good CID agent had a list of enemies. Becca was no different. Yet she hadn’t been forthright about any investigation or arrests that ended badly. Call it his sixth sense, but he distinctly felt she was holding something back.
Jacob? He had heard her mention the name last night, yet she’d denied it.
While searching the trailer today, she’d been like a coon dog hot on the prey’s trail. Only they had uncovered nothing of interest, not even a shred of evidence that would raise suspicion. Brody Goodman, one of the other special agents, had checked into Arnold’s past. The man’s record was lily-white. No arrests. No trouble with the law. Not even a traffic violation. He served as a deacon in his church and was voted favorite coach of his son’s Little League.
Yet Becca had insisted if they looked long enough, something would be uncovered, and when they returned to post empty-handed, she’d seemed withdrawn and mildly agitated. Perhaps she had hoped Arnold would be found culpable to take the heat off her. The project manager might have stumbled upon the perp, but Arnold wasn’t the reason the guy had been hiding in the BOQ in the first place. Seemed logical that he’d been there because of Becca. Which Colby had mentioned, and she had tried to refute.
He pulled to a stop at an intersection and thought back to her clipped speech and guarded eyes. Becca was an unknown entity. She had transferred from an overseas assignment and had never served previously with any of the Fort Rickman special agents. As much as Colby wanted to believe she was competent, she could be involved in something suspect.
The light changed. He picked up his cell and tapped in the number for CID Headquarters. Sergeant Raynard Otis answered. “Ray, put me through to the boss.”
Once Wilson came on the line, Colby filled him in on the clean search of Arnold’s trailer. “Sir, I’m concerned Special Agent Miller may have been the targeted victim of the explosion as you mentioned last night.”
“Have you discussed your suspicions with her?”
“She’s quick to discard the idea, which makes me concerned about her personal safety.”
“I wanted her to work with you, Colby. Is that a problem?”
“Ah, no, sir.”
“I realize this puts you in a difficult position. Especially if she’s unwilling to realize she might be in danger. Keep tabs on her as best you can until we have a better picture of what happened last night. From the short time she’s been with us, it’s evident she guards her privacy. Make sure her self-sufficiency doesn’t get her into trouble. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes, sir.”
Colby disconnected and made a U-turn when the light changed. Wilson was right. He’d put Colby in a difficult position. Keep Becca safe when Becca didn’t think she was in danger. Worse than that, she probably didn’t want him around.
Approaching the Lodge, he noticed her silver Honda turn out of the parking lot, heading toward the main gate. Could be a long day if she was like his sisters and planned to spend time shopping.
Colby hadn’t expected to play bodyguard to another CID agent. A waste of taxpayer money, in his opinion, but Wilson was in charge so he would comply.
Just so Becca didn’t spot the tail.
Leaving post, she increased her speed and took a road that bypassed Freemont. He glanced down at his gas gauge relieved that he’d filled up at the Post Exchange gas station two days ago. Settling into his seat, he hung back a number of car lengths and accelerated to keep up with her. At the speed she was driving, Becca seemed determined to get somewhere fast.
Maybe she wasn’t heading for the mall after all.
Colby programmed a selection of music CDs that filled the Chevy with country songs about lost loves and broken hearts. He sang along and tapped his hand against the steering wheel in time to the music.
Becca seemed oblivious to his tail, which concerned him. She should have been more observant. Wilson had been right. She needed someone to watch her back. Colby planned to do exactly that.
Nearly two hours passed before she slowed her speed. A road sign welcomed them to Harmony, Alabama. Becca drove to the center of town, turned onto a side road and braked to a stop in front of a small one-story ranch.
Colby pulled to the curb in front of a neighbor’s house on the opposite side of the street. Turning off the ignition, he scooted down in the seat and watched Becca scurry along the sidewalk to the modest home. She glanced over her shoulder before she knocked.
He slumped down farther. The last thing Colby wanted was for Becca to realize she was under surveillance.
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