He yelled to Kayla as he ran toward the bag. “Inside now. Get to the front of the house. Hurry.” He heard the movement of her chair as he ran to the bag. He’d been the demolition guy on their team. First, he called 911 and put his cell on speaker phone a distance from the thing that was ticking. He carefully opened the bag. When the operator came on, he explained about the bomb and that he’d try to disarm it. “I know how,” he said and crossed his fingers this one wouldn’t be a surprise. Very gently, he got the bag open enough to see how it was rigged. It appeared to be simple, probably done by an amateur, and it was set to go off in two minutes. Luckily, he seldom went anywhere without his most important tool.
In the distance, he heard a siren, but there was no time to wait for them. Very carefully, he cut one wire and then the next. He took a deep breath when he saw it disarm. A police car came sliding around the corner with another one following.
“Get away from the bag,” one policeman yelled as he jumped out with his gun in his hand.
Heath held up his hands. “I’ve disarmed it. We’re all safe.”
Still suspicious, the man yelled, “Why didn’t you wait for the bomb squad?”
“Because the damn thing only had two minutes left on the timer.” He put his hands down and walked over to pick up his cell phone. “Look, I’m a professional. I’ve been trained.”
“And you just happened to be at the right spot at the right time?”
Kayla came running around the curve from the front of the house. She’d apparently heard what the man said to Heath.
“He’s protecting me. We’re not sure if someone’s been stalking me or not until now, but I guess I was right and they are.”
Two other policemen walked up from the second car. “The bomb squad will be here in a second.”
“No need. This guy disarmed it.” He shrugged toward Heath. “He says it only had two minutes left on the clock.”
“Get back in the house,” Heath ordered.
“Why? I’m safe here with you and all these policemen.”
“Look, do you need me anymore?” Heath asked the police.
“Guess not. Write down your name and phone number in case we do.” The first policeman to arrive handed Heath a sheet of paper. “Thanks, for taking care of the bomb,” he said as Heath handed him back the paper with the information.
“Glad I was here at the right time.” He took Kayla’s arm and started walking her back around the corner.
“Did that guy say bomb?”
“Yes, while you slept I heard a noise, jumped the fence and saw the bag against the wall. That’s when I yelled for you to get inside.”
“Did you see who left it?”
“Didn’t get a good look. I had to take care of what was in the package.” He opened the front door and went in before Kayla. “Stay here while I check the rooms.” He was quick. “Come on in. I have to call Bear and let him know what happened. I’ve locked the back. No more going outside.
“Bear, it’s Heath. We were outside, heard a noise, and saw a man running to a car. He left a package with a bomb.”
Heath put the phone away from his ear. “She’s all right. I defused the damn thing before the cops got here. Yeah, I suspect she’d like to see you.” Heath glanced around. He walked to the hallway. “Her bedroom door is shut. I think having a meeting is a good idea. This isn’t just stalking. Someone wants to hurt Kayla.”
Chapter Seven
After talking with Captain Buchanan, Bear gathered the men from his team around him. He gave them a short description of what happened that day, and he told them about the stalking. A few already knew Kayla thought she was being followed.
“I’ve already explained to the captain and he’s given permission for us all to be off base at this time. We have to catch this guy or woman before Kayla, and the baby gets hurt or worse.” Bear clenched his hands and leaned forward. “We are not going to let this happen.”
“No way,” Marcel said. “And I’ll call Wolf. He and his men will want to help. You go on with the other guys. Wolf and I will talk to his captain about them assisting us.”
“Come on then,” Bear waved to his other men. You’ll all travel in our SUV’s. I can leave my truck in the driveway and whoever it is might not see us arrive.” Bear clicked on his phone and called Heath as they hurried to the vehicles. “Open the garage door. Then go into the kitchen and get the set of keys hanging by the door to the garage. Move my truck outside to make room for our vehicles. We’ll be there as quickly as possible. We’re leaving now.”
