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
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.
—Psalms 46:1–2
Special thanks to former air force sergeant Nancy N. for her advice and to our pastor, John, who also served, as did his son.
Terri Reed, Dana Mentink, Maggie K. Black, Lenora Worth, Lynette Eason, Laura Scott, Shirlee McCoy and I all did our best to support each other’s efforts and learn proper air force protocol for this series. It was difficult, but we gave it our all.
God bless the men and women of our current military who daily give far more and those who have sacrificed in the past to keep us free. We are grateful beyond words.
She was being watched. Constantly. Every fiber of her being knew it. Lately, she felt as though she was the defenseless prey and packs of predators were circling her and her helpless little boy, which was why she’d left Freddy at home with a sitter. Were things as bad as they seemed? It was more than possible, and Staff Sergeant Zoe Sullivan shivered despite the warm spring day.
Scanning the busy parking lot as she left the Canyon Air Force Base Exchange with her purchases, Zoe quickly spotted one of the Security Forces investigators. Her pulse jumped, and hostility took over her usually amiable spirit. The K-9 cop in a blue beret and camo ABU—Airman Battle Uniform—was obviously waiting for her. She bit her lip. Nobody cared how innocent she was. Being the half sister of Boyd Sullivan, the escaped Red Rose Killer, automatically made her a person of interest.
Zoe clenched her teeth. There was no way she could prove herself, so why bother trying? She squared her slim shoulders under her blue off-duty T-shirt and stepped out, heading straight for the Security Forces man and his imposing K-9, a black-and-rust-colored rottweiler.
Clearly, he saw her coming because he tensed, feet apart, body braced. In Zoe’s case, five and a half feet was the most height she could muster. The dark-haired tech sergeant she was approaching looked to be quite a bit taller.
He gave a slight nod as she drew near and greeted her formally. “Sergeant Sullivan.”
Linc Colson’s firm jaw, broad shoulders and strength of presence were familiar. They had met during a questioning session conducted by Captain Justin Blackwood and Master Sergeant Westley James shortly after her half brother had escaped from prison.
Zoe stopped and gave the cop an overt once-over. “Can I help you with something, Sergeant Colson?”
“No, ma’am.”
A cynical smile teased at one corner of her mouth. “Oh? Then why is it you’re always following me? Don’t you ever get a day off?”
“Just doing my job, Sergeant.”
She knew he was right, but it galled her to be the object of futile efforts when base Security Forces could have been using their manpower to figure out who at Canyon Air Force Base was really cooperating with Boyd. How long were they going to continue disrupting her life and work? A wryly humorous thought intruded, and she chuckled.
Colson stared. The muscular K-9 at his side tensed. “What’s so funny?”
Zoe waved her hands in dismissal as best she could with the canvas grocery tote handles looped over her forearms. “Relax, Sergeant. I wasn’t