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

by Valerie Hansen

  Westley James scowled. “I can’t believe someone poisoned Greta,” he said finally. He pinned Sean with a stern glare. “I need you to find the person responsible for all of this, understand?”

  “Yes, sir. Believe me, I want to find the person who did this more than anyone.”

  “Staff Sergeant Morris was injured by the shooter.” Jacey spoke up.

  Westley’s brows leveled upward. “You’re okay?”

  “Yes, sir. Just a flesh wound.” Sean hesitated, then asked, “I’d like to speak to the staff who were working in the evening hours of the training center yesterday.”

  “Understood. Aiden Gomez was on duty, along with a few others assigned to shut down the kennel for the night. I’d start with him.”

  “Do you have a log of everyone who was here last evening?”

  “Yes.” Westley opened a file folder and removed a sheet of paper, then handed it to Sean.

  “Aiden loves dogs,” Jacey said. “He’d never do anything to harm them.”

  “I just want to see if he noticed anything unusual last night, that’s all.” That much was true, but Sean also knew that at this point in the investigation everyone was a suspect.

  Even Jacey.

  Not that he really believed she would harm her own K-9 partner, but he couldn’t afford to overlook any remote possibility.

  Getting personally involved is exactly what had gotten him into trouble with Liz Graber. Thinking her ex-husband had gotten the message, he’d asked Liz out on a date. The night they’d dined at a local restaurant off base, Liz’s ex had followed them, and then he’d killed her. If Sean hadn’t asked Liz out on a personal level, she never would have died that night.

  No way was he going down that path again.

  “Staff Sergeant Morris?”

  He snapped his head up to find Westley James staring at him impatiently. “Yes, sir?”

  “When would you like to speak to Aiden Gomez? He’s here in the morning for four-and-a-half hours, then again in the late evening for three hours.”

  “If he’s here, I’d like to see him now, if that’s okay.”

  Westley nodded. “Very well. You can use the empty trainer office at the end of the hall. It’s next to Jacey’s.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Westley reached for his phone and gave a curt order for Airman Gomez to report to the office on the double.

  “This way,” Jacey said, leading him down the hall to the empty office. She opened the door, then hovered in the doorway for a moment. “I’m going to spend a few hours working with a group of puppies, so there’s no need for you to hang around after you’re finished with Aiden.”

  “I see.” Despite his internal promise to keep his distance, he was disappointed. “Will you do me a favor?”

  She eyed him warily. “Like what?”

  “Call me when you’re ready to leave. It’s not safe for you to be alone, Jacey. I plan to sign out a vehicle, so there will be no need to take taxis back and forth.”

  She pursed her lips, then nodded. “Okay.”

  He let out a silent breath of relief. “Thanks.”

  Jacey looked as if she wanted to say something more, but then she glanced down the hall and smiled. “Hi, Aiden. How are you?”

  “Not good—I just heard about Greta.” The young airman was visibly upset. “I saw she wasn’t in her kennel, but I didn’t realize she was sick. What happened?”

  “We don’t know for sure but we think she was given something that made her sick,” Jacey said, and Sean was glad that she’d glossed over the cause of Greta’s illness. “That’s what Staff Sergeant Morris wants to talk to you about.”

  “Come in, Aiden.” Sean gestured the young man to step forward. “What time did you work last night?”

  “From nineteen hundred to twenty-two thirty.” Aiden glanced back at Jacey. “Greta was fine in her kennel when I left.”

  “I believe you,” Jacey said.

  “Aiden, I need to know if you saw anything unusual around any of the kennels. Any liquids or substances that aren’t normally around.”

  Aiden frowned. “No, sir, I didn’t. We have very strict rules here because it’s our job to make sure the dogs are safe.”

  “Okay, then, what about people?” Sean pressed. “Did you see anyone around who you normally don’t see that late at night?”

