Mission To Protect

They headed inside the base-command building. The four-story structure housed the administration staff as well as the photo lab and the OSI offices. Stepping into the elevator, Felicity felt dwarfed by the three men.

Even the dog made her feel tiny.

Ian, on her right, was several inches taller than her five-foot-six-inch frame, while Westley stood at least six feet tall. Behind her, Linc towered above her and Star’s breath created a hot spot on the back of her leg.

Silly. She hadn’t suddenly shrunk, but she stood straighter, as if an extra inch would matter. But once again, her world had been shaken and being average height wasn’t enough. She wanted to be taller and stronger to better protect herself, her coworkers and the dogs.

The elevator doors swooshed open. All three men and the dog waited for her to exit before falling into step behind her. It was like leading a procession of three giant trees as they approached the base commander’s office.

His assistant met them in the reception area and led them to a conference room.

“Staff Sergeant Monroe,” Brenda said with a soft smile directed at Felicity, “I’m glad to see you safe and sound.”

Felicity kept her expression neutral, but inside she cringed. She was trained by the best in the air force, but so were Tamara, Landon and Chief Master Sergeant Lockwood, who’d all died last night. “Thank you, ma’am,” she replied politely.

“Lieutenant General Hall will see you now.” She opened the door to the conference room and announced them.

“Come in.” Lieutenant General Hall rose from where he sat at the end of the long oval conference table. Tall and imposing, with his back ramrod-straight, the base commander was a force to be reckoned with. Felicity’s dad had thought highly of the officer. They were on the same bowling team. Lieutenant General Hall had given the eulogy at her father’s funeral. The reminder had her swallowing several times to ease the ominous tightening in her throat.

After Lieutenant General Hall returned their salute, he said, “At ease.”

Felicity dropped her salute and took a position with her hands tucked at her back. Her gaze landed on another man, who had risen from his seat at the table. He was dressed in a grey business suit, but something about him led her to believe this wasn’t a man to trifle with. His green eyes regarded her with curiosity and speculation.

Lieutenant General Hall resumed sitting, as did the stranger. The lieutenant general’s intense grey eyes landed on Westley for a moment then moved to Felicity. “Do you know why I asked to see you?”

Refocusing on Lieutenant General Hall, she said, “Sir, I assume because of the Red Rose Killer.”

“Yes. It seems Boyd Sullivan is back.” There was no mistaking the hard edge of anger in his tone. “He’s killed three people so far.”

Another wave of grief hit her. “Yes, sir. I’d heard that.”

She needed to see Maisy and offer her what comfort she could. Though having just lost her own father, Felicity knew there wasn’t much comfort to be had. Losing a parent was devastating.

Lieutenant General Hall tented his fingers. “We just received word that more people have received a rose and note like the one found in your mailbox.”

Felicity sucked in a sharp breath. “Who, sir?”

“We’ll get to that,” he said. “First, I’d like to introduce you to Special Agent Oliver Davison of the FBI.”

Oliver rose and nodded. “Since this is a federal case, I will be working with OSI and base security.”

Ian stepped forward and shook Oliver’s hand. “Glad to have the backup.”

Felicity exchanged a confused glance with Westley. Why were she and her boss included in this meeting?

A knock sounded. Brenda opened the conference-room door. “Captain Blackwood and Lieutenant Webb have arrived, sir.”

The two men, along with their canine partners, walked in. Brenda retreated and closed the door behind her.

The dogs sat at attention while the men saluted.

Lieutenant General Hall returned the salute and instructed them to relax.

As the only female soldier in a room full of handsome and higher-ranking men, Felicity’s shoulder muscles tensed. But she would not allow herself to be intimidated. This wasn’t the first time she’d been surrounded by men, nor would it be the last.

It’s a man’s world. You’ll never fit in. Her mother’s words when she’d learned that Felicity had enlisted echoed through her mind, but Felicity refused to accept her mother’s pronouncement. Sure, Felicity had experienced some sexism over her four years of service, but it only made her more determined to prove herself worthy.