“Right, the garage will be ready for you.”
“We’ll use our real names. Kayla’s upset, and we don’t want her to have trouble remembering our nicknames.” They nodded, got in the vehicles and headed toward Bear’s home.
Bear drove one vehicle and Kijika, better known as Shadow, drove the other one. Dirk and Hawke joined Bear and Glenn rode in the other. Marcel would follow as soon as he could.
At one time or another Bear’s team had all been to his house, but not for anything like this. If I had any doubts left about how I feel regarding Kayla and the baby, I have none now.
He’d swear the drive was twice as long as usual. Bear kept an eye out for the SUV following. They arrived at the same time and quickly drove into the garage. Before Bear touched the down button to shut the garage door, it started closing. Heath had been watching and hit the control by the kitchen door.
“Heath, glad to see you.” Kijika put out his hand and the others followed.
“You guys head to my office. I’m going to check on Kayla, and I’ll be right there. Be thinking of plans.
Bear knocked, and then said, “Kayla, it’s me.”
The door flew open. Kayla flung herself against his body.
“Wow, honey. Everything will be all right.”
She pushed herself away from him. “No, it won’t. Did Heath tell you what happened? He’s wonderful. If he hadn’t heard the noise, I’m not sure what would have been the results.”
“I knew I was leaving you in good hands. I’ve brought my team here. We’re going to devise a plan to catch this person.”
“Do you have any clues?”
He started to fib but knew she’d find out. “Not any that we know of now, but I’m going to question Heath further. There may be something he noticed and hasn’t remembered.”
“I want to be part of the meeting.”
“No. It will upset you, and I want you to rest for your sake and our baby’s.”
“I am going to be part of this. It’s my life you’re talking about saving. I’m not one to whine and get upset, and neither is our baby.”
Bear grinned. “You think he or she is strong because we are?”
“Yes.”
“I like that idea. All right. It’s against my better judgment but come on.” He put his arm around her as they walked to the office.
After Bear introduced everyone, they discussed possible scenarios and tried to think who would want to hurt Kayla.
“I’ve never even had a really bad argument with anyone.”
“Could it be someone you dated before Jackson?”
“I hadn’t dated anyone for months, and my break-ups were pretty much mutual.” The doorbell rang and Kayla jumped. “Sorry, I’m a bit nervous.”
Bear checked to see who was at the door. He spoke through the speaker to his doorbell. “I’ll unlock the door, Marcel. You all can join us in my office.” He turned to the group. “Marcel’s here with Wolf and Caroline. Maybe they can help. More heads put together might come up with something.”
When she came in the room, Caroline headed straight to Kayla. “Are you, all right? We can sit in the living room and let you relax.”
“No, I insisted on being involved.”
“Then I’ll sit beside you.” Caroline sat and took her hand. “We’re all in this together.” She smiled at the men and greeted them.
Bear explained what they’d discussed. “I want Heath to
close his eyes and think back to what happened, but don’t concentrate on the bomb. Try to remember more about the vehicle and the person.”
“I’ll try, but I doubt it will help.” Heath closed his eyes.
Suddenly, Kayla got up and moved in front of Heath. One of the men moved her chair for her to sit. “Heath, hold my hands. I’m going to describe the morning and how we were sitting. You pick up whenever you want.”
Heath nodded, and she began. “It was a perfect weather day, not too hot or cool. You moved my chair under the tree for more protection from the sun and anyone snooping around. I closed my eyes, but I heard you move a chair close to me.”
“Yes, I remember thinking Bear had the best garden, beautiful and relaxing. The quiet moved through me, and I relaxed for the first time in months. I had to shake myself to keep from napping. Strange, because I never nap.
