anything, sir,” Colton said. “Only that somebody went into her room during the middle of the night and then took off running.”
“Interesting,” the commander said, staring around the room, his fingers thrumming on the table. “We’re a small base here. I run a tight ship and don’t tolerate anybody causing trouble.”
Colton knew the commander was referring to him. He nodded slowly. “Just thought I’d mention it, sir.”
“The only reason I’m even paying attention,” he said, “is because Mason spoke so highly of you.”
“Thank you, sir,” Colton said, realizing he would have to build trust with this man, and fast.
“If you hear of anything else happening, you let me know,” he said, “but don’t go talking to anybody.”
“Anybody?”
“No investigative work without my MPs involved.”
“Agreed,” Colton said. It was standard practice anywhere. The MPs had to be involved.
The commander gave him a hard look. But Colton stared back easily, comfortable with authority. You didn’t get anywhere in life if you didn’t get along with it somewhat. They had to know they could count on you. And, if there was one thing Colton prided himself on, it was being counted on.
The commander cleared his throat and asked, “Where is she?”
“Still sleeping,” Colton admitted. “She didn’t have a good night.”
“After a trauma like you three survived, I highly doubt anybody would. She probably needs to visit with our resident shrink.”
“I’ll tell her that when she wakes up.”
The commander snorted. “No. Have her come to me when she’s awake and had some breakfast. I’d like to see her condition for myself, and it won’t be optional. Make that an order.”
Colton understood. It was up to the base commander to keep the base and everyone on it safe. If she was traumatized, she would need help, and the sooner she received it, the better, for everyone’s sake.
He walked back to the mess hall. Breakfast was available, but he was more interested in coffee. He grabbed a cup for himself and walked over to the window and sat down. The day was still gray with lots of wind. He could see how the weather was heading for an ugly squall but didn’t know how long that would last. When somebody sat down at his table, he was surprised to be addressed personally.
“About time you got here, Colton,” a familiar voice said.
He turned, his eyes wide as he smiled and reached across, and the two men gripped forearms. “Damn, it’s good to see you, Troy,” he said. “I thought you weren’t in this early.”
“That’s my line,” Troy said with a chuckle. “When you come in for a hard landing, you come in for a hard landing.”
“Didn’t plan on the hard landing until that plane cracked apart, and we ended up in the Arctic Ocean,” Colton said.
“Yeah, so how are you doing?”
“I’m okay, just haven’t had much sleep. The copilot’s still sleeping, but she had nightmares throughout the night, and I just couldn’t sleep.”
“It’s pretty traumatizing,” Troy said. “Any idea what happened?”
“I think we’re leaning toward sabotage,” Colton said, “but it’ll be hard to do much about it from up here.”
“Not necessarily,” Troy said. “I understand you told Mason?”
“What you mean is, you’ve already talked to Mason,” Colton said with a chuckle.
“Well, I might have,” Troy said. “I came in early to ensure we had all the gear for the training. And then I asked if you could give me a hand with it. But apparently, according to the commander, as of this morning, it’s looking like the training may be pushed off a couple days, due to ugly weather.”
“I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” Colton said. “The longer I’m here, the more I’ll just think.”
“You’ll do what you can do from here. I’m sure the Coronado base is doing a full search, as is the Halifax base and the international airport.”
“I didn’t see anybody around the plane,” he said.
“Doesn’t mean it wasn’t put on in Coronado,” Troy said. “You also have to consider a remote detonation.”
Colton stared at him. “That’s a long way for a remote detonation.”
“Not if it was somebody else’s cell phone,” he said. “What if that phone—say your copilot’s—rang while you were up there? And maybe she answered it, and it triggered an alarm to blow up the plane?”
Colton froze. “You know what? I was sitting there, half dozing, and I did hear a phone. I don’t know how close to the engine blowing up that was though.”
“Everybody else is thinking a timer had to be on it maybe,” Troy said. “But I would think it’s much more likely that somebody called her number, or George’s, and, as soon as that phone rang, it triggered the bomb itself.”
“God, I should have thought of that already,” Colton said, shaking his head. “It’s just been so crazy that it hadn’t even crossed my mind.”
“That’s why I’m here to help,” Troy said, smiling broadly. “You know how much I love a good mystery.”
“Good thing,” Colton said, “because this one is looking a little too convoluted, or we’re just making it that way when it’s damn obvious.”
“I understand George is up as a witness against some of his coworkers.”
