Elisabeth Rees - Caught In The Crosshairs

* * *

Dean punched in a number at a pay phone. He knew he had to be careful, as this would be a nonsecure line, and he didn’t want to advertise their presence to any unfriendly ears. Cara’s shopping trip had already made him jumpy. He didn’t like her being so visible in a public place, but, thankfully, she had known exactly what items she wanted and purchased them quickly. It came as no surprise to see that all her choices were functional and practical—exactly like her.

The receiver on the other end was snatched up on the first ring.

“Gantry here.”

“Carter, it’s Dean.”

“Dean! Where are you?”

“I’d rather not say right now.”

“We found your jeep. There was blood on a seat. Are you all safe?”

Dean was silent for a moment. “The blood is Hanson’s but she’s okay. Just scratches.”

“What about Gomez and Hicks?”

Dean swallowed hard. “Hicks is gone. He took the full force of the explosion.”

Colonel Gantry exhaled loudly. “We haven’t totally cleared the bomb site yet. The media are all over us, wanting the full story. I’m sorry, Dean. I never knew this would happen.”

Dean leaned against the pay-phone wall. “Make sure his family is looked after. Give them anything they need.”

“I promise we’ll do that, Dean. We really need to piece together what happened out there. You have to come back to base so you can debrief us. I can’t say much on the phone, you know that. We need to talk in person.”

“Carter, someone set us up. I don’t know who, or what, is safe anymore.”

“We know it was a setup. They were prepared, ready for you.” Gantry took a deep breath. “I’m sorry to have to break this news to you, Dean, but intelligence suggests that you are the UFA’s next target. You need round-the-clock protection.”

Dean felt himself reeling in shock. “You know this for sure?”

“Yes, we know for sure.”

He rested his forehead on the wall, letting the news sink in. He was the next target. He and Chris, once the best of friends had now turned bitter enemies, locked in a battle to the death.

He straightened up. “Can you guarantee that Fort Carson can provide total security?” He knew the answer to this question even as the words left his mouth. His base in Colorado Springs was well defended from outside attack, but the real danger was likely to be on the inside.

“You’ll be a lot safer at Fort Carson than taking your chances alone,” Gantry replied. “Wherever you are, you’re vulnerable to another sniper attack.”

Dean’s senses sprang to attention. “How do you know about the sniper? No one from Red Team has debriefed you yet.”

Silence.

“Goodbye, Carter.” Dean placed the receiver firmly back in its cradle. Turning back toward the truck, he saw Cara’s eyes trained on him as he stood on the sidewalk. He knew that her hand was resting on the Glock pistol, already loaded, on the seat beside her. This situation just got a whole lot messier than he ever anticipated. And Cara Hanson was caught in the crosshairs.

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