“Then I heard the slight noise. So soft, I almost ignored it, but wait I did hear a car. The engine was quiet. Instinctively, I jumped, ran, and got over the fence in one good try. The person had started toward the car, dressed in a long, flowing grey coat. I was torn between grabbing the culprit or going for the package. It was ticking, and I figured it was a bomb and didn’t know how much time we had.” He stopped for a moment and frowned, then he opened his eyes. “I’m almost certain it was a woman. The glimpse I had was of a slender face, not a hard man’s face. She wore boots, but they could have been for a man or a woman.”
“Good,” Bear said. “Close your eyes again.”
Heath nodded. “I ran to the bomb as the car started up, but I did glance back for a second.” He stopped talking and unconsciously squeezed Kayla’s hand. “It was a local tag. I saw a number and a letter, N and the number seven.” He opened his eyes. “And then I quickly defused the bomb. A simple one, thank goodness. Most people could easily get the information and make it. I think she wanted to cause confusion, knock down the wall, and grab Kayla.”
“The person didn’t know Kayla had protection,” Bear said. “Very good work. And we were lucky your skill is defusing bombs. I think you’re right, she wanted to get to Kayla.”
“But I don’t know any woman who hates me.”
“How about contacts through work that have been disagreeable lately or snapped at you? Any little thing that might not have gotten your attention at the time as being important.”
Kayla sat back and traced her steps since Jackson had returned home. That was when she started feeling like someone watched her. She sat forward and looked straight at Jackson. “It’s when I went to see you at the hospital. I got off the elevator and walked a few steps before a woman bumped into me on her way to the elevator. She gave me an angry look. Then after I spoke to the nurse, I looked her way again. The woman stood by the elevator door still glaring at me. I thought it strange, but worried more about seeing you and telling you the news.”
“The only woman who visited me that day was you. No, wait a moment, just before you arrived Damica came to see me. She’s called me so much I blocked her number. How she knew I was in the hospital is beyond me. As usual, she came to try and talk me into giving her another chance. I told her no, that I was in a serious relationship, and to back off.” Jackson shook his head. “I wasn’t very nice to her, and then she ran into Kayla. I’ll bet she heard Kayla ask to see me.”
“Oh, yes,” Kayla said. “The nurse spoke loud enough for her to hear.”
Dirk stood and walked around the room. Jackson smiled at Kayla. “We call Dirk, Ranger. He has to walk around when he’s in serious thought.”
“Whatever it takes,” Kayla said. “Go to it, Ranger.”
When Ranger stopped pacing, he faced Bear. “She’s not doing this alone. No, one but a few of the SEALs knew you were arriving that morning, and I don’t believe any of our guys ever saw her after you split with her.”
Taylor, better known as Hawke, actually blushed before he spoke up. “Gordy and I stopped at the restaurant near the hospital. I remember saying how happy I was to have my boss back. I didn’t use your name, and I didn’t see her.” He lowered his head. “But she might have been in a booth. Damn, I’m a jerk. This is all my fault,” he said and looked at Bear and Kayla.
“I’ll go turn in my resignation now.”
“No.” Kayla walked over to him and hugged him. “You are a good man, and I want you to be there when Jackson has to go on Missions. You didn’t leak a secret about a mission. You made a casual comment.”
“Ranger, walk around more and think about who can be helping her,” Bear said.
When Kayla sat, Bear kissed her cheek. “You did good, darling,” he whispered.
“Didn’t you have a guy who didn’t make it through training and for some reason blamed you. I remember telling you to watch your back,” Gordy spoke up.
“Yes, and I shrugged it off. By now Wheeler would normally have gone home to wherever he came from. I filled in for one of the instructors who was sick. Everyone passed the drill, but him. He said I didn’t like him and messed with the minute counter. The others told him that wasn’t true, but Wheeler gave me the bird and shoved me when he left.”
“I’d be surprised if he stayed around this long. But for now, we’ll assume he did, and he and Damica met up. I can see them coming up with this scheme,” Wolf said.
“Okay, now we suspect who, but how do we find them?” Bear asked.
“Caroline and I will go cook something while you all work,” Kayla said.
