get overconfident,” he snapped. “I’ve had not only local military security but also investigators from the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations check things out, and they found nothing definitive. Because of the sensitive nature of what’s being stolen, and the need for a quick resolution, I asked for additional help—and they had you and your buddies assigned to Zimmer. But none of you seems the kind to figure this out fast. A medical doctor, a flight communications officer and some NCOs—who the hell are you?”
“We’re members of Alpha Force, Colonel.” Grace knew that the pride that came through in her tone would only irritate him more. “I know you’ve been told we’re a covert special ops force, sir.” If he only knew how special …
“But nothing more about you,” he asserted belligerently. He was aware, though, that all Alpha Force members who had been sent for this assignment were women, which undoubtedly factored into his attitude. He seemed all old-school military to her.
“No, sir,” she responded politely. “As I said, our operations are covert. But you can always speak with General Greg Yarrow, who oversees our operations. He’ll vouch for us.”
“I’ve already done that. He’s as close-mouthed as you.” The colonel settled back, apparently deciding that confronting her antagonistically wasn’t getting him anywhere. “Okay, tell me about your initial impressions. Did you see anything that might help accomplish your mission as fast as we need it done?”
“Not yet, but I’ll make sure we do our best to bring down the perpetrators as quickly as possible, sir,” she said, purposely obscure.
“I’m sure you will.” The colonel rose, using his bulk to move his chair from beneath his desk. She was clearly about to be dismissed—and was glad. “What’s your next move?”
“I want to retrieve my therapy dog from my assistant and start my visits to the appropriate floors first. Then I’ll check out the infectious diseases wing, start seeing patients soon.”
“Those areas aren’t where you’ll find anything relating to our thefts.” He snapped at her once more, and she swallowed her irritated retort.
“No, sir. But I hope to be of service as a medical doctor, as well as visiting patients with my dog. Both are part of my cover, and as a doctor dealing with infectious diseases I’ll oversee extraction of the kinds of samples from patients that can become biohazards like those that were stolen. I’ll report anything I find of potential interest to you.”
“Yeah, you do that. Meantime, I’ll get you started with your medical duties.” He lifted the receiver on the phone on his desk and pushed a button. “Is he here yet?” he immediately asked whomever answered. “Good. Send him in.” He looked at Grace. “One of our other infectious-disease specialists will take you to that wing and introduce you around, since I assume you didn’t meet anyone there yesterday with all the paperwork you were doing.”
A shudder of warning immediately passed through Grace. It was all she could do to continue just to sit and keep an impassive yet interested expression on her face.
It surely wouldn’t be …
A knock sounded on the closed office door. Whoever was there opened it without waiting for the colonel’s response.
An instant later, a man walked into the room. He was tall, broad-shouldered beneath a white medical jacket similar to Grace’s but much larger. He was great-looking, with longish thick black hair and a sharp facial structure. His straight, dark eyebrows and wide lips underscored his angry-looking scowl as he glanced at her. The look lightened considerably as he turned to the colonel. “Good morning,” he said.
“You ready to show Dr. Andreas around?” Colonel Otis asked.
“Of course.” He turned back toward her. This time, his expression was neutral, but it still sent shivers cascading down Grace’s spine.
It was Simon Parran. He looked even better than he had all those years ago, if that was possible. And she had indeed caught his intriguing masculine scent last night.
Chapter 2
“Hello, Grace.” Simon continued to stride into the room when he saw her. Of course he had expected to see her here. Colonel Otis had ordered Simon to act as her tour guide that day.
For reasons he didn’t want to think about too deeply, he had agreed without objection.
Grace rose from a chair facing the colonel’s desk and turned. Her movements were slow and supple, her expression neutral. “Hi, Simon,” she said in a soft, cool monotone.
“So you’ve met.” Colonel Nelson Otis sounded irritated, as if he’d planned some startling introduction. Like, Parran, you stupid civilian doctor, I want you to meet this pretty lady physician who was smart enough to join the military. Otis had made it clear he held the civilians around here in disdain. “I thought you’d mostly dealt with the clerical staff yesterday, Dr. Andreas,” Otis continued, “filling out forms, reviewing hospital policies and all that.”
“Pretty much.” Grace crossed the room toward Simon. She didn’t mention that they’d met before. A good thing. Otherwise, they might have to explain the circumstances, and that could be uncomfortable even now. She held out her hand for a businesslike shake. “Good to see you again, Simon.”
Her grip was firm, even as her sable-brown eyes flashed with her lie. She’d been one hell of a good-looker back then. Now, she was even more beautiful, if that was possible: slender in her scrubs and medical jacket, with pert facial features including high cheekbones. Her silver-blond hair had been longer before. Now it was styled in a shaggy cut that brushed her eyebrows and skimmed her shoulders. She smelled like flowers, light and fragrant, yet there was also something heavier about her scent. Something damned appealing. And familiar. He’d imagined smelling it again from the moment he’d heard the name Grace Andreas once more. Her lips were pursed, but he suspected they’d still be highly enjoyable to kiss.
Not that he’d ever get the chance to test that theory.
“Good to see you, too,” he said, sorry to realize that he meant it. Many of the times he’d thought of Grace during the years since they’d met in their first term of pre-med studies, he’d wondered if she had followed through, become a doctor. If so, where she practiced. If not, what else she’d done with her life.
He could have found out. The Internet was filled with resources that could tell him.
He purposely hadn’t looked.
“So,” he said, “you ready to go see the Charles Carder Infectious Diseases Center?”
“Sure.” She turned back to the commander and saluted smartly. “Thank you, sir.”
Yeah, Simon got it even before seeing her. She was in the military despite being dressed like him. The idea turned him off—a little, at least. He had joined the medical staff for reasons of his own. It didn’t mean he had to like the fact that this hospital was affiliated with, and run by, the military.
What he did like was its amazingly useful lab facilities. And that he could visit them frequently, with few questions and no impediments.
He opened the door and let Grace walk briskly through the secretary’s area and beyond, into the wide
