Military K-9 Unit Christmas: Christmas Escape ; Yuletide Target

by Valerie Hansen

  A cold fist squeezed her heart and she nodded. “I know. I believe God was watching over both of us tonight.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  “Captain, may I ask a few questions?” Sean asked, pulling out his notebook.

  Dr. Roark frowned. “It’s the middle of the night. Can this wait until morning?”

  “I understand. How about just one statement from you verifying that Jacey’s K-9, Greta, was indeed poisoned by antifreeze.”

  The vet hesitated. “I can’t say that with absolute certainty at this time. Jacey was the one who noticed the antifreeze—I simply treated Greta accordingly. She does have kidney failure, which is a key finding in antifreeze poisoning, but testing for ethylene glycol isn’t as simple as doing a toxicology screen—it’s far more complicated. At this point, all I’m willing to say is that it appears Greta was poisoned.”

  Jacey couldn’t believe what the vet was saying. No way to prove for sure? No way to tell with absolute certainty that Greta was poisoned with antifreeze?

  How was it possible? She couldn’t bear to think about the person who’d tried to kill Greta actually getting away with it.

  “But there is a blood test that can be done to prove it, right?” Sean pressed.

  Captain Roark nodded. “There is, and I have drawn a sample, but need to send it out to the San Antonio crime lab for further analysis.”

  “I totally agree.” Sean closed his notebook and stuffed it back in his pocket. “In fact, I’ll swing by in the morning to pick it up to take it personally, if that’s okay.”

  “Fine with me.” Captain Roark yawned. “Good night.”

  “Good night.” Jacey forced the words past her tight throat. She released Sean’s hand and blindly turned toward the door.

  “Jacey.” Sean’s voice was low and husky as he caught her arm. “Don’t give up hope, okay? We’ll prove what happened here.”

  “You can’t be sure of that.” She wrenched away, pushed open the door and stepped out into the frigid night air. Not only was she forced to return to her apartment alone, but there was once again the chance that her version of what happened to Greta wouldn’t be deemed credible.

  It was as if everything that had transpired with the lieutenant colonel was happening all over again.

  And she couldn’t help wondering if she wouldn’t be better off leaving the air force for good.

  * * *

  Sean hated seeing Jacey so upset. He hurried to catch up with her, determined not to let her go anywhere alone.

  “Jacey, wait.” His sharp tone made her pause and glance at him over her shoulder. “We need a game plan.”

  “What are you talking about?” she asked impatiently. “There’s nothing more to be done at zero two thirty in the morning.”

  “If you were followed into the kennel tonight, which is likely since we know someone cleaned up the antifreeze after you left, it’s not safe for you to go back to your apartment.” He took her elbow in his hand and steered her straight down Canyon, toward the small parking lot where he’d left his car. “You need to stay somewhere off base tonight.”

  “No, I don’t.” She dug in her heels. “It’s too far away and I have to be at the training center first thing so I can explain all of this to my boss.”

  “You can do that over the phone,” he insisted. “Are you willing to put the other K-9s in harm’s way?”

  That caused her to whirl around to stare at him. “You think my presence alone puts them in danger?”

  He sighed, unwilling to lie to her. “I don’t know—it’s not likely. There are a lot of staff around, especially during the daytime hours. Still, why not call off sick for the day until we have a handle on what happened here?”

  It was clear she didn’t like that suggestion.

  “Listen, my car is parked just up the block. Let’s just get off base and find a motel room. If you won’t take off the whole day, at least tell your boss that you’ll be in later, say around noon.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “But I’m not sick.”

  “No, but you were almost run over by a truck.” Her stubbornness was starting to annoy him. “One late start isn’t going to be the end of the world. I’m sure your boss will understand.”

