Lenora Worth - Classified K-9 Unit Christmas

So the young woman was on the way to the ER and the man was long gone. And from the way the blonde was calling out information and discussing details with the K-9 agents, he’d guess she had to be someone official, too. That and the big dog shadowing her summed it up.

She was an FBI agent. And the dog was obviously her K-9 partner. Off duty and on a run, but now on full speed ahead to find the man who’d tried to kill that girl. A girl she’d obviously tried to save, from what he’d seen.

Before Thomas could corner her, someone shouted out, “Nina, we’ve found another body. That makes two.”

“Coming, Tim.” She whirled like a little cyclone and took off.

Thomas’s gut burned even hotter. Two bodies and one girl shot?

Could the man who’d done this be the assassin he’d come to Montana to find?

* * *

Nina did a final sweep of the scene and then turned to leave for headquarters. She needed to file her report and meet with a sketch artist so they could get an image of the shooter to put out to the local media. The team also now had the gruesome task of helping the medical examiner to identify the two female bodies. They’d already sent out the necessary warnings and alerts to be on the lookout, and she’d talked to SAC Max West a few minutes ago to give him an update. The few agents on holiday duty had come through on doing what needed to be done, and the local sheriff’s department was on it, too.

Now if she could factor in why a US Deputy Marshal had suddenly shown up, she might be able to get home and have a good night’s sleep. No, that wouldn’t happen. She’d seen that gunman’s cold black eyes and heard that poor girl screaming. She should probably stay at headquarters and work tonight.

“Okay, Deputy Marshal Grant,” she said, marching up to the tall, big-boned man wearing the suede jacket and worn jeans. “I’m Agent Nina Atkins from the FBI Tactical K-9 Unit in Billings. What’s your interest in this crime scene? Did you just happen to be in the neighborhood?”

He stared her in the face with a calm scrutiny that made her shiver inside her wicking outerwear. “I happen to be here on a case. Looking for a man who could allegedly be a hired assassin, reported to possibly be last seen in Montana, near Billings. The MO mentioned here tonight sounds like his. I’d hoped you could fill me in so we can compare notes.”

Suspicious, Nina gave him a long once-over while she tried to sum him up. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“I know your unit,” he said. “I was assigned to protecting Esme Dupree earlier this year. She was in the witness protection program, before she bolted on me. I hear she testified against her brother Reginald and that she’s married to one of your team members now.”

Nina gave him another scrutinizing look, surprise sparking through her system. She did hazily recall his name from that investigation, but then being a new member of the team, she hadn’t been front and center on every aspect of the Dupree case, so she’d never met him. Nina felt sure she would have remembered Thomas Grant. “So, Deputy Marshal Grant—”

“Thomas,” he said, his stormy gray eyes still and quiet.

“So, Thomas, tell me more about who you’re looking for and maybe I’ll share what I know.” She turned to go to her SUV, thinking he’d follow her.

When she looked around to check, she found him right behind her. How did he do that without her hearing him?

“Where’re we going?” he asked with a wry smile, and a husky Southern accent that shouted Texas.

“I’m going back to headquarters to finish out this night,” she retorted. “I’ve got to get my partner some food and let him rest. But we can talk after I put Sam in his kennel.”

She hit the fob button and the rear door to the SUV popped open. After letting Sam inside, Nina made sure he had some water and a treat. Then she turned back to Tall, Blond and Intimidating.

She decided to stake her territory. “I need whatever information you have before I can confirm what happened here tonight.”

“Of course. I’ll follow you to headquarters,” he said, not moving.

He looked so relaxed they could be talking about the weather. He wasn’t going to give up.

“Why not tell me here?” she asked.

He glanced around and shrugged. “It’s dark and cold, and if my gut is right...there’s a storm coming. It’s gonna be a long night. I could use some coffee and food. Y’all do have a kitchen there, right?” Then he blocked her in a going-bodyguard way. “Plus, that shooter could be watching.”

Nina blinked, taking in that summary and the way his voice got all gravelly and husky again. This man made her nervous, which was silly. She didn’t do nervous. But if the marshal had information on the person who’d committed this shooting, she didn’t mind spending some time with him. And he had a point.

It wasn’t safe in these woods.

“I’ve got all night,” she said. “Follow me.”

* * *

Thomas did as the lady asked, thinking he’d better not slip up and call her a lady. She’d probably deck him. If he wasn’t so intent on finding Bernard Russo, he could have enjoyed getting to know Agent Nina Atkins a little better.

But that was probably a bad idea on all accounts. They both had dangerous, stressful jobs. One reason he didn’t do long-term dating. That, and him being a nomad of sorts. Women wanted a settle-down kind of guy. He wasn’t that.

And he had a feeling this particular woman wasn’t a settle-down kind of girl, either.

Better to stick to business and get his man so he could decide where to land for the holidays. Hunting and fishing here in Montana, or maybe surfing and sailing in California? Too many options. Thomas thought about that as they traveled up the interstate to Billings.

A few minutes later, he turned into the drive leading to an impressive building in the center of the city. He’d heard the FBI Tactical K-9 Unit occupied two floors here, one for administration purposes and one for training.

Thomas followed Nina’s SUV into a gated garage and found a spot two down from where she parked on the ground-floor level. They walked to the elevator together.

“The few team members we have on holiday duty are in and out,” she explained. “We’ve had some suspicious fires in the downtown area that could be arson, but nothing much else has been going on around here until tonight.”

“Well, if we’re looking for the same man, your holiday duty might get a little more exciting,” he replied, taking in the sight of her in the dull elevator lights.

She was buff and solid muscle, petite but with a stance that didn’t mess around. Her hair shone a deep golden blond and went every which way around her face and neck. Her eyes were expressive and sparkling, a muted brown like apple cider and cinnamon.

Boy, did he have it bad. He needed to date more often. He was latching on to this woman like a puppy trying to form a bond.

Nina straightened from leaning on the elevator wall when the door opened. “I think this holiday season has already gotten exciting. We often have a lot of US Marshals coming around, but never one for Christmas. Santa must have decided I’ve been good this year.”

Thomas had to chuckle at that sarcastic remark. Then he turned serious about what they had ahead of them. “Sorry you had to deal with this,” he said. “I hope that girl makes it.”

The agent gave an appreciative nod. “I’m praying for her to survive. We need to find the man who put a bullet in her shoulder.”

If the man who’d shot that girl was indeed Bernard Russo, then they had a deadly killer to track down. A killer who this feisty agent had seen up close.

He could come after her.