Bound by Duty

by Valerie Hansen

  Zoe mirrored his smile, but there was a poignancy in her eyes that made them glisten. Seconds later, she dropped her gaze to her plate and simply said, “Yes.”

  “Captain Roark says I may be able to take Star home with me tonight. Tomorrow at the latest.”

  “Good.”

  “Sergeant James is going to assign one of our female Security Forces members to your watch tonight. If I were you, I’d invite her in and let her crash on the couch. Her dog will alert if anybody approaches.”

  “Okay.”

  One-word answers were unlike Zoe, and her mental state had him worried. “Look. I know you say you’re fine, but I’m not sure that’s completely true. Talk to me. Tell me what’s bothering you. I really do want to help.”

  She laid aside her fork and blotted her lips with a napkin before answering. “I know that. I just feel overwhelmed. So much has happened lately, and we have so few clues. It’s as though I’m stuck in a flat spin at ten thousand feet and can’t pull my aircraft out of it before I crash.”

  “You won’t crash.”

  “How do you know? How can anybody be sure?”

  Linc sighed. “Well, for one thing, we’ve got reports that your brother has been seen—”

  “Stop.” Teary-eyed, she held up a hand, palm toward him. “Stop calling him my brother, okay?”

  “What should I call him?”

  “I don’t care. Call him Boyd or the Red Rose Killer or abbreviate it to RRK the way I’ve heard other law enforcement officers do. Just stop reminding me we’re related. Please.”

  “All right. I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would be a problem.”

  “Normally, it isn’t.” She sniffed and touched her napkin to her cheek where tears had begun to dampen it. “It’s everything together. The attacks on me, the shooting I saw that left no trace, the—” Her eyes widened. “That’s it! That’s our answer.”

  “What is?”

  “Fake blood. Like in my apartment. Your CSIs were using a blue light to look for the real thing in that warehouse bay. Nobody thought to check it for what that stuff in my apartment was made of.”

  “Whoa.” Linc sat back in his chair. “You’re right. I don’t suppose there are traces of it left by now, even if there were drops in the first place, but I’ll mention it to Captain Blackwood. Matter of fact, I’ll do it right now. Wait here.”

  Zoe started to rise when he pulled out his cell and started for the door, so Linc repeated, “Wait here for me. I’ll be right outside where I can see you.”

  He could tell she wanted to argue. To stay close to him. And although he knew that making the call in a crowded dining room wasn’t smart, he was sorely tempted to do it anyway. Seeing Zoe’s shoulders finally relax, he smiled back at her. “Thanks. This won’t take a minute.”

  After wending his way between tables, Linc stepped outside as he was connecting. “Captain Blackwood. This is Colson. I’m still with Sergeant Sullivan and in view of what was involved in this morning’s incident at her apartment, we were wondering if that same artificial blood could have been used in the shooting she witnessed at the warehouse.”

  Silence on the line worried Linc until he heard his captain clear his throat. “You may be right. It’d be hard to tell at this point, though.”

  “It doesn’t leave trace evidence?”

  “Not that remains discernible. What we collected this morning was a homemade concoction instead of one of the professional brands the movies use. That kind lights up when we spray luminal. This stuff was made of food you’d find in most kitchen cupboards, as I said. Anything that landed on the ground outside was probably eaten by insects almost immediately.”

  “Hmm. Too bad. Zoe’s going to be disappointed.”

  Blackwood’s voice rose. “What did you say?”

  “Sergeant Sullivan will be disappointed.”

  “No. You called her by her first name, Colson. I hope you remember that you are with her as a duty assignment.”

  “Yes, sir. Of course, Captain. It’s just that—”

  He was cut off. “No excuses. I know Master Sergeant James suggested that you befriend her, but that doesn’t mean you should actually become personally involved. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir. Crystal clear.” And almost totally unacceptable, Linc added to himself. Personally involved? Oh, yeah. It was already too late to prevent that. So how was he going to obey orders and still guard Zoe to the degree necessary?