  Her shoulders slumped as if she were abruptly slammed with a wave of exhaustion. “Okay, fine. But you’re coming with me to talk to Westley. He’ll want to know what you and your team are going to do to ensure the safety of all the K-9s. This is the last thing he needs right now, considering everything Boyd Sullivan did while sneaking on and off base. Boyd wasn’t just the Red Rose Killer—he let all the dogs loose, along with attacking and killing personnel he’d targeted with a red rose. Not to mention killing people who simply got in his way. After months of havoc, Westley wants things to return to normal, especially with the upcoming Christmas holiday.”

  Sean nodded, relieved she’d finally given in. “Not a problem.”

  There was a lot of work he needed to do on Jacey’s case. Two reports still had to be filed, one on the truck collision and the other on Greta’s possible poisoning. Not to mention bringing his boss up to speed on everything that had transpired.

  Lastly, he wanted to get copies of the other reports Jacey had filed with Senior Airman Bill Ullman.

  Sean wanted to dig into the case immediately, but knew that he needed to start with a phone call to his boss first thing in the morning.

  Right now, Jacey’s safety was his only priority.

  As they approached the parking lot, he slowed his steps, realizing that several of the streetlights were out.

  The tiny hairs on the back of his neck lifted in warning. He reached for Jacey’s arm and tugged her close. “I don’t like this,” he muttered. “The two lights on either side of the parking lot were working earlier. Now they’re both out?”

  “Maybe we should return to the apartment,” Jacey whispered.

  He wasn’t keen on that idea, especially if they were being followed. “After everything that’s transpired, I think getting off base is the better option.”

  The muffled sound of gunfire echoed through the night, followed by a burning sensation along his upper arm. Reacting instinctively, Sean grabbed Jacey and yanked her over toward the closest vehicle, dropped to the ground and used it for cover.

  “Are you hit?” he asked anxiously.

  “No. You?”

  “I’m good.” His arm felt like it was on fire, but he knew it was little more than a flesh wound. He looked around, trying to figure out which direction the gunshots had come from. Not directly in front of them, maybe to the north east? Using his body to shield Jacey, he fumbled for his phone, desperate to get backup to their location, now.

  If the shooter had night-vision goggles, they were sitting ducks out here.

  The next couple of moments could very well be their last.

  FOUR

  For the second time in a matter of hours, Jacey felt the rough asphalt against the palms of her hands. She held her breath, her heart thudding in her chest as fear cloaked her. What was going on? Sean had her pressed against the ground, his body covering hers. She listened as he spoke to the dispatcher, requesting backup to the parking lot near the south gate because of a shooter in the area.

  Shooter? Gunshots? The sounds hadn’t seemed loud enough for gunfire. While deployed in Afghanistan she’d heard plenty, all of it loud enough to make her ears ring for hours afterward.

  “Backup is on the way,” Sean said, his voice low and husky near her ear.

  “You’re sure someone was shooting at us?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I believe the gunman used a silencer.”

  Hearing the grim determination in Sean’s tone made her stomach twist painfully.

  Sean was in danger now, too. Because he believed in her.

  She hated knowing that she�
��d dragged him into her mess. Was this really all because she’d reported the lieutenant colonel?

  It was hard to comprehend why someone on base cared enough about her allegation to try to kill her. That someone hated her enough to risk taking a Special Forces cop down, too.

  “Do you think the shooter is gone?” she whispered.

  “No idea, but we’re staying put.” The wail of sirens echoed through the night. Jacey thought that if the perp hadn’t left by now, he or she no doubt would after hearing proof that help was on the way. “Once we have the scene secured, we’ll look for evidence. I’m sure there are shell casings or bullets somewhere.”

  She nodded, wishing Greta was here. Her K-9 partner had a great nose for finding the scent of gunpowder. Bombs were her specialty, but during training sessions, Jacey had tested Greta with bullets, as well. Greta had been incredibly accurate with even the smallest-size bullet, like those from a 0.22.

  Red-and-blue flashing lights grew bright as additional Special Forces cops arrived. Sean didn’t let her up, though, until they were approached by two cops holding their weapons at the ready.