Westley stepped closer to her side. The overwhelming sense of camaraderie his nearness generated surprised her. He may be miserly with his praise and exacting in his teaching style, but her boss had her back. Which was confusing, distracting and, she had to admit, comforting.

“All of you take a seat,” Lieutenant General Hall instructed.

When Westley moved to pull out a chair for her, she gave him a pointed look. He retreated but nonetheless sat in the chair beside her. The last thing she needed was him showing her deferential treatment because she was in danger.

Or was it because she was a woman? Did he see her that way?

She narrowed her eyes at him. No, that couldn’t be. He was too hard on her at work for her gender to be an issue.

He raised a questioning eyebrow.

She refused to be coddled by anyone, especially Westley. She looked away.

The other men took seats, with the dogs settling behind their chairs. Ian remained standing.

“We’re waiting for a few more people,” General Hall said. “Would anyone like some water? Coffee?”

Everyone declined the offer.

A few moments later, Brenda escorted in three women.

When Maisy Lockwood walked in, Felicity’s heart jumped. The preschool teacher’s pretty eyes were red-rimmed and her countenance, usually so cheerful, was somber. Felicity gripped her chair’s arms and fought for the self-control not to rush to her friend’s side.

Behind Maisy came First Lieutenant Vanessa Gomez in her green nursing scrubs. Her dark hair was caught up in a clip at the back of her head and her brown eyes glowed with worry. Last to file in was Airman Yvette Crenville, the base nutritionist. The willowy blonde stopped and, with one look at those gathered in the room, seemed ready to bolt. There was no mistaking the pinch of fear in her pretty face.

After the formal greetings, the three women took seats at the table.

Lieutenant General Hall’s gaze filled with sympathy. “Miss Lockwood, we are all grieving over the loss of your father.”

Maisy sniffed and nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

Lieutenant General Hall’s gaze moved to Vanessa and Yvette. “Thank you also for coming in. You both, along with Staff Sergeant Monroe, received a red rose and threatening note from Boyd Sullivan, aka the Red Rose Killer.”

Stunned, Felicity turned her gaze to the other women. After Felicity’s date with Boyd, he’d moved on to Yvette, who’d also been in their BMT. The pair had dated until his discharge, when she’d publicly broken up with him. But as far as Felicity knew Vanessa, a critical care nurse, had no connection to Boyd. She’d been in officer training at the time.

“Base security will be on high alert, especially at the preschool, hospital and base housing,” Lieutenant General Hall said.

“You think Boyd will come after me?” Maisy’s voice rose.

“Your father was my friend,” Lieutenant General Hall stated, his voice tinged in sadness. “I won’t take any chances with your safety.”

“I don’t understand, sir,” Vanessa said. “Why would Boyd target me?”

“That is an excellent question, Lieutenant,” Lieutenant General Hall stated. “One I will leave to Captain Blackwood and his team to uncover. Until then your safety is our priority.”

“Thank you, sir,” Yvette said, her voice wobbly. “This is so scary.”

“Not to worry, Airman Crenville,” Lieutenant General Hall replied in a soothing tone. “Boyd will be captured quickly.”

Yvette shivered. “I hope so.”

Sweeping his gaze over the female personnel, Lieutenant General Hall said, “The four of you are dismissed.”

Felicity rose with the others but paused as Westley stood and touched her arm.

“Wait for me in the hall,” he said in a low voice.

She blinked at the request. She wanted to ask him why, but her desire to talk to Maisy overrode her curiosity. She nodded and hurried after Maisy. She snagged her friend by the elbow once they were in the hall. “Oh, honey, I was so sorry to hear about your dad.”

Maisy’s eyes filled with tears. “It was horrible.”

Felicity drew Maisy to a bench along the wall as Vanessa and Yvette walked away. “Here...sit.”