  That was a good question. Too bad he didn’t have a good answer. Linc clenched his jaw muscles. He not only did not have a feasible idea, he didn’t even have a poor one.

  Turning on his heel, he straight-armed the restaurant door and returned to Zoe. Yes, Zoe, he affirmed. He’d have to take care to use her rank and last name when speaking to others, but in private, she was going to be Zoe.

  Besides, he added, feeling his cheeks warming as their eyes met, he liked her, and Zoe was what he wanted to call her. What he would call her.

  Linc smiled, rejoined her to report on the call and once again began to eat. The meal was cool and less appetizing than it had been but he was determined to finish so his companion would, too. She’d been picking at her food and he wanted her to keep up her energy.

  “How about dessert?” Linc asked when she failed to follow his example.

  Zoe shook her head and gave him a fond look that practically melted his heart. Why did he care so much? What in the world was wrong with him? Here he was, ready to defy a direct order and actually desiring chances to do so. That was more than stupid. It was insane.

  Looking for a suitable diversion, Linc waved their waitress over.

  “More sweet tea?” the young woman asked.

  “Not for me. Zoe?”

  “No, thanks.” She sat back and pushed her plate away. “I’m finished.”

  “Then we’ll have three slices of apple pie to go,” he said. “And the bill.”

  “You remembered Freddy,” Zoe said softly.

  “Of course, I did. How could I forget Star’s little buddy? I should have asked you if it was okay, though. Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize. It’s more than okay,” Zoe told him. “Way more. You’d be surprised how many adults overlook children.”

  “Your son’s hard to overlook,” Linc quipped. “He’s a really special little guy.”

  The expression on Zoe’s face made him wonder how he had upset her. She’d seemed a tad down in the dumps during their meal, but now she looked as if she might cry. Should he ask? Or should he go on as if he hadn’t noticed?

  Linc opted for the latter. He stood up and dropped a tip on the table. “We can settle up and get the pie at the register,” he said. “Come on. It’s time we checked in on Star again.”

  With a protective hand at her waist, he ushered her through the restaurant. The urge to keep her close was almost as strong as his determination to use her first name. Worse, he wasn’t merely thinking of her as Zoe, he was seeing her as his Zoe. And there was no way he could talk himself out of it.

  * * *

  Seeing Star being her old self again made Zoe happy, but that was nothing compared to Linc’s reaction. He was so overjoyed he was grinning from ear to ear. The exuberant dog obviously felt the same, because she was doing her version of the Texas two-step at his feet.

  Zoe laughed. “I think she’s happy to see you.”

  “Yeah.” He tousled the recovered K-9’s ears and laughed at her antics. “Something tells me she’s ready to go back to work.”

  “Won’t she be scared of being hurt again?” Zoe asked.

  Captain Roark agreed. “Good point. How about a short retraining session? I’m sure we can find a volunteer to wear the bite sleeve.”

  “I’d rather send her after the real thing, but you’re right. It would be a good idea. I’ll check in with Caleb
Streeter at the training center and set it up.” He continued to pet the excited dog. “You sure she’s ready for that much running this soon?”

  “Absolutely.” Roark smiled at Zoe. “And I owe you a puppy therapy session.”

  Although the idea appealed, she demurred. “Can I get a rain check? I’d rather come with my son and he’s in day care during the week.”

  “Absolutely. Just let me know when you want to visit and I’ll see that you and your son get the full tour.”

  “Thanks.” Glancing at Linc, she couldn’t help smiling. “I think they’re glad to be back together.”

  “True. How are things going for you?”

  She was touched that someone else was expressing concern. “Pretty good, considering. I still feel terrible that Star was hurt on my behalf.”

  “They’re working dogs,” Roark said. “We train for all branches of the military, as you probably know. Our K-9s are expected to do their jobs regardless of danger or injury.”

  “That sounds like the description of a human soldier.”