  “Staff Sergeant Morris?” one of them asked. “You reported two gunshots?”

  “Yes, I did.” Sean straightened and then held out his hand to help her up. “This is Senior Airman Jacey Burke.”

  “Staff Sergeant Cronin,” the cop introduced himself. “What happened?”

  “This is the third attempt to harm Senior Airman Burke in less than eight hours.” Sean’s voice was terse. “Earlier tonight someone shoved her in front of a truck, then her K-9 partner, Greta, was poisoned with antifreeze. I was planning to take her off base when I realized the two streetlights were out over the parking lot where I left my car.”

  Staff Sergeant Cronin glanced up to see for himself, and frowned.

  “I suspected something was wrong,” Sean continued, “but before we could move, I heard gunfire and felt a bite of pain along my upper arm. We dove for cover and called it in.”

  “You’re hit?” Jacey brushed her hand along the side of his shoulder, appalled to find her fingers wet and sticky with blood. “Why didn’t you say something?”

  “I’m fine.” Sean brushed off her concern. “The gunman used a silencer. I heard two distinct shots before I was hit. They came in from the northeast. We need to search the area, find the spent shell casings or bullet fragments.”

  “We’ll take a look around,” Staff Sergeant Cronin promised. “I’ll call the EMTs over to provide medical attention.”

  “Don’t bother,” Sean said at the same time Jacey replied, “Yes, that would be good.”

  Staff Sergeant Cronin nodded at Jacey. “I agree with Senior Airman Burke. That wound needs attention.”

  “My arm doesn’t matter—getting Senior Airman Burke to safety does.”

  “You’ll both be safe enough in the ER for a while.” The staff sergeant wasn’t taking no for an answer. “You should call Master Sergeant Hanover to let him know what’s happened. I’ll get the EMTs over here.”

  “Your turn to make sure this gets documented by the ER doctors,” Jacey murmured. It was a lame attempt at a joke.

  “I guess.” Sean didn’t look happy.

  Twenty minutes later, they were in a different ER cubicle. Ironically, the same ER doctor, Captain Grant Simons, came in to examine Sean’s wound. The skin was furrowed where the bullet had skimmed by, and staring at it made Jacey feel sick at how close she’d come to losing Sean. A few inches more, and he’d be lying on an operating-room table, or worse.

  Jacey took a seat in the corner of the room and dropped her head into her hands. Then she lifted her heart in prayer.

  Heavenly Father, thank You for sparing Sean’s life, and I ask that You please continue to keep us safe. Please help Greta heal from her ordeal, too. Amen.

  Another thirty minutes passed before a nurse came in to clean the wound and bandage it. Sean never uttered a complaint, even though she knew the jagged wound running across his biceps had to hurt.

  At nearly five in the morning, Sean was officially discharged from care. They were getting ready to leave when Sean’s phone rang. He pulled it out and grimaced. “My boss returning my earlier call,” he said, before answering. “This is Staff Sergeant Morris.”

  Jacey wished she could hear the other side of the conversation.

  “Yes, sir, I’m fine but Senior Airman Jacey Burke was the real target here and I need a safe place to go for the next few days. We both live in apartment housing and that’s not secure enough.”

  Jacey didn’t believe she was the shooter’s only target; Sean had been the one injured, not her.

  “A motel is one option. I may have another one. I’ll keep you posted.” He disconnected from the call and looked at Jacey. “I’m going to see if there’s a vacant house we can use for a week or so.”

  “I thought base housing was only for officers and difficult to get?”

  “It is, but I happen to know of a place where a family moved out rather unexpectedly. I know it will get reassigned, but I’m hoping we can use it for a limited time.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “You just happen to know this?”

  “Yeah. I, uh, looked into alternative housing options when you refused to go off base to a motel.”

  She nodded, understanding his concern. If there was a house available to use, they should jump on it. It was far more preferable than a motel off base.

