By Request Collection April-June 2016. Оливия Гейтс
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chuckled and set her gently aside to step into the housing unit.
AFTER CHASE HAD CAPTURED and disposed of the harmless beetle, Kate changed into her pajamas and looked over at Tenley. “Do you want a cup of tea? That might help you sleep.”
“Sure, but what I could really use are a couple of those sleeping tablets you wanted me to take last night. I feel too wound up after the concert to sleep.”
“You mean the ones you didn’t take?” Kate asked archly.
“I’ll take them tonight,” she promised, her eyes wide and innocent. “I really need to get some sleep.”
Kate rummaged through her bag until she found the pills and shook two into Tenley’s palm. “Best take them with something to drink.”
“How about having a cup of tea with me?”
“No, thanks. I’m not crazy about tea.” Kate watched as Tenley turned on the kettle. In the next instant, she regretted her decision. She wasn’t about to turn down what appeared to be a peace offering. “You know what? On second thought, I will have that cup of tea. Thanks.”
She sat on the edge of her bunk and brushed out her hair, smiling her thanks as Tenley set her cup down on the bedside table.
“This is nice,” Kate remarked. “It reminds me of the early days when I used to drive you all over the place to do auditions and gigs. Do you remember?”
Tenley smiled. “I remember. At least the hotels we stayed at were better than this place.”
Kate blew on her hot tea and took a sip. “Well, just remember that most of the soldiers here don’t have accommodations as good as these. Most of them are in tents.”
They drank their tea in silence, until Kate yawned and put her cup down on the side table. “I guess I really do need that nap,” she said. “I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Drink the rest of your tea,” urged Tenley.
“No, I’ve had enough, but thanks.” She grimaced. “I was never a big fan of tea and now I know why. It’s too bitter.” Sliding beneath the blankets, she bunched the pillow under her cheek and closed her eyes, sighing blissfully. “Turn out the light, Tens. I’m done.”
A LOUD BANGING WOKE Kate from a deep sleep, and she pushed herself to a sitting position, groaning when she whacked her head on the underside of the top bunk. For a moment, she was disoriented, and scrabbled for the light, flicking it on and blinking in the sudden glare.
Someone was knocking on the door. Pushing back her blankets, she got to her feet and stumbled to answer it. Her head felt fuzzy and her mouth tasted terrible, like bitter tea.
“I’m coming,” she called when the knocking persisted. Opening the door, she found Chase standing on her step. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been coming back every hour to check on you, but when your light never came on, I thought I should knock and make sure you’re okay.” His sharp gaze raked over her, missing nothing. “Are you? Okay?”
“Yes, of course,” she said. “Just tired. What time is it?”
“Nearly 5:00 a.m. You’ve been sleeping for almost ten hours.”
“What? That’s impossible. I just lay down like ten minutes ago!” Whirling around, she checked Tenley’s bunk, and let out a small wail of frustration. “I can’t believe it! She’s gone!”
Chase came into her quarters and closed the door behind him. Cupping her face in his hands, he searched her eyes. “Look at me,” he commanded. “Your pupils are huge. Did you take a sleep aid?”
“No, I never take anything.”
“Did Tenley take a sleep aid?”
“Yes, I gave her two …” Kate stopped speaking, as realization dawned. “Why, that little brat. She must have dumped those caplets into my tea! I wondered why she was being so nice, offering to make me a cup. And it tasted terrible.”
“Well, my recommendation is to wait here until she comes back.”
Kate stared at Chase in astonishment. “No, we have to find her. I want to know who she’s with, Chase. We don’t even know for sure that she’s safe. We need to find her!”
Chase looked grim, and a muscle worked in one cheek. “Fine. But you may not like what you discover.”
“As long as we find Tenley, I’ll be happy.”
Chase opened the door and gave a low whistle, and Charity trotted in, her tail wagging happily when she saw Kate. “Do you have something that Tenley wore recently? A shirt, maybe?”
Kate rummaged through Tenley’s bag until she found the white jeans and top that her sister had worn to the concert earlier that day. “Will these do?”
“Perfect.” Reaching into one of the deep pockets of his camo pants, he withdrew the dog’s lead and snapped it onto her harness. Taking the clothing, he held it to Charity’s nose. “Find.”
Immediately, the dog began to sniff the room, and then turned to the door. Chase looked at Kate. “Put some shoes on and let’s go.”
“She can really smell Tenley?”
“You bet. She can scent a trail up to twenty-four hours after the subject has walked it.”
Kate pulled on her shoes, still not convinced. “Even when her scent is mixed in with so many others?”
“A human loses up to forty thousand skin cells every minute,” he said. “Those particles fall to the ground or get mixed in the air currents. A good tracking dog can distinguish the scent of your skin cells from those of another person.”
Okay, maybe she was a little impressed. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Chase gave Charity a good thirty feet of lead, letting her set the pace. The dog moved quickly, her tail wagging happily. They passed the other housing units and turned down several small alleys, until they found themselves back on the parade field.
“Where is she taking us?” Kate asked.
“Looks like she wants to go to the building behind the stage,” Chase replied.
They followed Charity through the door of the dark building, and into the large room that had served as a lounge for the performers. Chase flicked his flashlight around the room, but it was empty. The dog gave a whine and strained at the leash.
“She wants to go to that anteroom,” Chase said, pulling the dog back toward him. “Wait here while I check it out.”
“Not on your life,” Kate muttered.
Chase wrapped the excess leash around his fist and allowed Charity to lead them to a closed door on the far side of the room. With a warning look at Kate, he put his hand on the doorknob and pushed it open, flashing his light into the dim interior.
Kate heard a startled shriek, and then Chase reached inside and flipped the overhead light on. “She’s here,” he said unnecessarily, stepping back so that Kate could push past him.
Kate stared in disbelief at the sight of her sister curled up on a cot with the young man who had jumped onto the stage the day before. Both of them scrambled to cover their nudity, and Kate looked quickly away.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“Kate!” wailed Tenley. “Why can’t you ever leave me alone?”
Kate could hear both of them getting dressed. Chase stood just outside the door with his eyes straight ahead, and it wasn’t until Tenley walked out of the room that he turned, his attention going to the young man who stood defiantly just inside the room.
“How many sleeping pills did you put in my tea?” Kate asked.
“I