  Aiden’s gaze turned thoughtful. “I did see someone wearing the usual battle dress uniform, but he or she had the collar turned up to hide their face, and had a hat on, so I didn’t see who it was. The person was slender—made me think it was a woman, but I can’t honestly say for sure.”

  Sean’s pulse kicked up a beat and he pulled out the log, then glanced at Jacey. “Looks like both Misty Walsh and Reba Pokorny are on the log, although Misty left before twenty hundred.” He found it telling that Jacey’s name was not on the list, which proved it wasn’t foolproof.

  “Misty is a trainer, and Reba is a caretaker, like Aiden,” Jacey said. “To be honest, it wouldn’t be that difficult for someone to slip past without signing the log.”

  “You think the person I saw gave something to Greta that harmed her?” Aiden asked, his expression horrified. “I can’t believe Misty or Reba would do something like that. Especially Reba.”

  Sean wondered if Aiden had a thing for Reba. “We don’t know that for certain, so don’t go around saying that, okay? It could be that the person you saw may have witnessed something, just like you did.”

  Aiden’s expression cleared, and he nodded. “I understand. Everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty.”

  That was true in a court of law, but in police work, Sean tended to view it the other way around. Everyone was a suspect until cleared by either an alibi or evidence to the contrary.

  And the glimpse Aiden had gotten of a person hiding behind a turned-up collar and hat was his first clue.

  He only wished there was more to go on than a vague description that could include just about anyone.

  FIVE

  Jacey spent a couple of hours working with Aiden and three of four puppies that he’d helped to foster a few months ago. The mother had defended her pups against a coyote and, despite her serious injuries, had thankfully recovered. Aiden had named the four puppies after national parks; the two females were Shenandoah and Denali, the two males Smoky and Bryce. Shenandoah was the runt of the litter and hadn’t taken well to training, so Aiden had been allowed to keep her as his own.

  The other three pups were K-9 stars in the making.

  “Good job, Aiden,” she said when the three pups followed each of his commands. “You really have a great rapport with those pups. They respond to you very well.”

  “Thanks.” Aiden ducked his head in embarrassment, but smiled at the praise. “I love working with them. I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to teach me how to train them.”

  “My pleasure.” She yawned and had to force her eyes to remain open. Every muscle in her body ached from the combination of hitting the asphalt and lack of sleep.

  “You look tired,” Aiden said with a frown. “Maybe you should try to get some rest.”

  She wanted nothing more, but couldn’t leave the training center without calling Sean. And she wanted to head over to the clinic to check on Greta. “Soon,” she promised.

  Honoring her word, she called Sean. He answered almost immediately. “Jacey? Everything okay?”

  She yawned again. “Uh, yeah. Other than being exhausted. Listen, I’d like to head over to see Greta at the kennel before heading back to take a nap. Do you want to meet me at the veterinary clinic?”

  “No, I’ll pick you up there. I have a hard-top jeep from the motor pool. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  She was too tired to argue. “Okay.”

  Sean arrived within his allotted time frame,
and she gratefully climbed into the passenger seat. Even walking the short distance to the clinic seemed an overwhelming task.

  “Thanks,” Jacey said when Sean came over to open her door for her. “Why don’t you look as tired as I feel?”

  “I completed my reports, then slept for a couple of hours this morning.” Sean held open the veterinary-clinic door for her, too. “I need to drive Greta’s blood sample to the state lab when we’re finished here.”

  She’d forgotten about that, but knowing that Sean would personally deliver the sample was reassuring. “Good morning,” she greeted the airman behind the desk. “I’d like to talk to Captain Roark and see my K-9 partner, Greta.”

  “One moment, please.” The airman left, returning a few minutes later. “Dr. Roark will see you in exam room number four.”

  “Thanks.” Jacey led the way into the exam room and dropped into the visitor chair, resting her head back against the wall. “I’m not sure having a few hours of sleep is enough to make a long drive,” she said to Sean. “Maybe you should wait until morning.”