“Yes, we spoke of it a little, while I was keeping some fight in him in that icy water,” Colton said. “Damn, I should have asked the commander for an update on him. He might have an answer faster than Mason.”
“We’ll see the commander later,” Troy said. “We can always ask him then.”
Colton nodded. “I hear you. I was planning on taking coffee back to Kate, but the longer she sleeps, the better.”
“Kate, is it?”
“Yep,” Colton confirmed without saying anything. But he knew from the twinkle in Troy’s eye that Troy already knew. “Mason?”
Troy gave a casual shrug as he settled back, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Maybe,” he said. “But it wasn’t just the two of you at that big party that night all those years ago.”
“Shit,” Colton said. “Were you there too?”
“I was. I had my eye on her too, but she only saw you.”
“Well, considering that she’s tucked up in the top bunk above my bed right now, that night didn’t make too much of an impression.”
Colton kept to himself their discussion about why he’d never called because he didn’t have a good answer, except that some things you just knew were a minefield. As much as he’d wanted to stay and to be with her, it would have changed his life completely, and he just hadn’t been ready. He meant it when he had said it wasn’t the right time. That didn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t the right time for her, but it wasn’t the right time for him to have a relationship. He wondered if now was the better time.
Yet, when he looked back on it and thought about decisions he had made, sometimes he had to wonder where his head was that he would walk away from someone so gorgeous, kind and caring like her.
“She’s a really nice girl,” Troy said. “And, if the time is right for you guys now, that’s perfect.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Colton said. “It’s hardly anything that serious.”
“You’ve been through a hell of a bonding experience,” Troy said, chuckling. “So, breakfast first or do you want to go wake her?”
“She needs sleep.” Colton looked at the food, raised his nose tentatively and said, “Besides, the food is fresh and hot right now.” He looked at Troy. “You?”
“Absolutely. Come on. Let’s go.” And, with that, the two men walked toward the food line.
Chapter 6
Kate woke up in a haze of warmth, immediately aware of the aroma of coffee. Her eyes flew open to see a smiling Colton in front of her, holding a big mug of hot coffee.
“That better be for me,” she croaked. She cleared her throat and tried again with a smile this time. “And thank you.”
He chuckled. “I don’t know if you have a place up there to put this,” he said, studying the area and then shaking his head. “Better to have you get up and get dressed, or maybe sit up so you can hold it at least.”
“The only clothes I’ve got, I’m already wearing,” she said, but she shifted to lean crosswise against the wall and crossed her legs, pulling her blankets up. Then she reached out a hand for the mug. Colton stood on his bunk so he could hand it to her. As soon as the transfer was made, she sagged back and held it, eyes closed. “Nothing quite like hot coffee first thing in the morning,” she murmured, her eyes still closed as she let the warmth of the cup bathe her face.
“An interesting reaction,” he said. “First you were almost aggressive, and then, when you realized you were getting coffee,” he said, “you’re just like a sleepy kitten.”
“Unless you try to take it away from me,” she said and then laughed. “I do appreciate it, by the way.” She looked at him. “Have you eaten already too?”
He nodded. “At least an hour ago.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Did I miss breakfast?”
“I don’t think you missed it,” he said. “I think food should be available for at least another half hour.”
“Well, I better get up and moving so I get there in time.”
Colton thought about it for a moment and then said, “Maybe I can bring you a plate, if you want.”
“If you could, that would be really lovely.”
“Let me go see,” he said. “Every base has different rules.”
Kate nodded. “If you can’t, let me know, so I have enough time to get there, okay? But I really am still tired and so damn cold.”
“Stay there, and I’ll check it out.” He disappeared from in front of her, slipping quietly out the door. She waited, aware of the passage of time. She was still sleepy, but getting that warm coffee down was her priority. The fact that she even got to wake up today was something she was incredibly blessed to do, and she could only hope George had woken up too. She didn’t want to think about losing him. He was a good pilot and a good man.
He had done what was right, and, although some people wouldn’t agree with his choice, he was trying to do the right thing. Because military personnel using military flights for something like drug running wasn’t anyone they could ever count on. Those were the selfish users of the world, and every company—whether government, military, or large corporations—knew that was a cancer which had to be removed.
Just when she was nearing the bottom of her cup, the door opened, and Colton entered with a large tray. She stared at the food in delight. “Wow, it must have been okay then. Thanks!” She tossed back the last of her coffee and shifted into a better position. From that viewpoint, she realized Colton hadn’t come alone. “Hi, I’m Kate,” she said. “Who are you?”
