Guard Duty (Texas K-9 Unit)

by Sharon Dunn

  The expression on her face sent a charge through him. “You showed good instincts,” he murmured.

  “Thank you.” When she smiled, her freckles seemed more intense.

  The glow of appreciation in her voice made his heart leap.

  She leaned toward him. “Guess I’ll see you later for the barbecue.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. Your night watch isn’t here yet. I’ll be parked right along the curb.”

  “I appreciate that.” She opened the door and slipped inside.

  As the door eased shut, he could hear the sound of Mrs. Witherspoon’s fussing over Valerie, Bethany’s gleeful cry and Valerie exclaiming, “There’s my girl.”

  Trevor returned to his car and settled in. He had some calls he needed to make. He scanned the neighborhood, which was a mixture of apartment buildings and single-family homes. Things looked pretty settled, but that didn’t mean he could let his guard down. Twice Lexi came to the window and looked out at him, resting her paws on the windowsill.

  That dog just didn’t know what to make of him.

  As he pulled his laptop out and worked through the late afternoon, he found himself looking forward to the barbecue and being with Valerie. What was it about her that was getting under his skin?

  FIVE

  As she slipped into a purple sundress and contemplated whether to wear her hair up or down, Valerie realized she was making choices with Trevor’s reaction in mind.

  “Why should I care what he thinks, huh, Lex?”

  The dog, who had positioned herself by the bedroom door, tilted her chunky square head sideways as though she understood what Valerie was saying.

  “It’s not like I don’t have enough going on already.” She turned away from the full-length mirror to the bed where Bethany was propped against some pillows. The toddler broke out in a grin and then lifted the blanket to hide her face.

  “Oh peek-a-boo to you, too.” She swept Bethany in her arms as the little girl let out a giggle. She bounced her up and down, making her laugh even more.

  Lexi came to attention. The dog had been around Bethany at family gatherings. As Kathleen neared the end of her life, Bethany had stayed at Valerie’s quite a bit, but the dog still didn’t quite know what to make of this new little person in the house. She showed neither animosity nor affection for the toddler.

  Valerie sat Bethany back on the bed and smoothed her troll-doll hair. She retrieved a plastic barrette from the bathroom and placed it in Bethany’s blond hair. Bethany fingered the barrette but didn’t pull it out. “Now we both look pretty. And we’re ready to have a good time.” The ache in her heart returned. She stroked Bethany’s soft cheek as thoughts of Kathleen returned.

  The barbecue had been her father’s idea, a way of bringing the family together under more positive circumstances since Kathleen’s funeral over a month ago. She understood her father’s way of coping, but the cloud of sorrow would be there no matter what.

  Valerie grabbed a light sweater as a cover-up. Spring evenings could still be a little chilly. She juggled Bethany, her purse and the diaper bag as she headed toward the door. Lexi followed dutifully behind.

  Once outside, the cool March air greeted her. She contemplated how she was going to get her keys out of her purse to lock the door with everything she was holding.

  A car door slammed and Trevor strode toward her. “Let me give you a hand.”

  She caught the moment of head-to-toe assessment he did of her before he spoke. A warm smile brightened his tanned face.

  “Thank you.” She handed him the diaper bag and placed Bethany in his arms before opening her purse to dig for her keys. “I thought we should take separate cars. I’m sure you need to get back to the hotel or wherever you’re staying. The night shift protection will be in place by the time I...” She looked up at him. Bethany sucked on his shirt collar and then patted his chest three times. Trevor stiffened his shoulders. “Babies aren’t quite your thing, are they?”

  Color rose up in his face. “I just haven’t been around them much.”

  She placed the key in the lock and twisted it before turning to face him. “You never had any little sisters or brothers?”

  “No, it was just me.” He broke off eye contact.

  She had a feeling there was more to the story than he was willing to tell. She’d seen a flash of sadness or maybe it was pain in his eyes. Trevor Lewis was a hard man to figure out. She took Bethany out of his arms.