  “I’ll be all right,” he said. “I’m used to working long hours with little sleep.”

  She and Greta had done the same overseas, but apparently she’d grown soft while being back at Canyon.

  The back door opened and Dr. Roark came in leading Greta by an office leash. Jacey’s K-9 responded instantly to her presence and when Dr. Roark picked up the dog and set her on the stainless-steel surface, Jacey wrapped her arms around Greta’s neck and buried her face in the animal’s soft fur.

  “It’s so good to see you, Greta.” Jacey lifted her head and smiled as the dog licked her face and thumped her tail on the table. Jacey lifted her gaze to Dr. Roark. “She looks so much better.”

  Dr. Roark nodded. “She’s responded exceptionally well to the fluids I’ve given her.” He gestured to the small bump beneath the fur on the animal’s neck. “This is almost completely gone. See? We place the fluid under the skin and it slowly gets absorbed into her bloodstream. I think another small bolus will do the trick.”

  Relieved, she scratched Greta carefully between her ears. “I can’t wait to bring her home.”

  “Actually, if you’re willing to sit here for another hour, I think you can.” Dr. Roark glanced at his watch. “I need to draw another blood sample to check her kidney function. If the numbers continue to improve the way they have been, then I can give another fluid bolus and release her into your care.”

  “Really?” The wave of relief pushed past her exhaustion. “Then I’ll wait.”

  “We both will,” Sean corrected.

  Dr. Roark nodded and gestured to the two visitor chairs. “Make yourself at home. I’ll take Greta back and get going on the blood work.”

  Jacey gave Greta one last kiss and stepped back so Dr. Roark could take her back. She sank into the chair and once again rested her head against the wall.

  Sean dropped into the seat beside her. “I’m glad Greta is better.”

  “Me, too.” She yawned again and closed her eyes. Maybe she’d just rest for a minute.

  The next thing Jacey knew, Sean was softly calling her name. “Jacey? Wake up—Dr. Roark has Greta ready for you.”

  “Huh?” She lifted her head from Sean’s shoulder and rubbed her eyes. Embarrassed at how she had used Sean as a pillow, she turned her attention to Greta, who was standing near her chair. “Hey, girl. Ready to go?”

  Greta wagged her tail and licked Jacey’s hand. There was a large bubble beneath Greta’s fur from the second fluid bolus, so Jacey made sure to avoid that area as she gave Greta’s coat a good rub.

  Then she took Greta and patted Sean’s arm. “Friend, Greta. Friend.”

  Greta sniffed him long and hard before wagging her tail.

  “You’ll need to take her outside frequently,” Dr. Roark warned. “The more fluid she absorbs, the more she’ll have to go.”

  “I understand.” Jacey didn’t care how much work was involved as long as she was able to take Greta with her. “Thank you for everything.”

  “You’re welcome.” Dr. Roark handed over the office leash and then provided a small square box containing Greta’s blood sample to Sean. “I expect a copy of the results when they’re ready.”

  “I will,” Sean promised. They left the exam room. “I’m parked around the corner, so you and Greta should wait here in the lobby.”

  “I think we should stick together,” Jacey countered. “All three of us have been under attack by whoever is behind this.”

  Sean’s expression turned serious. “Yeah, you might be right about that.”

  They kept Greta between them as they left the clinic. The streets were busy at noontime with airmen and officers going out for lunch and doing Christmas shopping at the BX. The Christmas lights weren’t as bright during the daytime, but wreaths decorated each lamppost providing a cheery atmosphere.

  The drive to their temporary home didn’t take long. Jacey walked around the back side of the property, which wasn’t visible from the road, and allowed Greta to do her business. Sean watched over her and, when they were done, unlocked the door for her and Greta.

