Bound by Duty

by Valerie Hansen

  Allowing himself one quick glance at Zoe through the car windows, he gave her a thumbs-up sign.

  “Colson in position,” Linc radioed his teammates, keeping his back to the prevailing wind so it wouldn’t blow directly into the mic and distort communications.

  Blackwood’s voice was strong and sure. “Stay alert. Ahern was not at home, so he’s probably here. Be careful. We want him alive.”

  “Affirmative.”

  With Star on a short leash, Linc started to work his way toward the base of the control tower where the note had instructed Zoe to meet.

  Merely thinking her name made his gut knot and his palms sweat. A long, slow blink and a sigh were meant to clear his mind and sharpen his wits.

  Star paused in her stride just enough to alert him. Before he could react, the snap, whine and echo of a rifle shot sliced the night air. Linc felt the disturbance near his ear and knew he had just been shot at. And missed. Barely.

  He hit the tarmac with his shoulder and rolled, ending in a crouch and scrambling for cover behind a maintenance truck, Star at his side.

  He heard Blackwood in his radio and replied, “No, Captain. I wasn’t hit. Did anybody see where the shot came from?”

  “Negative, Colson. Hold your position.”

  “Yes, sir.” Linc kept Star close. He didn’t intend to survive combat with his K-9 and then let some idiot with a rifle take them out on their home turf. “No wonder they couldn’t find Ahern at his quarters. He’s here.”

  Blackwood’s reply was unsettling at the very least. “He’s here, all right, but that wasn’t him shooting at you. We caught him selling marijuana in one of the hangars. He’s been in custody for several minutes.”

  “Really? Maybe it’s the woman we suspected of knocking me over the head behind the preschool.”

  “Or Sullivan is back.”

  Linc’s throat threatened to close. “Is that possible? I thought he was spotted at Baylor.”

  “He’s been seen a lot of places, but nobody has proved any of it. Just keep your eyes open and your head down.”

  “Yes, sir. Has anybody got Ahern to talk?”

  “Negative. He still denies involvement in the stalking incidents,” Blackwood answered.

  “Copy.” Despite the wind that swirled dirt and sand around him, Linc was able to see enough of the runways and tower to feel fairly secure where he was. Security Forces had the tower surrounded and the controllers secured, hopefully trapping the shooter inside their temporary perimeter with no opportunity to foul up landings and takeoffs. Now, they’d rely on the dust to mask their possible approach and wait for orders to close the net.

  Star’s ears perked up. Sensing danger, Linc started to stand. Another rifle shot sounded and he ducked back, only to realize the shooter had not aimed for him this time. Zoe was his target! And there was a hole punched through the windshield right where she had been sitting.

  * * *

  Zoe slipped out of Linc’s damaged vehicle and lowered herself onto the tarmac, staying behind the open door as much as possible. “Father, please protect the good guys, especially Linc. Please.”

  Boots and camo-covered legs appeared beside her. She recognized Ethan Webb when he asked, “You hit?”

  “No.” Good thing she’d been hunched down in the seat. “Is Linc okay?”

  “Yeah.” Ethan’s rifle was held at the ready, his gaze moving over the surrounding area while he radioed a report of her condition.

  “It has to be my stalker who’s shooting,” Zoe said. “I told Linc I wanted to go meet him face-to-face, so we could avoid this kind of thing.”

  “Might not have mattered in the long run. We already took Ahern into custody.”

  “Then who just shot at me?”

  “No idea.” He frowned at her. “You have a little boy, Sergeant. Why are you out here risking your life?”

  “Captain Blackwood wanted me here,” she said without hesitation. “But I expected to take a more active role.”

  Zoe saw the lieutenant rise to one knee and assume a defensive pose, rifle ready, as someone else approached.

  Nobody had to tell Zoe who it was. She could sense Linc was coming just as well as his K-9 sensed trouble.