  He held on to the diaper bag. “That’s your car over there?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “It’s been parked out here all day. Why don’t I take a good look at it before you get in?”

  Valerie’s breath caught as apprehension returned. She hadn’t even thought of the possibility of a bomb being planted. She wouldn’t put it past the syndicate, though.

  Trevor opened and closed doors, ran his hands underneath seats, searched the trunk and checked the underside of the car. He rose to his feet and dusted off his pants. “Take it slow. I’ll follow behind you.”

  Valerie placed Bethany in her car seat in the back, and Lexi took her position in the passenger seat. As they drove, Lexi alerted to the movement of people and cars on the street. Like any good cop, there wasn’t much that the dog didn’t notice.

  Valerie checked her rearview mirror. Trevor’s sedan remained close. They passed the Lost Woods before arriving at a suburb on the outskirts of Sagebrush.

  Valerie had pulled Bethany out of her car seat by the time Trevor rolled in behind her in the driveway. He got out of his car and flashed her a quick smile. “We made it.”

  Her stomach fluttered when he looked at her with those dark, intense eyes. What was it about this guy that stirred up these feelings of attraction? “Come on, let’s go meet my family.”

  * * *

  Trevor followed Valerie around the side of the house as he took in his surroundings. He hadn’t wanted to tell Valerie, to ruin her evening out with her family, but he was pretty sure they’d been followed.

  The chatter of voices and water splashing in a pool greeted him even before he saw the huge crowd gathered on the patio. An older man in a Hawaiian shirt flipped burgers while he spoke to a woman in a wheelchair. Young children jumped in the pool and came out shivering. Adults milled in and out of the house or sat at a patio table. He estimated that there were at least ten adults and just as many children.

  Valerie leaned close to him. “Don’t be intimidated. Not all of them are family—some are friends and neighbors.”

  A woman with long, blond hair came up to Valerie and held out her arms for Bethany. “There’s my sweet baby.”

  “Trevor, this is Lucy Cullen. We met when I was assigned protective duty for her.”

  Lucy gathered Bethany into her arms. “And we’ve been friends ever since.”

  “She’s engaged to a fellow K-9 officer.” Valerie pointed across the pool at a tall, muscular man with light brown hair. “Lee Calloway.”

  Lucy’s gaze fell on Trevor. “I’ll watch Bethany for a while. Why don’t you relax and enjoy yourself.” She sauntered away holding Bethany.

  Valerie set the diaper bag down. “My brother David should be around here somewhere.” She scanned the crowd. “I’ll have you meet my dad first.”

  She took his hand as though it were the most natural thing in the world and led him toward the man by the barbecue. The softness of her grip sent a surge of heat through him.

  She let go of his hand and touched his shoulder. “Dad, this is Agent Trevor Lewis from the San Antonio FBI. We’re working together to catch a fugitive.”

  The older man put his spatula down and offered Trevor a hardy handshake. “Detective Ben Salgado, retired, twenty-five years on the force.”

  Trevor nodded. “Appreciate your service, sir.”

  Ben offered him a wide grin. “Trying to talk Valerie into taking the detective’s exam. Once she gets done with this dog thing.”

  Valerie turned slightly and
bent her head, staring at her feet. “I enjoy the K-9 unit.”

  The moment passed quickly, but he had caught a tremor in her voice that suggested hurt.

  Oblivious to how his comment had affected his daughter, Ben flipped a burger and then turned to face them again. “This is my wife, Helen.” Ben pointed toward the woman in the wheelchair, who nodded.

  “I worked dispatch until this muscular disease got the better of me. Ben and I met when we were both employed by the police department.” Salt and pepper hair framed Helen Salgado’s slender face. Kind eyes looked at him from behind wire-rimmed glasses.

  “Daddy, we’re looking for David. Where is he?”

  “Mary and the girls came separately. David is still on duty. He should be here any minute,” Helen said.

