giggled. “You don’t waste any time.”
“I don’t want to spend another moment without you by my side.”
“By your side is where I want to be. Always.”
* * *
“It’s been a month, people,” Lieutenant General Hall said as he stood at the head of the conference table. Concern and displeasure were etched in his face, causing tension to ripple through the room.
Westley exchanged a quick glance with Felicity. His wife. Joy filled his heart. He took her hand beneath the table. They could face anything together.
They’d married in an intimate ceremony at the Christian church on base with Pastor Harmon officiating. Felicity’s mother had flown in and Ian had walked the bride down the aisle. Lieutenant General Hall had stood up as Westley’s best man, while Felicity’s friend Rae Fallon had been her maid of honor.
Westley and Felicity decided to postpone a formal honeymoon until after all the dogs were safely returned and Boyd Sullivan imprisoned once again. Westley moved his belonging from his studio apartment to Felicity’s house. He’d thought it would feel odd to live in the home she’s shared with her father but it wasn’t at all. In fact, he wanted to believe that Graham Monroe would have approved.
Felicity continued on as the base photographer, and Westley, with Dakota by his side, kept her safe 24/7. He still kept tabs on the training center, though Master Sergeant Caleb Streeter was in command. And he still worked to find the dogs that remained missing. Thirty-two dogs were still unaccounted for, including the prized four German shepherds. Searching for the dogs and protecting Felicity kept him busy. Guarding Felicity around the clock brought him immense joy marred only by the anxiety of the missing dogs.
This morning, Lieutenant General Hall had called this meeting out of well-known frustration. Boyd Sullivan was still at large. And the identity of his accomplice, someone here on base, remained a mystery.
“Special Agent Davison,” Lieutenant General Hall said as he turned to the man on his right. “Please update us on the Red Rose Killer.”
FBI Special Agent Oliver Davison stood to address the room. “We have conflicting reports all over the state of sightings of Boyd Sullivan. Now we’re getting reports of him being as far away as Louisiana.”
A murmur went through the room.
Lieutenant General Hall pinned his gaze on Captain Justin Blackwood. “And his accomplice?”
Justin planted his hands on the table and said, “We are doing our best to find the person who helped Boyd gain access to the base, sir.”
Lieutenant General Hall’s jaw tightened. “Someone had to have seen something or knows something.” His gaze swept the room, landing briefly on each Security Forces member present. “I want answers, people. I want the base turned inside out and upside down if need be.”
Everyone nodded.
One of the Security Forces members, Lieutenant Preston Flanigan, spoke up. “I still say Zoe Sullivan, Boyd’s half sister, is his accomplice.”
Tech Sergeant Linc Colson leaned forward to stare at the other man. “I’m on it,” he said in a warning tone that left no doubt he was telling the other MP to back off. “If Zoe is his accomplice I will find out.”
Lieutenant General Hall nodded his approval. “All right, then. Dismissed.”
Westley and Felicity filed out with everyone else.
“I need to grab my camera,” she said.
They linked fingers and headed to the photo lab. Once inside he shut the door and took her fully into his arms.
“Another day in paradise,” he said with a smile.
She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. “Every day is paradise with you. And I know here, in your arms, I’ll always be safe.”
“On my watch. Always.”
And she kissed him.
* * * * *
Valerie Hansen
Assignment: Single Mom Surveillance
The Military K-9 Unit series continues
Her serial killer brother’s escaped—and it’s single mom Zoe Sullivan who’s under suspicion! Sgt. Linc Colson trusts two things: his instincts and his Rottweiler K-9 partner, Star—and certainly not the pretty face he’s assigned to monitor. He’s done everything to keep her from getting under his skin—now he must stop those who want to put her six feet under.
Zoe gazed down at the dog. “She’s beautiful.”
“And intelligent and trained to be lethal, if necessary,” Linc cautioned.
“I don’t doubt that for a second.” Meeting Star’s upturned face with a tender look of her own, Zoe dangled the tips of her fingers over the edge of the box. The dog noticed but didn’t seem upset, so she took a chance and wiggled them.
Star had apparently realized she wasn’t a danger because she sniffed Zoe’s fingers, then gave them a quick lick.
“Are you trying to recruit her to the dark side?”
“Not at all. Actually, I’m very impressed with Star. She’s a lot smarter than you security forces people are. She’s already decided I’m one of the good guys around here.”
“Then it’s a good thing she’s not the one in charge.”
* * *
This is a story of redemption and forgiveness. Even when our past is troubled, there is always hope, always a way to go on. Personally, I don’t know how anyone copes daily without a saving faith in Jesus Christ. He has brought me through many trials when I saw only dark clouds and imagined no rainbows, no possibilities of future happiness.
The struggles of Zoe and Linc were intensified because they both dwelled on an unhappy past rather than accepting the new chance for love that was awaiting them. We can’t go back and fix mistakes—and would probably make things worse if we tried. Each challenge is a way to learn and grow, each new day a precious gift. We only need to accept God’s love and forgiveness, trust Him and willingly place the rest of our lives in His care.
I can be reached by email at [email protected], or via my website, www.valeriehansen.com.
Blessings,
Valerie