  * * *

  Linc had stayed low, taking evasive action while moving toward better shelter. His fear was magnified by concern for Zoe and he demonstrated it clearly when he darted behind the SUV to join her and Ethan.

  Ignoring the other man, he glared at Zoe. “I thought I told you to stay put.”

  “I did—until somebody punched a hole through the window.”

  Ethan Webb interrupted. “You two can argue later when all this is over. Right now, we have other concerns.” He was scowling, and Linc realized he was right.

  “Sorry, Lieutenant. Any word on who’s doing the shooting?”

  “Apparently whoever was working with Ahern. We have people closing in.”

  “Copy that.” Linc quieted to listen to his radio. “Sounds like we have a woman in custody. They’re requesting backup.”

  Ethan nodded. “You have the attack dog, Colson, so you take it. I’ll go report to Captain Blackwood.”

  Linc saluted. “Yes, sir.”

  Frowning, angry and so frustrated he wanted to shout at everything and nothing, Linc turned to Zoe. “Get in the vehicle, lock the doors and keep your head down. I’ll be back ASAP.”

  Her “Yes, Sergeant” did not sound particularly amiable, but he was willing to settle for any kind of compliance that would guarantee her safety.

  Waiting for her to climb into the SUV and follow his orders, he was satisfied. There had been no more shooting and his fellow team members were getting the situation in hand. Even if Ahern wouldn’t talk, Linc hoped his cohort would.

  Broken-field running took Linc and Star to Westley James and his K-9, Dakota, where they stood with other Security Forces members. Sure enough, they had nabbed a woman dressed in all black. Linc recognized her, helped by her red hair. “That’s Anne McNally.”

  “Who?” the sergeant asked.

  “The airman who was offered to assist me in a computer search. Zoe was suspicious, but I put off checking because McNally had been spoken for by Captain Blackwood.” He confronted the handcuffed woman. “How long have you and Ahern been working together?”

  All she did was laugh. “Get real. Do you think I’m so desperate I’d need to sink to his level to get a date?”

  “It’s too late to try to divert suspicion,” Linc said. “He’s already been arrested.”

  McNally shrugged. “Why should I care?”

  Linc clenched his fists. He looked to Westley. “What about it, Sarge? What do you think?”

  “I’m not sure. We caught her hiding over there with a handheld radio but didn’t see a rifle.”

  “It’s around. We’ll find it.”

  “What about your suspicions regarding Boyd Sullivan?” Sergeant James asked. “What’s up with him?”

  “All I know is that he or someone posing as him posted a response on the anonymous blog, and Zoe got a note signed with the letter B. I suppose it could be Boyd, but if it is, he’s getting sloppy.”

  “I agree.”

  Still on alert, Linc checked their surroundings and perceived no threat. “Do you want me to deliver her to the captain or will you do the honors?”

  “You take her,” Sergeant James said. “Dakota and I were assigned this quadrant, so I’ll stay at my post.”

  Linc nodded, grabbed the red-haired woman’s arm and pulled her to her feet. She smelled of liquor. “Get moving.”

  Anne gave an annoying giggle and threw herself against Linc’s chest as if accidentally losing her balance. “Oops. You mean you aren’t going to pitch me over your shoulder and carry me?” Her speech slurred. “What a pity. I was looking forward to a li
ttle macho action.”

  Linc righted her and held her away as they walked. “I’d sooner kiss a rattlesnake.”

  * * *

  No matter how hard Zoe peered into the dust-clouded night she couldn’t see far enough to observe Linc. That was not only frustrating to her but it set her nerves on edge even more. Darkness didn’t frighten her. Neither did being alone. There was just something comforting about being able to see Linc—and Star. And something unexplainably unsettling when she couldn’t.

  She shivered. The wind’s velocity seemed to be picking up, as if the very weather sensed her unrest. That was ridiculous, of course, but it wasn’t too far-fetched to think that she might be tuning in to the turbulent atmosphere outside the SUV.