  Ben slapped Trevor’s back. “In the meantime, have a burger. Drinks and sides are over by the table.”

  While Trevor ate, Valerie retrieved Bethany from Lucy only to have her taken away again by a gray-haired grandmotherly woman. Trevor took a bite of his burger and watched the action around him.

  Lexi sat where Valerie had commanded her to stay. Though children would come by to pet her, she remained stoic and vigilant, always watching. When one of the kids had pointed a plastic water pistol at Valerie, Lexi had stirred to her feet, waiting for the command from Valerie to attack. Valerie had given her a hand signal that told her it was okay to lie down.

  That was something he had in common with the dog. He’d never been much of a mixer at social gatherings, preferring to remain on the perimeter as an observer.

  Valerie walked around the other picnic tables, grabbing the empty plates. The setting sun gave her skin a luminescent quality and her long, red hair had shaken loose from the ponytail. He jumped up when she headed back toward the house with a stack of dirty plates. Maybe that car hadn’t been following them on the way in, but he didn’t want to take any chance of her being alone or vulnerable. He could stay close without her having to think about the death threat.

  He caught up with Valerie just as she placed the dishes in the sink. Her back was turned toward him. The big windows provided too much of an opportunity for Valerie to be seen. It would be nothing for a sniper to fire a shot through them.

  They were alone in the kitchen, the noise from the party outside muffled by the patio door. “Why don’t we go back to the yard?”

  Startled, Valerie turned and placed her palm on her chest. “I didn’t realize you’d followed me in.” Evening light streaming through kitchen windows washed over her. “I just needed to get away from all the noise for a moment and catch my breath. I kind of like the quiet.”

  After seeing how shaken up she was from the email threat at the station, he felt the need to protect her not just physically, but emotionally, too. She needed to have a nice night with her family and not have to think about the ever-watchful eyes of the syndicate. “I just think we should get back. I’m sure Bethany is missing you.”

  She laughed, a soft trilling sound. “I don’t think I am going to get that baby back until the night is over.”

  Headlights created shadows across the living room carpet. Someone was pulling up the street by the Salgado’s long driveway.

  “Oh, I bet that’s David.” She rushed through the kitchen toward the entryway and flung open the door.

  Trevor followed on her heels, as the evening air chilled his skin.

  She ran halfway down the long driveway. He could just make out the outline of the car he had seen earlier.

  A man covered in shadows got out of the car.

  “David!” she waved.

  Trevor caught up with Valerie and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Let’s go back inside.”

  She resisted when he tried to guide her back to the house. “What are you talking about?”

  The man stopped, then pivoted and returned to the car.

  She tensed. “That wasn’t my brother.”

  “No,” he said, pulling her close.

  “They followed us here. They...they know where my parents live.” Her voice faltered and she began to tremble.

  He drew her close. “I don’t know for sure. Maybe that guy was just lost.” She rested her face against his chest. He covered her with his arms and held her until the shaking stopped. Her back expanded and contracted with the steady intake and exhale of her breath.

  She pulled back and tilted her head toward him. “I forgot. For just one moment, I forgot that my life was in danger.”

  “We can’t take any chances.” He’d do anything to give her back a normal life, but that wasn’t within his power. All he could do was protect her and watch over her. “Come on, let’s go back to the party.”

  “What do you suppose that man’s plan was?” Fear still permeated her words.

  He stayed close to her as they turned to go back inside. “If it was the syndicate, he was probably going to scope out...an opportunity.” They walked across the living room floor.

  “There’s lots of trees around the backyard to hide in. I’m sure he would have found—” she cleared her throat “—a place to hide and get a clean shot.”

  For now, Trevor’s presence had deterred the would-be assassin.

  She opened the patio door and the happy noises of the party spilled into the living room. She hesitated at the door, her mouth drawn into a pensive line.

  He placed a supportive hand on the middle of her back, leaned close and whispered in her ear. “I know it feels like you can’t ever relax because of this. Just know that I’m here.”