  Smiling, the vet agreed. “You’re right. And we retire them after their working days are over, too. In fact, I’m waiting for one special case to be returned from overseas so I can check the dog’s health and see if he’s suitable for adoption, but there have been complications.”

  Linc straightened, still smiling broadly. “Sounds like the dog Isaac Goddard’s been trying to adopt. Has there been any word?”

  “Yes,” Roark said. “Isaac was notified that Beacon had been cleared to return to the States, but there was an enemy attack on the base over there that damaged the kennels and the dog escaped. It’s a crying shame. Isaac is having a really hard time dealing with the fact that Beacon may never be found and sent home.”

  “I understand exactly how he feels.” Linc’s hand was resting on Star’s broad head.

  Zoe smiled at both men. “I can see how important all the dogs are to you. I suppose it’s inevitable that you’d get particularly attached to individual animals. I’m glad you get to adopt the retirees.”

  “Most of them qualify,” Roark explained. “There’s even a website where civilians can apply to adopt one of our dogs. There’s a long waiting list, though, and strict requirements. The dog’s handler gets first dibs.”

  She looked to Linc and Star. “Are you planning on keeping her if you can?”

  “Absolutely. But it’s going to be years before she’s put out to pasture. We have a lot of work to do before that.”

  “Yes,” Zoe said, “like capturing the Red Rose Killer and figuring out who has been making my life miserable.” She heard a tiny gasp from behind her and turned. It was the vet tech who had taken care of Star when she first arrived, Airman Fielding.

  Zoe easily identified with the fear she glimpsed in the young woman’s eyes and offered solace. “Don’t worry about the Red Rose Killer. I’m sure he’d have no reason to bother you, unless you dated him or crossed him somehow.”

  “I never met him,” Fielding said. “Excuse me. I have patients to check.”

  Linc’s brow was furrowed when Zoe looked to him and said, “She seems frightened.”

  Captain Roark agreed. “Rachel’s always been kind of sensitive. Working here, surrounded by animals, is a perfect placement for her. Believe me, she’s a lot calmer than she used to be.”

  “Good to hear,” Zoe said. “If she were in one of my flight classes, I’m afraid she’d wash out quickly.”

  “Speaking of that, any word on when you can go back to work?” the vet asked.

  “Nope. None.” Smiling at Star, she added, “So for the time being, I’ll be Star’s volunteer sidekick. I can brush her and get her dog bones and...”

  Linc was laughing when he held up a hand. “Whoa. That’s my job. Sorry. How about you just try to stay out of trouble from now on and give us all a break?”

  Eyes rolling, Zoe chuckled, too. “That, Sergeant Colson, is my fondest wish. From your mouth to God’s ears, as they say here in the South.”

  Although he didn’t stop smiling, he did say, “I doubt I have much influence on Him.”

  “You’d be surprised,” Zoe countered. “God loves everybody who believes in Him. Even stubborn, hardheaded guys like you.”

  That made Roark laugh, too. “Look out, Colson. I think she’s got you pegged.”

  Although Linc made a face at them both, Zoe thought she glimpsed a flicker of recognition, a spark of truth. She knew he didn’t have to fully accept all his losses, in Afghanistan and before. He simply had to let go of his guilt and anger and hand it all over to his heavenly Father.

  As I have to do regarding Boyd, she added to herself, knowing she was right. It wasn’t the understanding she lacked, it was the will to act, the strength to forgive. And the faith to trust so completely that she was able to release her wounded spirit into the care of a loving God.

  That wasn’t the same as worshipping on Sunday morning. It went much, much deeper.

  SIXTEEN

  “I need to step next door and check in with my bosses before we do anything else,” Linc said.

  Zoe didn’t mind. She shrugged and smiled. “Fine with me. As you can see, I’m free.”

  He started off, Star at his side, and Zoe followed. “So, what are you planning for later?”

  “Don’t know yet. We have several options. I want to ask if the techs found any traces of syrup on the floor of the warehouse.”

  “Unlikely, I’m afraid.”

  “Probably. But I asked them to look just the same.”