  Bursts of sand and pebbles peppered the windows. Zoe cringed, thankful that the bullet had struck the windshield. Its laminated construction kept the glass in one piece, although there was a pea-size hole just off center with spiderweb-looking lines radiating from it like a sunburst.

  She fixated on that damage, realizing how close she had come to being killed, and whispered, “Thank You, Jesus.”

  Her seat seemed to vibrate as gusts rocked the vehicle. Zoe closed her eyes and said an ongoing prayer of thanksgiving, adding pleas for the safety of everyone involved. To her surprise, she even found herself mentioning her nefarious brother. He had caused so much trouble, so much pain, yet she still recalled their childhood and the protective older sibling he had been then, despite his unruly nature. There had to be some good in him. There simply had to be.

  Suddenly, the window beside her head shattered into a million pieces, the tiny shards covering her like the blowing Texas sand. Instinct made her cover her face.

  Not prone to screaming when startled, Zoe hesitated long enough to feel herself being grabbed and pulled through the opening of the now-missing side window. Stretching her arm and shoulder sent sharp pain all the way down her spine and her ribs banged against the window’s lower edge.

  That was enough impetus to set her off. She took the deepest breath she could and let loose with a yowl that would have done the scream queen of a scary movie proud. The assailant pulled her into a bear hug and cut off the screech.

  Everything was happening so fast that Zoe couldn’t tell who had hold of her or what he was planning, but she did know one thing—anyone who would cause this kind of pain was capable of almost anything.

  The wind whipped her hair across her face and sand stung her exposed skin, but that was nothing compared to the severe way she was being held, arms pinned at her sides, hot breath so close to her face that she couldn’t turn her head.

  Tears blurred her vision. Unable to free a hand to rub her eyes, she blinked rapidly and tried to focus. “Let me go.”

  His response sent chills up her spine. He laughed and the sound was pure evil.

  Through her fear, she heard something familiar. She recognized that voice. Michael Orleck. Her washed-out student. He was behind all the assaults and stalking?

  “You!” Zoe gasped.

  Orleck laughed again. “Took you long enough. I figured you’d be deemed unfit and drummed out of the air force a lot sooner than this. You’re a disappointment, Teacher.”

  “That’s why you’ve been making my life miserable? I thought you were happy repairing planes.”

  “That’s what I wanted everybody to think.” He kept hold of one of her arms and with his other hand he reached for the rifle that had been slung across his back. “You ruined my life. I figured it was only fair to return the favor.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  “Maybe. But I’m not the one calling security day after day because I’m imagining prowlers and dirty tricks and outright attacks. I’m also not the one being blamed for letting a serial killer sneak onto the base and murder innocent airmen.”

  “That’s not true, and you know it.”

  “I don’t know anything of the kind, Teacher. Have you read the base blog lately?”

  “That was you?”

  “I made a few comments, yes.”

  Stalling for time and hoping that someone would notice her plight and send help, Zoe kept him talking. “How did you know?”

  “Know what?”

  “To call me Baby Sister.”

  “Ah, that.”

  He hesitated just long enough to cause her to wonder if Boyd might actually have posted the cryptic warning.

  “I worked with an old buddy of your brother’s, you know. I heard things.”

  She tried to free her arm, but his vise grip tightened instead. “You’re hurting me.”

  “Tough. You think you’re so smart, so perfect. Well, I’ve outsmarted you and that cop boyfriend of yours. Now I’m going to fix you for good and blame it on your crazy brother.”

  She made a monumental effort to escape, kicking at him and throwing her weight in the opposite direction. Thanks to her self-defense training, she managed to loosen his grip on her arm. But only for a second.

  Recovering and lunging, Orleck clamped both hands around her throat. He grimaced and tightened the stranglehold. She wanted to scream again, to call out to Linc, but she couldn’t get enough air.

  Zoe felt herself losing consciousness. Would help arrive in time? She managed to choke out a raspy “Jesus, help me,” before the attacker cut off the last of her air.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Star alerted, her focus on where Linc had left Zoe, shortly after he’d delivered McNally to Blackwood.