  Mr. Salgado waved at them from a close picnic table. “David’s here.” He pointed across the pool at a man with long hair sitting in a lawn chair.

  “He must have pulled around back because the driveway was full of cars,” Valerie said as she stepped outside.

  David Salgado pulled his sunglasses off and stood up as Valerie and Trevor approached. He was at least ten years older than Valerie. The long hair was probably part of his undercover work.

  “David, this is Agent Trevor Lewis from San Antonio. He’s trying to track down a man named Derek Murke.” Valerie had a faraway look in her eyes. She was probably still rattled by what had happened in the driveway.

  David rubbed his forehead. “Derek Murke. Yeah, I remember him. He was robbing convenience stores when I was still on patrol.”

  “He’s back in town. You have any idea where he might be?” Trevor asked. “He’s probably worn out his welcome with his old partner in crime, Leroy Seville, and the aunt he was staying with.”

  David made a clicking sound with his tongue. “Murke did a lot of petty thievery.”

  “He graduated up to armed robbery about two years ago,” Trevor said.

  David rubbed his chin. “Seems like he had a half sister. She had a different last name than him, much more law abiding, too. I’m sure I could track down the name for you.”

  “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.” Trevor slapped David’s back and shook his hand before handing him a business card. “Give me a call when you know.”

  “Will do.”

  Valerie came up beside him and touched his forearm lightly. “Trevor, I think I’m ready to go home. I don’t like the idea of putting my family in danger.” Her voice had a pleading quality.

  Trevor nodded. “I don’t blame you.”

  As they walked away, David said, “I’ll let you know as soon as I remember. Take care of my sister.”

  He helped Valerie gather up Bethany and the baby’s things. David’s words echoed in his brain. More than anything, he wanted to keep her safe.

  Valerie gave him a backward glance before commanding Lexi to come.

  “I’ll follow you home,” he said. “We need to make sure your night protection is in place.”

  She nodded, but didn’t say anything. He waited for her on the quiet suburban street while she backed out of the driveway. He remained close as they made their way back to town through the city streets to her home. The red glare of her taillights ov
ershadowed the outline of her head and of Lexi’s head in the passenger seat.

  She slowed when she got close to her house. The police car was already parked outside. Trevor pulled in behind her. He waved at the police officer and followed Valerie up to her door. She had removed the car seat with the sleeping Bethany in it. Valerie fumbled in her purse for her keys. She pushed open the door.

  “Why don’t you let me have a look around inside first?”

  Again, she nodded. He checked both her first and second floor as well as the backyard. Satisfied, he returned to where she waited in the foyer. “All clear.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Have a good night.”

  He waited outside until he heard the lock click into place. He recognized the police officer from the station this morning. The man rolled down his window as Trevor approached. He leaned on the window. “Keep her safe.”

  “You got it,” said the officer.

  He got in his car and drove away. He circled the block twice before finally feeling like he could let go. He wanted to stay there all night, to watch over her. But he would be no good to anyone if he didn’t get some sleep.

  As he hopped on the freeway to head to the hotel, the lights of the city stretched before him. He had always thought there was something comforting about a city at night viewed from a distance. The twinkling lights and the silence masked all of the turmoil taking place on the streets and in some homes at night.

  Valerie had a family that loved her and Bethany. She had siblings who cared about her. The whole experience had been surreal to him. He had grown up in a home where all the happy families who cared about each other were on television. Valerie wouldn’t want anything to do with him if she knew what kind of family he came from...what his father had done to his mother.

  He spotted a sign for the hotel and hit the blinker. Why did she matter so much to him if he couldn’t see himself fitting into her life? He went to the hotel room he’d checked into the previous night. The room was clean, but the silence stood in sharp contrast to the chatter of the barbecue earlier. As he tossed his suitcase on the bed and pulled off his jacket, he was struck by a profound loneliness.