Maisy sat and wiped at her eyes. “I don’t understand how this could happen.”

Neither could Felicity. The whole thing seemed surreal. Boyd Sullivan escaping prison, getting on base in the dark of night and killing three people and terrorizing three more. She prayed God would bring Boyd to justice quickly.

“He took my dad’s cross necklace,” Maisy said, drawing Felicity’s attention.

That was odd. Boyd hadn’t collected souvenirs from his past victims. At least not that Felicity recalled. What did it mean when a serial killer changed his MO?

She shuddered with anxiety, afraid they were going to find out before all was said and done.

* * *

When the door closed behind the women, Westley had to fight to remain in place and not follow Felicity out. He didn’t like not having eyes on her. If anything happened to her...

“Have a seat,” Lieutenant General Hall told the men who had stood as the ladies left the room.

The men resettled themselves in their seats around the conference table, all attention focused on the base commander.

Lieutenant General Hall pinned Westley to his chair with an intense stare. “Master Sergeant James, care to explain why you left the meeting earlier without permission?”

Westley sat up straighter, glad Felicity was in the hall and not witness to his dressing down. He gave the lieutenant general his reason, hoping he didn’t reveal more than concern for his employee.

“It appears you were right to be alarmed for her welfare,” Lieutenant General Hall said. “I’ll overlook your lack of protocol this one time.”

Easing out a relieved breath, Westley inclined his head. “Thank you, sir.”

“Now, how do we ferret out the person who helped Sullivan get on base?” Lieutenant General Hall’s gaze traveled over the men at the table and settled on Oliver Davison. “What can you tell us about the prison break?”

“We’ve confirmed Sullivan bribed two guards into letting him out of his cell and into the docking bay, where he crawled into the back of a laundry truck and escaped,” Oliver said.

Westley’s phone buzzed with another incoming text from the training center. He glanced at it and was glad to read the growing total of dogs recovered.

Lieutenant General Hall focused on Captain Justin Blackwood. “How did he get on base?”

“Sir, we’re still working on that,” Justin replied. He sat at the table with his hands braced on his knees. “All personnel are being asked to report their whereabouts for the past twenty-four hours. It will take us time to verify every alibi.”

“And what of Sullivan’s half-sister?” Oliver asked. He consulted his notebook. “Staff Sergeant Zoe Sullivan.”

“We are looking into her, sir.” Linc spoke up for the first time. He’d taken a position leaning against the wall rather than sitting at the table. “She’s a flight instructor and is currently in the air. But when she lands, we’ll be questioning her.”

“Keep me informed of your progress,” Lieutenant General Hall said. He trained his gaze on Justin. “You also received a rose and note, did you not?”

Justin nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Surprise washed through Westley.

Oliver asked Justin, “What has Sullivan got against you?”

“I was one of his basic instructors, sir,” Justin replied. “I called him on the carpet on multiple occasions for slacking off and harassing the female recruits.”

“Stay vigilant, Captain,” Lieutenant General Hall instructed.

“I will, sir.”

To Westley, Lieutenant General Hall said, “How are you progressing on recovering the dogs?”

“We have half recovered so far, sir.” Not nearly enough. There were still so many dogs missing. Westley hated to think about what could happen to the dogs if they made their way off base or deep into the woods or onto the runway. “Everyone on base is helping to bring the dogs in safely.”

“Excellent.” Lieutenant General Hall turned to First Lieutenant Ethan Webb. “What I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave this room.”

“Yes, sir,” Westley murmured in agreement along with the others.

“It seems Sullivan has been busy,” Lieutenant General Hall said. “Either before coming here or shortly after, he visited Baylor marine base and left a rose and note for Lieutenant Jillian Masters.”

Westley’s gaze shot to Ethan, who sat across the table. Jillian was Ethan’s ex-wife, though she’d retaken her maiden name. “Why would she be a target?”

