This won’t take a minute.”
After wending his way between tables, Linc stepped outside as he was connecting. “Captain Blackwood. This is Colson. I’m still with Sergeant Sullivan and in view of what was involved in this morning’s incident at her apartment, we were wondering if that same artificial blood could have been used in the shooting she witnessed at the warehouse.”
Silence on the line worried Linc until he heard his captain clear his throat. “You may be right. It’d be hard to tell at this point, though.”
“It doesn’t leave trace evidence?”
“Not that remains discernible. What we collected this morning was a homemade concoction instead of one of the professional brands the movies use. That kind lights up when we spray luminal. This stuff was made of food you’d find in most kitchen cupboards, as I said. Anything that landed on the ground outside was probably eaten by insects almost immediately.”
“Hmm. Too bad. Zoe’s going to be disappointed.”
Blackwood’s voice rose. “What did you say?”
“Sergeant Sullivan will be disappointed.”
“No. You called her by her first name, Colson. I hope you remember that you are with her as a duty assignment.”
“Yes, sir. Of course, Captain. It’s just that—”
He was cut off. “No excuses. I know Master Sergeant James suggested that you befriend her, but that doesn’t mean you should actually become personally involved. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir. Crystal clear.” And almost totally unacceptable, Linc added to himself. Personally involved? Oh, yeah. It was already too late to prevent that. So how was he going to obey orders and still guard Zoe to the degree necessary?
That was a good question. Too bad he didn’t have a good answer. Linc clenched his jaw muscles. He not only did not have a feasible idea, he didn’t even have a poor one.
Turning on his heel, he straight-armed the restaurant door and returned to Zoe. Yes, Zoe, he affirmed. He’d have to take care to use her rank and last name when speaking to others, but in private, she was going to be Zoe.
Besides, he added, feeling his cheeks warming as their eyes met, he liked her, and Zoe was what he wanted to call her. What he would call her.
Linc smiled, rejoined her to report on the call and once again began to eat. The meal was cool and less appetizing than it had been but he was determined to finish so his companion would, too. She’d been picking at her food and he wanted her to keep up her energy.
“How about dessert?” Linc asked when she failed to follow his example.
Zoe shook her head and gave him a fond look that practically melted his heart. Why did he care so much? What in the world was wrong with him? Here he was, ready to defy a direct order and actually desiring chances to do so. That was more than stupid. It was insane.
Looking for a suitable diversion, Linc waved their waitress over.
“More sweet tea?” the young woman asked.
“Not for me. Zoe?”
“No, thanks.” She sat back and pushed her plate away. “I’m finished.”
“Then we’ll have three slices of apple pie to go,” he said. “And the bill.”
“You remembered Freddy,” Zoe said softly.
“Of course, I did. How could I forget Star’s little buddy? I should have asked you if it was okay, though. Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. It’s more than okay,” Zoe told him. “Way more. You’d be surprised how many adults overlook children.”
“Your son’s hard to overlook,” Linc quipped. “He’s a really special little guy.”
The expression on Zoe’s face made him wonder how he had upset her. She’d seemed a tad down in the dumps during their meal, but now she looked as if she might cry. Should he ask? Or should he go on as if he hadn’t noticed?
Linc opted for the latter. He stood up and dropped a tip on the table. “We can settle up and get the pie at the register,” he said. “Come on. It’s time we checked in on Star again.”
With a protective hand at her waist, he ushered her through the restaurant. The urge to keep her close was almost as strong as his determination to use her first name. Worse, he wasn’t merely thinking of her as Zoe, he was seeing her as his Zoe. And there was no way he could talk himself out of it.
* * *
Seeing Star being her old self again made Zoe happy, but that was nothing compared to Linc’s reaction. He was so overjoyed he was grinning from ear to ear. The exuberant dog obviously felt the same, because she was doing her version of the Texas two-step at his feet.
Zoe laughed. “I think she’s happy to see you.”
“Yeah.” He tousled the recovered K-9’s ears and laughed at her antics. “Something tells me she’s ready to go back to work.”
“Won’t she be scared of being hurt again?” Zoe asked.
Captain Roark agreed. “Good point. How about a short retraining session? I’m sure we can find a volunteer to wear the bite sleeve.”
“I’d rather send her after the real thing, but you’re right. It would be a good idea. I’ll check in with Caleb Streeter at the training center and set it up.” He continued to pet the excited dog. “You sure she’s ready for that much running this soon?”
“Absolutely.” Roark smiled at Zoe. “And I owe you a puppy therapy session.”
Although the idea appealed, she demurred. “Can I get a rain check? I’d rather come with my son and he’s in day care during the week.”
“Absolutely. Just let me know when you want to visit and I’ll see that you and your son get the full tour.”
“Thanks.” Glancing at Linc, she couldn’t help smiling. “I think they’re glad to be back together.”
“True. How are things going for you?”
She was touched that someone else was expressing concern. “Pretty good, considering. I still feel terrible that Star was hurt on my behalf.”
“They’re working dogs,” Roark said. “We train for all branches of the military, as you probably know. Our K-9s are expected to do their jobs regardless of danger or injury.”
“That sounds like the description of a human soldier.”
Smiling, the vet agreed. “You’re right. And we retire them after their working days are over, too. In fact, I’m waiting for one special case to be returned from overseas so I can check the dog’s health and see if he’s suitable for adoption, but there have been complications.”
Linc straightened, still smiling broadly. “Sounds like the dog Isaac Goddard’s