  Linc noticed and tensed. “Captain?”

  “Yes?”

  “Star’s acting strange. Permission to return to Sergeant Sullivan?”

  “Permission granted. As soon as we locate the missing weapon and make sure this incident is over, we’ll wrap up and head back.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Whirling, Linc loosened the lead to give his dog plenty of slack. She took it immediately, straining and beginning to bark. He followed at a run until they were within sight of the SUV. Two figures stood beside it, blurred by shadows and the swirling dust. It looked as if they were struggling.

  His gut told him the same thing his K-9 had been insisting: Zoe was in trouble. If he charged into the fray as his heart kept insisting, there was a strong possibility she’d end up being harmed. However, if he trusted his K-9’s judgment, the chances of successfully capturing her assailant were much better. Star knew Zoe. She wouldn’t make a mistake when choosing between good and evil. She’d bite the bad guy.

  He reeled Star in and unclipped her leash, keeping hold of her collar and peering at the altercation still taking place. It was now or never. Simultaneously letting go of her collar, he shouted, “Get ’em,” and began to run.

  Barking ferociously, Star quickly outpaced him and rounded the parked truck. He heard a human shout coupled with intense growling.

  “Good girl. Hold ’em,” Linc yelled, knowing Star was biting her target.

  When Linc slid to a stop at the other side of the truck, Star had Michael Orleck’s forearm in her teeth. The K-9 was being lifted off the ground as her quarry screamed and struggled to shake her off, but she held firm.

  What about Zoe? Linc spotted her and reached out, barely in time to catch her before she collapsed. He wrapped his arms around her, her head falling back over his arm, and he silently prayed he hadn’t been too late.

  Had he lost his love before he’d had a chance to admit how he felt about her—and Freddy?

  Finally, she drew a shuddering breath. Then another. Tears filled his eyes and gratitude his heart. This time, God had heard him. This time, the answer was clear.

  It took Linc several more moments to realize that Star had moved from the arm to the seat of the mechanic’s coveralls. Pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. Things Anne McNally had said made sense now. She had been helping Orleck, not Ahern, and chances
were good that the crime lab would find DNA from both men on the scrap of fabric Star had torn away from the older mechanic’s stolen coveralls.

  Linc looked down at Zoe and his hand touched her cheek, just as Captain Blackwood drew up next to him.

  “She needs to go to the ER.”

  “I know, Captain. She’s started breathing again, but she should be checked out.”

  “What happened?”

  “Orleck was choking her. Star is holding him for us.”

  The captain looked as though he wanted to grin. “I see. Better give your dog the release command before she tears the jumpsuit off him. We’ll take over. You get the sergeant to our standby ambulance. I’ll check in with you at the hospital.”

  Zoe stirred in Linc’s arms, and he pulled her across his chest in a more comfortable carrying position. He rained kisses on her hair and let his tears of absolute relief slide silently down his cheeks as he carried her toward the waiting ambulance.

  * * *

  Zoe opened her eyes and struggled to speak. Her throat was so tight, the muscles in her neck and shoulders so sore that she failed. This wasn’t a dream. Linc was carrying her. He’d come in time. Praise the Lord! She didn’t know how close she’d come to dying but had a sense it had been imminent.

  There was something important she needed to tell him. She tried to raise her head. When he looked down at her, he was smiling. And his eyes were glistening. She had to speak. To tell him about Orleck.

  “It was...”

  Instead of listening, Linc gently kissed her.

  “No, no.” She managed a weak shake of her head.

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t going to do that until I could ask first. I’m so happy you’re going to be okay. I slipped up.” He sobered. “Won’t happen again.”

  “No.” This time there was an underlying sob in her voice. Her palm rested on his chest, and she could feel the pounding of his heart. His dear heart. “I...tell...you...”

  “Ah.” Linc seemed to understand because his tender expression returned. “You want to tell me who the real stalker was.”

  “Uh-huh.”