“Troy Landry.” He reached out a hand and said, “I’d shake, but you’re a little far away.”
“Consider it shaken,” she said, as she leaned forward to grab the tray from Colton. “This looks absolutely wonderful.” She stared down at the food. “So did you pick up all this for the three of us, or have you both eaten?”
“We’ve both eaten,” Troy said, laughing. “So, if you think you can do justice to that, then go for it.”
Kate beamed at him. “I can do fair justice to it, and I’m so cold that I figure an extra bit of food wouldn’t hurt.”
“You need it,” Colton said. “So dig in.”
She nodded. “Will the coffee shut down too?”
Colton reached up a hand for her cup, and it took a little bit of maneuvering to not spill the tray, but she got the empty cup to him, and the two men disappeared again. She tucked right into the food, starting with sausages, bacon, eggs and toast. Pancakes were underneath as well. By the time the guys returned with a cup of coffee, they were joking back and forth, and her plate was half gone.
Colton looked at it and said, “I’m glad to see you’ve got an appetite.”
“More than I expected,” she mumbled, chewing a bite of toast. She stared at the coffee with longing. “If you can just find a place to put that for the moment, I’ll get to it soon.” He nodded, put it down and then held up two big cookies. Her eyes widened. “I can’t eat those.”
“I was thinking of later,” he said.
She smiled. “That sounds good. At least they won’t starve us up here.”
“No,” Colton said, “but the base commander does want to speak with you.”
Her stomach clenched tight at that, but she nodded. “To be expected. I do need to offer my appreciation for the assistance and care I’ve been shown.”
“That would be the prudent thing. By the way, he’s also a little touchy about any talk of sabotage.”
“But it wouldn’t have been done here,” she said, studying the two men.
“That brings up a question,” Colton said. “Just before the explosion, did either of you receive a phone call?”
Kate frowned, then thought back and nodded. “I’m not exactly sure of the timing, but I did get a call. Why?”
“Did you look at the Caller ID or answer the call?”
“Nobody was there. I think it was a private caller, but no one answered when I clicked on it.”
Troy looked at Colton and nodded.
“What does that mean?” she asked suspiciously.
“It means, the bomb could have been installed earlier,” Colton said, “but we think it was triggered by the phone call to you.”
She frowned. “What? Meaning, if I hadn’t answered, it wouldn’t have blown up?”
“No. It probably would have blown up regardless, maybe after a certain number of rings or even when voicemail kicked in, but the fact that you did pick it up meant it triggered the detonation when it did.”
Her mind churned on the possibilities. She swallowed hard. “Well, that sucks.”
“When people want to do something like this,” Troy said, “they do it and don’t leave much to chance.”
She nodded.
“There wasn’t much left to chance on this,” Colton said. “And there’s not much left out there to find.”
; “Will they do any recovery?” she asked.
“I doubt it because it was a small plane, and there won’t be much left,” Colton said, “but we can’t be sure about that. Still, it’s out of our hands.”
“It’s not like my cell phone is of any value now,” Kate said.
“I don’t even think that’s the issue as much as the fact that it’s debris they don’t want to leave everywhere.”
“That makes sense too,” she said. “It’s still sad though to hear it was a preset bomb.”
“It is,” Colton said. “But it could be much worse if, say, George’s body was out there too. Then they might consider a recovery operation.”
“Right,” she said.
“I would guess the commander also wants to get your first-hand impression of what happened.”
“Including the phone call?” she asked cautiously.
Troy frowned. And then he gave a clipped nod. “I would tell him. He’s not stupid. And, if it was sabotage, he’ll suspect a remote detonator as well.”
“How many people would have your number?” Colton asked.
Kate winced. “Dozens, if not hundreds,” she admitted. “I’ve had this number for a really long time.”
“It could get difficult then,” Colton said, “because I’m sure an investigation will involve everybody on your contact list.”
“Why?” she asked in confusion. “It said Unknown Number or Private Number of the like.”
“Which means it was probably a burner phone, but how many people could possibly know your number and not be on your contact list?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Anybody I work with and anybody my friends may have passed my number on to, although I’m fairly strict about that,” she admitted.
“That’s good to know,” Troy said. “The thing is, somebody had it, and somebody may have used it to blow up the plane.”
“What about George’s phone?” she asked, desperately trying to deflect interest from her phone. “There was no need for someone after George to use my phone.”
“What about your ex-boyfriend?” Colton asked. “George mentioned he’d made threats.”