Terri Reed - Mission To Protect

Surprised, Felicity looked up to find Westley waiting on the walkway with Linc, Star at his heels.

Westley’s touch was gentle but she shrugged off his hand, hating that he’d glimpsed her clumsiness. “I’m good.”

“We dropped Tiger off at the training center,” Westley told her as he fell into step with her. Linc, Star and Ian walked behind them.

They headed inside the base-command building. The four-story structure housed the administration staff as well as the photo lab and the OSI offices. Stepping into the elevator, Felicity felt dwarfed by the three men.

Even the dog made her feel tiny.

Ian, on her right, was several inches taller than her five-foot-six-inch frame, while Westley stood at least six feet tall. Behind her, Linc towered above her and Star’s breath created a hot spot on the back of her leg.

Silly. She hadn’t suddenly shrunk, but she stood straighter, as if an extra inch would matter. But once again, her world had been shaken and being average height wasn’t enough. She wanted to be taller and stronger to better protect herself, her coworkers and the dogs.

The elevator doors swooshed open. All three men and the dog waited for her to exit before falling into step behind her. It was like leading a procession of three giant trees as they approached the base commander’s office.

His assistant met them in the reception area and led them to a conference room.

“Staff Sergeant Monroe,” Brenda said with a soft smile directed at Felicity, “I’m glad to see you safe and sound.”

Felicity kept her expression neutral, but inside she cringed. She was trained by the best in the air force, but so were Tamara, Landon and Chief Master Sergeant Lockwood, who’d all died last night. “Thank you, ma’am,” she replied politely.

“Lieutenant General Hall will see you now.” She opened the door to the conference room and announced them.

“Come in.” Lieutenant General Hall rose from where he sat at the end of the long oval conference table. Tall and imposing, with his back ramrod-straight, the base commander was a force to be reckoned with. Felicity’s dad had thought highly of the officer. They were on the same bowling team. Lieutenant General Hall had given the eulogy at her father’s funeral. The reminder had her swallowing several times to ease the ominous tightening in her throat.

After Lieutenant General Hall returned their salute, he said, “At ease.”

Felicity dropped her salute and took a position with her hands tucked at her back. Her gaze landed on another man, who had risen from his seat at the table. He was dressed in a grey business suit, but something about him led her to believe this wasn’t a man to trifle with. His green eyes regarded her with curiosity and speculation.

Lieutenant General Hall resumed sitting, as did the stranger. The lieutenant general’s intense grey eyes landed on Westley for a moment then moved to Felicity. “Do you know why I asked to see you?”

Refocusing on Lieutenant General Hall, she said, “Sir, I assume because of the Red Rose Killer.”

“Yes. It seems Boyd Sullivan is back.” There was no mistaking the hard edge of anger in his tone. “He’s killed three people so far.”

Another wave of grief hit her. “Yes, sir. I’d heard that.”

She needed to see Maisy and offer her what comfort she could. Though having just lost her own father, Felicity knew there wasn’t much comfort to be had. Losing a parent was devastating.

Lieutenant General Hall tented his fingers. “We just received word that more people have received a rose and note like the one found in your mailbox.”

Felicity sucked in a sharp breath. “Who, sir?”

“We’ll get to that,” he said. “First, I’d like to introduce you to Special Agent Oliver Davison of the FBI.”

Oliver rose and nodded. “Since this is a federal case, I will be working with OSI and base security.”

Ian stepped forward and shook Oliver’s hand. “Glad to have the backup.”

Felicity exchanged a confused glance with Westley. Why were she and her boss included in this meeting?

A knock sounded. Brenda opened the conference-room door. “Captain Blackwood and Lieutenant Webb have arrived, sir.”

The two men, along with their canine partners, walked in. Brenda retreated and closed the door behind her.

The dogs sat at attention while the men saluted.

Lieutenant General Hall returned the salute and instructed them to relax.

As the only female soldier in a room full of handsome and higher-ranking men, Felicity’s shoulder muscles tensed. But she would not allow herself to be intimidated. This wasn’t the first time she’d been surrounded by men, nor would it be the last.

It’s a man’s world. You’ll never fit in. Her mother’s words when she’d learned that Felicity had enlisted echoed through her mind, but Felicity refused to accept her mother’s pronouncement. Sure, Felicity had experienced some sexism over her four years of service, but it only made her more determined to prove herself worthy.

Westley stepped closer to her side. The overwhelming sense of camaraderie his nearness generated surprised her. He may be miserly with his praise and exacting in his teaching style, but her boss had her back. Which was confusing, distracting and, she had to admit, comforting.

“All of you take a seat,” Lieutenant General Hall instructed.

When Westley moved to pull out a chair for her, she gave him a pointed look. He retreated but nonetheless sat in the chair beside her. The last thing she needed was him showing her deferential treatment because she was in danger.

Or was it because she was a woman? Did he see her that way?

She narrowed her eyes at him. No, that couldn’t be. He was too hard on her at work for her gender to be an issue.

He raised a questioning eyebrow.

She refused to be coddled by anyone, especially Westley. She looked away.

The other men took seats, with the dogs settling behind their chairs. Ian remained standing.

“We’re waiting for a few more people,” General Hall said. “Would anyone like some water? Coffee?”

Everyone declined the offer.

A few moments later, Brenda escorted in three women.

When Maisy Lockwood walked in, Felicity’s heart jumped. The preschool teacher’s pretty eyes were red-rimmed and her countenance, usually so cheerful, was somber. Felicity gripped her chair’s arms and fought for the self-control not to rush to her friend’s side.

Behind Maisy came First Lieutenant Vanessa Gomez in her green nursing scrubs. Her dark hair was caught up in a clip at the back of her head and her brown eyes glowed with worry. Last to file in was Airman Yvette Crenville, the base nutritionist. The willowy blonde stopped and, with one look at those gathered in the room, seemed ready to bolt. There was no mistaking the pinch of fear in her pretty face.

After the formal greetings, the three women took seats at the table.

Lieutenant General Hall’s gaze filled with sympathy. “Miss Lockwood, we are all grieving over the loss of your father.”

Maisy sniffed and nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

Lieutenant General Hall’s gaze moved to Vanessa and Yvette. “Thank you also for coming in. You both, along with Staff Sergeant Monroe, received a red rose and threatening note from Boyd Sullivan, aka the Red Rose Killer.”

Stunned, Felicity turned her gaze to the other women. After Felicity’s date with Boyd, he’d moved on to Yvette, who’d also been in their BMT. The pair had dated until his discharge, when she’d publicly broken up with him. But as far as Felicity knew Vanessa, a critical care nurse, had no connection to Boyd. She’d been in officer training at the time.

“Base security will be on high alert, especially at the preschool, hospital and base housing,” Lieutenant General Hall said.