“We like pizza. Just order some from the nearest place with everything on it,” Bear said. “I have plenty of beer. You two can fix what you want to eat.”
While Kayla ordered the pizza, Caroline made them ham sandwiches and added potato chips to their plates. Once the men were settled with the pizza and beer, Kayla headed out to sit in the garden.
“I’m sure they won’t try to get me from the same place,” Kayla said.
“They might. You have to stay inside until our men can catch the ones after you.”
“I guess you’re right. But I’ll go crazy if I can’t at least go to work.” Kayla thought for a second and then stormed into the room. Bear and the others stopped eating and stared at her. “I need to be able to go to work. I’ll go crazy if I have to sit inside this house until you catch these people. I can’t even sit outside.” She frowned at Bear and put her hands on her hips. When he grinned, she stomped her foot. “What’s funny about any of this?”
Bear crossed the room, picked her up, and carried her to his bedroom where he sat her on the bed. Kneeling at her feet, he took hold of her hands. “I know this is difficult, but I don’t want to lose you or our baby. I have an idea since you mentioned work. Stay here and let me talk it over with my team and the others. If they agree we can do it, then I’ll have you and Caroline join us and make any suggestions that we may not have thought about.”
“All right. Meanwhile, I’m going to join Caroline in the living room and listen to music.”
He shook his head and pulled her up. Bear enveloped her in a hug and kissed her temple. “Tonight, and every night from now on, you will sleep with me. Even if you get mad and don’t want too. I promise to take good care of you and the baby. At least when we make love, we won’t have to worry about the condoms.”
Kayla smiled. “That’s true.”
****
Bear made certain Kayla joined Caroline in the family room. “Stay here. I’ll let you know what the guys think of my idea and then call you in to join us.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll behave,” Kayla said and winked.
He strode down the hall and joined his men. “Something Kayla said gave me an idea.” Bear sat beside Wolf. “She wants to return to work. What if we have her go to work with Heath to protect her. It will look like he’s the only one guarding Kayla. I’ll leave as though going to the base, but once I’m sure no one is following me I’ll circle around and stay outside her office building watching for anyone acting strangely.”
“Hell, they�
��ll wait until Heath or any bodyguard appears to stop guarding her before doing anything,” Wolf said.
“Yes, but if Heath comes out back to smoke, our enemy will think it’s a good time to strike.”
Wolf laughed. “Fuck yes, but I’d think jackass, might suspect a trap.”
“Either way, Kayla will be safe. If they don’t take the bait, we’ll try a different plan. If everyone agrees, I’ll call Kayla in and see what she has to say.”
Wolf stood. “I’ll get her, and then I can check on my wife.”
“See what you’re getting into Bear. Soon you’ll have a wife leading you around by the nose,” Dirk said.
Wolf glowered and stomped across the room. He leaned down. “Want to repeat that statement?”
“No, Sir.”
“I didn’t think so. I may be five years older, but experience counts. I’d mess up this nice rug of Bear’s dragging you from one end to the other.” Wolf gave him his evil smile and walked out.
“Shit man, you really fucked up. You’re new, but you’d better be a fast learner,” Gordy said.
****
Kayla left Caroline and Wolf to join the others. She entered the room and sat by Bear. “I hear you have a plan.”
“If you agree, Kayla. It might place you in a bit of danger, but not for long because I’ll be right there hidden.” Bear explained the plan.
“You want me to go back to work, and you’ll put this plan in place?”
“What do you think?” Bear asked.
“I love it. I want to get this over with as soon as possible.”
“Then back to work Monday with Heath appearing to be your only protector.” Bear glanced around the room. “Any comments?”
“No, we’d better leave and check in with Captain Buchanan,” Gordy said.
“Thanks everyone. I’ll call the captain and explain the plan,” Bear said as he and Kayla saw them out. Wolf and Caroline left last.
“I’ll see if our team can help if needed,” Wolf said.
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 9
