Battle Tested Read online

  “Is she one of the training dogs?” Isaac asked.

  Kyle shook his head. “No microchip. But I’m concerned there may be a link between this dog and the person who let the others go.”

  Isaac didn’t like the sound of that.

  Kyle took the puppies into an examination room to assess their condition. He returned a short while later with good news.

  “They’re all surprisingly healthy, and they look to be about four weeks old.” He glanced at Vanessa and Aiden as he continued, “I’ll give you some supplies you’ll need to foster them, okay?”

  “That would be great,” Vanessa agreed.

  Isaac had noticed how protective Aiden was of the puppies, and hoped Vanessa was making the right decision allowing him to help foster them. Not that he thought Aiden would hurt them in any way, but Isaac knew how horrible it was to be separated from an animal you’d bonded with.

  He missed Beacon with an all-consuming intensity. For several days, after Beacon had saved his life in Afghanistan by dragging him by the back of his flight suit away from the burning chopper, he and the dog had hidden together in enemy territory while waiting to be rescued. Losing his best friend and Beacon’s handler, Jake Burke, had been horrible. During those endless hours after the crash, Beacon had been his only source of comfort. Although even Beacon’s reassuring presence couldn’t keep his guilt at bay.

  Then the USAF search-and-rescue chopper had arrived. The pilot had done a routine flyby, then circled around to land on a small level spot close to where he and Beacon had holed up. Getting into the chopper hadn’t been easy, but by the time the rebels had begun firing at them, the pilot had gotten them airborne.

  At first, he’d been overjoyed at being rescued, but when they’d landed in Kabul and he was separated from Beacon, his whole world had come crumbling down.

  Not only had he failed Jake by crashing the chopper that caused his buddy’s death, but he’d failed in keeping Jake’s K-9 as he’d promised when they’d first begun flying together. Six months of red tape and politics and he still didn’t have Beacon home.

  But tomorrow was the day. Less than twenty-four hours and he’d have Beacon home where he belonged.

  I’m trying, Jake. Just like I promised. I’ll bring Beacon home!

  Before the crash that had taken his buddy’s life, he might have reached out to God for solace. But not anymore. These days, he didn’t feel much like talking to God.

  “We’re ready to go,” Vanessa said, pulling him from his troubling thoughts. “Isaac? Is everything okay?”

  He nodded and cleared his throat. “Yep. All set.”

  Aiden had obviously delegated himself the primary caregiver as he picked up the box of puppies again and waited for Vanessa to get the door.

  Vanessa’s SUV had plenty of room for the three of them and the two dogs Eagle and Tango, not to mention the box of squirming puppies. Aiden kept the box on his lap the entire time, unwilling to let the puppies out of his sight.

  Interesting how the Doberman stayed close to Vanessa’s side, obviously trained to protect her. If that was the case, why hadn’t she brought the dog to the hospital with her? Granted, an intensive care unit probably wasn’t an appropriate place for a dog, but surely under the circumstances an exception could be made for Vanessa’s safety.

  Aiden took the puppies inside and began feeding them, using the commercial formula provided by Kyle. He’d barely gotten settled when there was a sharp knock at the door. Vanessa answered it, looking surprised to see the head of the Security Forces standing there, his tall male Malinois named Quinn at his side.

  “Why didn’t you answer your phone?” Captain Justin Blackwood asked as he shouldered his way inside. Quinn stayed close, well trained enough not to react to the other dogs.

  “Oh, I left my bag in the car while we were at the vet’s office,” she said with a guilty wince. “Sorry about that.”

  Justin scowled, glancing between Isaac and Vanessa. “Tell me what happened at the hospital.”

  Vanessa glanced over her shoulder, then gestured for the men to come into the living room. “I don’t want my brother to hear this.”

  “Fine, but I need details,” Justin insisted.

  Isaac crossed his arms over his chest as Vanessa explained how she took a shortcut out of the hospital, going through the hallway containing offices to get to the other side of the building closest to the front entrance when the lights went out and strong hands grasped her around the neck.