  Sean made two more quick calls, then returned to her side. “Everything is all set. We can use the place for five days. Ready to go?” Sean asked, shrugging into his jacket. The sleeve had a rip in it where the bullet had torn through.

  “Yes.” She rose to her feet, feeling exhausted. “I need to shower and change before returning to the training center to talk to my boss about Greta.”

  “We’ll take a cab to the apartment to pick up a few things, then grab a different cab to head over to pick up the key and take us to the house,” Sean said. “I want to be certain we’re not followed.”

  “All right,” she agreed. “Let’s go.”

  Jacey couldn’t relax during the cab ride to the apartment complex. Sean sat sideways in his seat so he could keep an eye on the road behind them. Even at 0500 hours, Canyon Air Force Base had come to life. Military personnel started work early.

  “Is there anyone behind us?” she asked.

  “Too many,” he replied glumly. He tapped the cab driver on the shoulder. “Will you circle the block?”

  The cabbie shrugged. “It’s your dime.”

  Jacey breathed easier once they managed to get into her apartment without incident. Sean waited for her in the living room, giving her time to shower and change. She quickly packed a bag, then rejoined him in the living room. “I’m set.”

  “Good.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and she knew he was troubled by the back-to-back incidents from that night. “My turn.”

  They used the side exit, avoiding the main areas, to walk over to Sean’s building. He couldn’t get his dressing wet, so he simply changed his clothes and packed a bag. He wore his official uniform, complete with the blue beret, and a wide utility belt that held a holster for his gun.

  She thought he was handsome before, but wearing his full uniform he stole her breath.

  Doing her best to hide her reaction, she kept her gaze averted as a different cabbie drove them to the small house off Webster, not far from the base apartment-housing complex. She could see the apartment building from the front window.

  “Let me know when you’re ready to head over to the training center,” Sean said. “I’d like to talk to the staff who were on duty over the past twenty-four hours, see if they noticed anything unusual.”

  “Uh, sure. I’m ready.” Jacey abruptly realized just how much time she and Sean would be spending together. He’d been nothing but profes
sional, but ever since she’d seen the wound on his arm up close, not to mention seeing him in his full uniform, she’d found herself getting emotionally involved on a personal level.

  She’d had a crush on him ten years ago, but that was then. This was now.

  Best to figure out how to rein in her feelings before she made a complete and utter fool of herself.

  * * *

  Sean sensed Jacey was on edge as they took a third taxi to the training center.

  “This is going to get expensive,” Jacey muttered as he paid the fare.

  She was right, but there wasn’t anything he could do to change that right now. He didn’t dare use his personal vehicle, but planned to sign out a jeep from the base motor pool.

  “Did you call your master sergeant?” he asked as they entered the facility.

  “Not since I left him a message about Greta’s condition, but I’m sure he’s looking for me.” She led the way to the office area. “I hope he doesn’t blame me for this.”

  “He won’t,” Sean said in an attempt to reassure her.

  Jacey didn’t look convinced, and knocked sharply on the door of the corner office.

  “Come in.”

  Jacey grimaced and opened the door. She went in first and, while saluting wasn’t required, stood at attention. Sean did the same, waiting until Master Sergeant James told them to stand at ease before relaxing.

  “Take a seat. What happened, Jacey?” Master Sergeant James asked, his expression full of concern.

  Sean listened as Jacey repeated the events surrounding Greta’s poisoning. When he sensed she was going to leave it there, he interrupted.

  “Sir? If I may interject here—” he paused and waited for Westley to nod “—there have been two attempts against Jacey over the last twenty-four hours along with the attack on her K-9 partner.”

  “Who are you?”

  Oops. “Staff Sergeant Sean Morris with Special Forces, sir. I came to offer first aid to Senior Airman Burke after she was pushed into the path of an oncoming vehicle, then later, after we took care of Greta, someone took a couple of shots at us. All of these incidents have been reported to my superior, Master Sergeant Doug Hanover.”