The Military K-9 Unit Collection. Valerie Hansen
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hated to think about what could happen to the dogs if they made their way off base or deep into the woods or onto the runway. “Everyone on base is helping to bring the dogs in safely.”
“Excellent.” Lieutenant General Hall turned to First Lieutenant Ethan Webb. “What I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave this room.”
“Yes, sir,” Westley murmured in agreement along with the others.
“It seems Sullivan has been busy,” Lieutenant General Hall said. “Either before coming here or shortly after, he visited Baylor marine base and left a rose and note for Lieutenant Jillian Masters.”
Westley’s gaze shot to Ethan, who sat across the table. Jillian was Ethan’s ex-wife, though she’d retaken her maiden name. “Why would she be a target?”
Ethan’s jaw firmed. “Jillian had a run-in with Boyd shortly before his discharge. She’d been on base observing a K-9 seminar I was conducting. This was back when we were married. Boyd tried flirting with her, and it didn’t go over well. Jillian can be...cutting when she wants.”
Westley had only met the woman once. She’d definitely had an edge to her.
“But we don’t know when Sullivan was at Baylor?” Linc said. “He may not be on base now.”
“We can’t assume anything,” the OSI agent, Ian Steffen, stated. “We have five known targets. We need to be vigilant and catch him, if and when, he makes a move.”
Acid churned in Westley’s gut at the thought of Felicity in danger. Granted, she was in the law-enforcement track and trained to take care of herself, but so were Sullivan’s other victims, and yet the fiend had killed three well-trained airmen.
At least with her at the training center, he’d be able to keep an eye on her during the day. He’d ask for permission to send home a German shepherd named Glory to protect her at night. Glory was a fierce dog with great protective instincts.
Hall slammed a palm on the table. “I will not have this maniac running rampant on my base.”
“If I may suggest,” Ian said, “you reassign Staff Sergeant Monroe to a more visible base position, where she will draw Boyd out in the open. Sullivan has to know security will be beefed up at the training center now, especially with two homicides on site.”
Westley’s heart pounded as the agent’s words echoed through the room. “You want to make her a sacrificial lamb?” The thought of deliberately putting her in harm’s way made his blood run cold.
“You don’t think she’s up to the task?” Ian asked, his tone soft but intense.
Westley didn’t doubt Felicity’s abilities. He just didn’t like tempting danger. Not when that danger was in the form of Boyd Sullivan, a man who had already killed eight people. “No. I mean, she’ll be safer at the training center.”
Ian arched an eyebrow. “Duly noted. However, of the three female targets, she’s the only one in the law-enforcement track.”
Lieutenant General Hall sat back and rubbed his chin. “The base photographer is being transferred to another assignment. Does Staff Sergeant Monroe know her way around a camera?”
“I can answer that, sir,” Ian said. “I know for a fact that she does. Her father’s office was covered with photos she’d taken.”
Westley had seen her with a nice camera on numerous occasions, taking pictures of the dogs. And he’d seen the images. Though she’d claimed photography was a hobby, as far as he was concerned, her work was professional-grade.
But Westley couldn’t protect Felicity if she wasn’t at the training center. Responsibility weighed heavy on his shoulders. Knowing he was going out on a very thin and fragile limb, Westley met the OSI agent’s gaze. “I want to be detailed to her protection.”
Ian studied him with speculation in his eyes. “I see no issue with that.”
Surprised at the lack of argument from the agent, Westley went even farther out on the limb and addressed the lieutenant general. “And I want a dog to be with her at all times. Even at night.” Asking for something that traditionally wasn’t allowed was risky. Every military working dog was a valuable asset and when not deployed was kept in the kennels at the training center.
Lieutenant General Hall studied him for a moment. “Okay. I will allow it. Use the dogs as needed during this situation.” He sat back. “Then it’s settled. Staff Sergeant Monroe will be transferred to the photo lab under my command.” Lieutenant General Hall zeroed his gaze on Westley. “And you will be detailed to her protection along with a canine.” Lieutenant General Hall turned to Justin. “You good?”
Justin nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Westley sucked in a quick breath of triumph and nervousness. That meant he was going to be Felicity’s shadow 24/7. Keeping an emotional distance when they’d be so close would be harder.
But if he failed to protect her, she could be the next victim. He couldn’t allow that to happen. Wouldn’t allow it to happen. If anything happened to Felicity, he’d crumble beneath the weight of guilt.
He’d walk on coals if need be. Anything to protect her.
“She will be your responsibility to keep safe, Master Sergeant James.” Lieutenant General Hall’s gaze narrowed. “Are you up to the task?”
Pulse spiking, Westley nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Game on.
The door to the conference room opened, drawing Felicity’s attention away from Maisy. Westley stepped into the hall and beckoned Felicity back inside.
“Just a second,” she called to him. Turning to Maisy, she said, “Did you drive over?”
Maisy nodded. “Yes.” She rose and hitched her purse higher on her shoulder. “I have to get to church to teach my Sunday school class.”
“Are you sure you’re up for that?”
“Yes. I need to be with the kids.” Maisy hugged Felicity. “Be careful.”
“You, too.” Felicity stepped back. “I’ll call you later.”
Maisy smiled and hurried out of base command.
Squaring her shoulders, Felicity met Westley at the door. The hard light in his eyes didn’t bode well and a hundred thoughts—none of them good—raced through her mind.
“Is everything okay?” she whispered.
He didn’t reply. Instead he stepped aside so she could reenter the conference room. She held her salute until the base commander told her to relax.
Lieutenant General Hall regarded her steadily. “I understand you know how to work a camera.”
Surprise washed through her. “Yes, sir.”
“Excellent. You are being reassigned to the photo lab effective immediately.”
“Excuse me?” Felicity stared at the lieutenant general then her gaze darted to Westley. His inscrutable expression irked her. Had he signed off on this transfer? She didn’t want to leave the training center. She wanted to work with the dogs. Was this photo-lab assignment some sort of punishment? Had Westley used the situation as an opportunity to have her removed from the training center?
Lieutenant General Hall held up a hand. “Now, hear us out.” He nodded at the OSI agent.
Ian tipped his chin at her. “Of the potential victims, you’re the only one trained to handle the likes of Boyd Sullivan.”
His words sounded like a compliment. Still, confusion pounded at her temples. She glanced around the room at the men seated at the