  Hearing her talk about the attack she’d suffered made Isaac angry all over again. Justin’s expression turned grim as he inspected the red marks around her throat, already beginning to bruise.

  “Did he say anything?” Justin asked.

  Vanessa nodded. “I asked why and he said, ‘Because you’re in my way.’”

  “In the way?” Isaac repeated. “Doesn’t make sense. In the way of what?”

  She shrugged her shoulder. “I don’t know. In the way of his mission to eliminate the people who wronged him?”

  “Then what happened?” Justin asked, looking at Isaac.

  He and Justin knew each other from when they’d attended the Air Force Academy, but at the moment, he understood his friend was in charge of the ongoing investigation.

  “I heard what sounded like a scuffle in the darkness and called out to see what was going on,” Isaac said, relating his side of the story. “I found the light switch and turned it on in time to see Vanessa fall to the floor and a guy wearing black disappear down the stairwell. I made sure she was all right and left Tango with her, before going after him. Unfortunately, he was long gone.”

  “No description?” Justin asked, his blue eyes intense.

  “Medium height and build. He wore a ski mask that covered his head so I can’t tell you his hair color.” Isaac shrugged. “I wish I could be more help.”

  Justin raked his hand across his short blond hair and let out a heavy sigh. “No proof that Sullivan is the assailant.”

  Vanessa bristled. “Boyd sent me a red rose. Who else has a grudge against me?”

  Justin lifted a brow. “You were the one who said that you helped Boyd by providing first aid to him. Why would he have a score to settle with you?”

  Vanessa’s dark eyes flashed with anger. “I don’t know, but I didn’t attack myself, Captain.”

  “Come on, Justin, you know she didn’t,” Isaac added. “I saw him. And if I hadn’t shown up, she’d be dead.”

  Justin let out a heavy sigh. “You’re right. The marks on her neck are for real, so that means somewhere deep in Boyd’s twisted mind, he’s decided to come after her.”

  “And nearly killed her,” Isaac added.

  “I know, I know.” Justin sounded tense.

  Isaac arched an eyebrow at his friend. “Can you offer her round-the-clock protection?”

  “I can have someone stationed outside the house at night, but we’re short staffed so I don’t have someone available to follow her around all day.”

  “I can protect her during the day.” The offer popped out of his mouth before he had a chance to consider the consequences.

  “I’m not sure that’s necessary,” Vanessa protested.

  “I’ll take whatever help you can give us,” Justin said, ignoring her protest. “I’ll keep someone stationed outside the house from nineteen hundred hours until zero seven hundred.” He turned toward Vanessa. “You’re probably safe enough here at home with Eagle during the day, but don’t go anywhere alone, and keep Eagle close, too. Dobermans are instinctively protective.”

  “Nessa?” Aiden’s voice from the doorway drew their attention. The young man cradled a puppy in his arms and stared at his sister with fear in his eyes. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing to worry about, Aiden.” Vanessa crossed over to give her brother a hug. “Just extra protectio
n for a while, no big deal.”

  Aiden didn’t look as if he believed her, and Isaac didn’t blame the kid. Vanessa was a lousy liar.

  It was clear that Vanessa’s life being in jeopardy impacted her brother in a big way. Isaac suspected if anything happened to her, Aiden wouldn’t be able to handle it.

  And even though he’d only just met Vanessa tonight, Isaac wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle it, either.

  THREE

  “How are the puppies doing?” Vanessa crossed the living room to stand next to her brother. “We have to think of names for them.”

  Thankfully, Aiden’s attention was diverted by the active pup in his arms as she’d hoped. “I was thinking about naming them after national parks. The two females could be Denali and Shenandoah, the males Smoky and Bryce.”

  “Those are awesome names.” Vanessa stroked the puppy he held, wondering how they’d be able to tell them apart.

  “You’re in danger from Boyd Sullivan, aren’t you?” Aiden asked abruptly.