  Inside, she took Greta around the house, familiarizing the K-9 with their temporary living arrangements. The place was only sparsely furnished, but she was pleasantly surprised to find a six-foot fake Christmas tree in the corner of the room, with a Nativity scene spread out beneath it. Greta sniffed at everything cautiously, then went over to drink water from a stainless-steel bowl Jacey had set next to her food dish in the kitchen.

  “They must have left in a hurry to leave the Christmas tree and Nativity scene behind,” Jacey said.

  “I guess so.” He watched Greta drinking from the water dish. “You seem to have covered everything.”

  “Yes, even Greta’s vest for when she needs to get back to work.” She yawned again. “I’ll stretch out on the sofa for a while in case Greta needs to go out again.”

  “I hope to be back in a couple of hours,” Sean said as he walked to the door. He glanced back with a frown. “I’d feel better about leaving if you were armed.”

  “Greta will watch over me.”

  Sean hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. See you later.”

  After he left, she locked the door and turned on some Christmas music for background noise, before stretching out on the sofa with Greta at her side. She thought she’d fall asleep instantly but found herself worrying about Sean driving all the way to the San Antonio crime lab on his own. Granted, no one other than his boss knew that he was driving a jeep, but still...

  If not for Greta needing close monitoring, and frequent trips outside, she would have insisted on going along. Before drifting off to sleep, Jacey prayed that God would watch over Sean.

  Bringing him back, safe and sound.

  * * *

  Sean kept a keen eye on the traffic behind him as he left Canyon. He hadn’t signed the jeep out under his name, but had used his boss’s instead and kept the paperwork out of the official file. Yet, that didn’t mean he was willing to let down his guard.

  The trip to San Antonio didn’t take quite as long as he’d expected. He handed over Greta’s blood sample, then turned and headed straight back to base. He had taken his computer with him and planned to continue working the investigation from their temporary living quarters.

  He’d gotten photos of both female training-center employees who were on duty last evening and had interviewed them both over the phone. Of course, both women denied having anything to do with Greta. Next, he decided to dig into their backgrounds, see if there were any red flags there. He’d also left a message with Staff Sergeant Cronin about what they’d found at the parking lot.

  Jacey was still asleep on the sofa when he returned to the house. Greta met him at the door and he held out his hand, hoping she remembered him from the clinic. He needn’t
have worried; Greta was a smart dog and didn’t hesitate to press her nose against him.

  He took Greta out into the backyard for a moment, sweeping his gaze over the area. But he didn’t see anyone, not even a curious face from a neighbor’s window.

  When he returned inside, he set up his laptop on the kitchen table, keeping his phone on Vibrate so as not to disturb Jacey.

  If Cronin didn’t call him back within the hour, he’d have to try him again. Granted, the guy had worked the night shift, but Sean had to believe they’d found some sort of evidence at the parking lot.

  He pulled up the background he’d started on Reba Pokorny, but she was a relatively new airman, transferred over from basic training just four months ago.

  Too new to get into trouble? Maybe.

  He was about to switch gears and begin looking at Misty Walsh when his phone rumbled against the tabletop. He swept up his phone, grimacing as he realized Jacey had woken up and was peering at him sleepily over the back of the sofa.

  “Staff Sergeant Morris,” he answered.

  “This is Staff Sergeant Cronin, returning your call.”

  “Thank you. I’m interested in what evidence you were able to recover from the parking lot.”

  Cronin sighed. “Nothing.”

  Sean frowned. “What do you mean, nothing? Two shots were fired—there has to be something the gunman left behind.”

  “We waited for daylight and didn’t find a single iota of evidence,” Staff Sergeant Cronin said in a curt voice. “If not for the wound on your arm, I’d wonder if you didn’t make the whole story up.”

  Sean’s gaze met Jacey’s, his chest tightening as he realized this was how she’d been treated by the Special Forces after reporting her incidents. It was awful to have someone in authority believing you lied about something so serious.

  “There has to be something,” Sean insisted. “The bullet that grazed my arm has to be there somewhere.”