  “Thanks. I can’t believe I fell for the ruse.” She kept walking but paused the conversation before adding, “If it really was a trick.”

  “Let’s assume it was. That leaves us with fewer suspects.”

  “How so?”

  “If the same theatrical blood was used, that will combine two of the incidents.”

  “Makes sense.” She followed Linc and Star to Captain Blackwood’s open office door. Linc knocked on the jamb.

  Justin Blackwood stood behind his desk and Zoe saluted, as did Linc.

  “I see Star is back in service. Good to know.”

  “Yes, sir. Since Sergeant Sullivan is free to move around the base, I wondered if you had anything we might handle together.”

  “Such as?”

  Zoe could tell Blackwood wasn’t thrilled with Linc’s suggestion, but as far as she was concerned, it made perfect sense. She cleared her throat. “Excuse me, sir. If I may? Since the Red Rose Killer is very familiar to me, it makes sense to send me out in the field with one of your Security people. My chances of spotting him in a crowd are far better than anyone else’s.”

  The captain nodded slightly, acting as if he was at least considering her views. “There is some logic to your suggestion, Sullivan. I assume that wherever you go you’re on alert for any sign of your brother.”

  Zoe tried not to cringe at the familial reference. “Yes, sir. The RRK is always on my mind. So is whoever has been harassing me. I don’t think my case is related to the serial killings. At least I hope it isn’t.”

  Blackwood shuffled papers on his desk and selected one. “I have a report from Yvette Crenville. She’s accusing Jim Ahern of bothering her again.”

  “Yes, sir,” Linc said. “We visited him at work at the airfield earlier today.”

  “And?”

  “He seems pretty full of himself but mostly hot air,” Linc replied. “What I’d like to do is check on some of the possible suspects in Sergeant Sullivan’s repeated attacks. There have been too many to chalk them up to chance.”

  “Agreed. Having a motive would help. Any ideas, Sergeant?” he asked, giving Zoe a piercing look.

  “Not really, sir. Sergeant Colson and I made a list. Once we’ve compared duty assignments to the times of the incidents, we should be able
to eliminate quite a few suspects.”

  “Then get to it. I’ll bring in someone to assist you with the computer details if you want.” The captain glanced at another list. “Airman McNally is available.” He keyed his intercom. “Send McNally to my office.”

  Zoe didn’t want her problems spread all over the base due to additional exposure, so she gently objected to the suggestion. “I think Colson and I can handle it by ourselves, sir. Once we have access to individual records, it should be easy.”

  A sharp knock against the open door caused Zoe to pivot. The airman was not only a woman, she was young, lithe and had her hair pulled tightly back into a coil, the same way Zoe wore hers when she was working. That wasn’t what made Zoe take a quick involuntary breath however. It was the airman’s hair color. McNally was a redhead!

  Had Linc made the connection yet? Zoe wondered. If he gave in and let his captain assign this woman to their project, there was no telling what might happen. Yes, she was undoubtedly not the only female on base who had red hair. But the coincidence was bothersome.

  Swaying slightly, Zoe felt Linc’s hand at her back, his touch barely there yet supportive. She chanced a sidelong glance and saw that their minds were in sync. Raising her chin a mere millimeter and hoping no one but Linc noticed, she turned the motion into a slow, purposeful nod. The narrowing of his eyes indicated comprehension.

  “Thank you anyway, Captain,” he said. “Sullivan and I can manage.”

  “Then you’re excused,” Blackwood told the assistant.

  “One thing before I go, sir?” McNally waited.

  Although the redheaded airman seemed to be ignoring her, Zoe was certain she was picking up bad vibes. Either that or her overactive imagination was blaming an innocent party, which was also possible.

  Blackwood nodded. “Go ahead.”

  “It’s that blogger, sir. He’s already posted info about the attack on Sergeant Colson’s dog and reported that the K-9 is sidelined.”

  Meaning everybody at CAFB is already privy to my problems, Zoe thought, chagrined. Terrific.