  She looked into her brother’s mature-for-his-years gaze and knew she couldn’t lie. “Yes. I’m afraid so. But Captain Blackwood is going to keep a cop stationed here at the house at night, so there’s really nothing to worry about.”

  “You need to keep Eagle close from now on,” he said, his tone full of reproach. “Even at the hospital.”

  “I will.” She forced a smile, knowing that Eagle wouldn’t be allowed in an intensive care unit. “Do you need help feeding the rest of the litter?”

  Aiden shook his head. “No, thanks.” He looked at Isaac and Justin for a moment. “Make sure she’s safe,” he said, before disappearing into the kitchen.

  “He’ll be okay,” Isaac said, reassuringly. “Just because he’s struggling with an illness doesn’t make him helpless.”

  “I know, but at twenty he’s already been through so much...” Her voice trailed off as she glanced back at Aiden before joining the two men and the K-9 beside Justin. “Anything else you need from me?”

  “Tell me more about this injured female dog that’s at the veterinary clinic,” Justin said with a frown. “It might be connected to our investigation.”

  “Captain Roark said she isn’t from the training center,” Isaac said. “The mother is a chocolate Lab, and the puppies appear to be a mix. Although he did mention there may be a link between this dog and the missing four from the training center.”

  “I have to agree,” Justin said thoughtfully. “In speaking with Gretchen Hill, the newest trainer on Westley’s staff, she thinks it’s possible the Olio Crime Organization may be involved with the dognapping. Three dogs are still missing, but when Patriot was returned, her collar had the letters POCO engraved on it. It’s probably not a coincidence that the last three letters stand for Olio Crime Organization. Maybe even Property of Olio Crime Organization. I wonder if the injured chocolate Lab belonged to them at some point.”

  Vanessa’s stomach clenched. “We assumed she was attacked by an animal, like a coyote, and Captain Roark agreed based on her wounds. Besides, how would someone from the Olio Crime Organization get on base? Fake ID? Or help from someone inside?”

  “Anything is possible,” Justin admitted. “A stretch, but possible. After all, it’s looking more and more like the missing dogs were taken off base.” He shrugged. “Right now, I can’t see how the injured Lab would be linked, but I need to keep an open mind. There could be a connection.”

  She shivered at the horrible thought. “I’m sure it’s a coincidence. We know coyotes have gotten on base, so it’s likely she was injured protecting her pups. I doubt her presence on base is the result of foul play.”

  “Yeah, you could be right.” Justin’s tone lacked conviction.

  There was a moment of silence before Isaac glanced at his watch. “It’s late, we should go.”

  Justin nodded. “Don’t forget, Vanessa, you’ll have a cop stationed outside your house at night, and don’t go anywhere alone. I placed a call while you were speaking with Aiden, and someone should be arriving any minute now.”

  “Understood.” She walked the two men and their respective K-9s to the front door, Eagle staying close at her side. “Thanks,” she said, glancing at Isaac. “For everything you did for me tonight. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just let me know.”

  A hint of a smile played at the corner of Isaac’s mouth. “You’re welcome.” He paused, then added, “If you’re not working tomorrow, maybe you’d be willing to go with me to meet Beacon’s flight. It’s due to arrive at fourteen hundred hours.”

  “I’m off tomorrow and would love to go. The idea of sitting around my house all day isn’t at all appealing.” She was touched that he’d asked, although she told herself not to read more into the offer than what it was at face value. A friend inviting a friend along to meet a plane, nothing more.

  “Great, I’ll stop by to pick you up.” Isaac smiled again, then turned and followed Justin out to the street, jumping into Justin’s jeep beside him.

  She stood in the doorway for a long moment, her hand resting on Eagle’s silky head, watching as the red taillights of the jeep vanished into the darkness. She gave Eagle a few minutes out in the yard to do his business, then called him back inside.

  A tall man with a Security Forces badge on his chest and navy blue beret on his head stepped up beside the doorway, offering a quick salute. “Everything okay, ma’am?”