Ethan’s jaw firmed. “Jillian had a run-in with Boyd shortly before his discharge. She’d been on base observing a K-9 seminar I was conducting. This was back when we were married. Boyd tried flirting with her, and it didn’t go over well. Jillian can be...cutting when she wants.”

Westley had only met the woman once. She’d definitely had an edge to her.

“But we don’t know when Sullivan was at Baylor?” Linc said. “He may not be on base now.”

“We can’t assume anything,” the OSI agent, Ian Steffen, stated. “We have five known targets. We need to be vigilant and catch him, if and when, he makes a move.”

Acid churned in Westley’s gut at the thought of Felicity in danger. Granted, she was in the law-enforcement track and trained to take care of herself, but so were Sullivan’s other victims, and yet the fiend had killed three well-trained airmen.

At least with her at the training center, he’d be able to keep an eye on her during the day. He’d ask for permission to send home a German shepherd named Glory to protect her at night. Glory was a fierce dog with great protective instincts.

Hall slammed a palm on the table. “I will not have this maniac running rampant on my base.”

“If I may suggest,” Ian said, “you reassign Staff Sergeant Monroe to a more visible base position, where she will draw Boyd out in the open. Sullivan has to know security will be beefed up at the training center now, especially with two homicides on site.”

Westley’s heart pounded as the agent’s words echoed through the room. “You want to make her a sacrificial lamb?” The thought of deliberately putting her in harm’s way made his blood run cold.

“You don’t think she’s up to the task?” Ian asked, his tone soft but intense.

Westley didn’t doubt Felicity’s abilities. He just didn’t like tempting danger. Not when that danger was in the form of Boyd Sullivan, a man who had already killed eight people. “No. I mean, she’ll be safer at the training center.”

Ian arched an eyebrow. “Duly noted. However, of the three female targets, she’s the only one in the law-enforcement track.”

Lieutenant General Hall sat back and rubbed his chin. “The base photographer is being transferred to another assignment. Does Staff Sergeant Monroe know her way around a camera?”

“I can answer that, sir,” Ian said. “I know for a fact that she does. Her father’s office was covered with photos she’d taken.”

Westley had seen her with a nice camera on numerous occasions, taking pictures of the dogs. And he’d seen the images. Though she’d claimed photography was a hobby, as far as he was concerned, her work was professional-grade.

But Westley couldn’t protect Felicity if she wasn’t at the training center. Responsibility weighed heavy on his shoulders. Knowing he was going out on a very thin and fragile limb, Westley met the OSI agent’s gaze. “I want to be detailed to her protection.”

Ian studied him with speculation in his eyes. “I see no issue with that.”

Surprised at the lack of argument from the agent, Westley went even farther out on the limb and addressed the lieutenant general. “And I want a dog to be with her at all times. Even at night.” Asking for something that traditionally wasn’t allowed was risky. Every military working dog was a valuable asset and when not deployed was kept in the kennels at the training center.

Lieutenant General Hall studied him for a moment. “Okay. I will allow it. Use the dogs as needed during this situation.” He sat back. “Then it’s settled. Staff Sergeant Monroe will be transferred to the photo lab under my command.” Lieutenant General Hall zeroed his gaze on Westley. “And you will be detailed to her protection along with a canine.” Lieutenant General Hall turned to Justin. “You good?”

Justin nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Westley sucked in a quick breath of triumph and nervousness. That meant he was going to be Felicity’s shadow 24/7. Keeping an emotional distance when they’d be so close would be harder.

But if he failed to protect her, she could be the next victim. He couldn’t allow that to happen. Wouldn’t allow it to happen. If anything happened to Felicity, he’d crumble beneath the weight of guilt.

He’d walk on coals if need be. Anything to protect her.

“She will be your responsibility to keep safe, Master Sergeant James.” Lieutenant General Hall’s gaze narrowed. “Are you up to the task?”

Pulse spiking, Westley nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Game on.

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