  “Of course. Good night.” She returned the salute and ducked back inside. When Eagle joined her, she closed and locked the door behind her.

  Aiden was still in the kitchen with the puppies, calling them by name as he worked on potty training. He took them out of the box and placed them on a spread of newspaper, praising them as they did their business.

  “Good boy, Bryce. Denali, you’re doing great, too. Shenandoah, stay on the paper, please. Smoky, you’re a rock star. Nice job.”

  Watching her brother interacting positively with the pups filled her with hope and encouragement for his future.

  Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayers!

  “Are you going to keep them in the kitchen for the rest of the night?” she asked, when all four pups had been cared for and the newspaper mess cleaned up.

  “I’ll stretch out on the sofa for a while, keep the box nearby.” Aiden didn’t meet her gaze and she knew that he often slept in the living room with the light on in an effort to minimize the nightmares.

  “Let me know if you need help,” she said. “Otherwise I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Aiden nodded. She turned toward her bedroom when he called out, “Nessa?”

  She looked over her shoulder. “What?”

  “That guy, Isaac, is he going to be hanging around often?”

  She hesitated, unsure how to respond. “We’re just acquaintances, that’s all. I only just met him today. Isaac has been suffering from nightmares and flashbacks, too, Aiden, just like you. We’re not going to get involved, if that’s what you’re asking. Tomorrow the dog who saved his life will be returning to base, so I’m going along to support him while he picks Beacon up. I hope you don’t mind, especially since Isaac seems determined to protect me.”

  Aiden shrugged. “I’m glad you won’t be alone, but I don’t want him to hurt you, the way that Leo guy did.”

  She was surprised to realize Aiden had heard about her brief, misguided relationship with Leo Turner, an Air Force captain and one of the physicians she worked with at the hospital. She must have mentioned him during their FaceTime sessions while Aiden was overseas.

  It bothered her that now that Aiden was back on base, he’d probably heard the rumors about Leo’s multiple affairs. Her brother had enough to worry about without adding her welfare to the mix.

  “Isaac and I are barely friends,” she repeated firmly, for her brother’s sake and her own. “He just wants t
o help keep me safe, that’s all.”

  Bad enough she’d become the laughingstock of the ICU because she’d been oblivious to Leo’s antics, until she’d seen the evidence for herself.

  She didn’t know if Isaac was the kind of guy to cheat on his girlfriend. What did it matter? She wasn’t interested in a relationship. And Isaac had enough going on in his life, between Beacon’s delayed homecoming and getting better.

  Anything more than friendship would only get in the way.

  * * *

  Isaac had thought for sure he’d have trouble sleeping, considering the way he’d witnessed the attack on Vanessa, but surprisingly, he slept the entire night through.

  He scrubbed a hand over his sandpaper-rough jaw and marveled at how many times he’d slept through the night without being awoken from a nightmare. Months ago, they plagued him nightly. Now he only had them once a week, maybe less.

  Logically, he knew that his issues weren’t just because of Jake’s death and the horrible experience of being shot out of the sky, but a culmination of several treacherous flights over enemy territory, always under fire, yet somehow managing to escape.

  Until that last flight had killed Jake and his copilot, Kevin, leaving only him and Beacon.

  He took several deep calming breaths to keep the memories at bay. Maybe he’d slept well because today was the day Beacon was coming home. The thought made him smile and he bolted out of bed to let Tango outside, then to shower, shave and dress.

  As always, he took care of Tango first, providing the dog food and water, before grabbing a quick bite to eat. As he nursed a cup of coffee, his gaze fell on the reenlistment paperwork sitting in the center of the kitchen table. He pulled it toward him.

  For several long seconds, he stared at the spot where he was supposed to sign his name. He’d have to pass a medical and psychological exam no matter what job he decided to do if he stayed in the Air Force, so why bother filling the stupid thing out? Maybe this was his time to get out of the military.

  And do what?