Explosive Force. Lynette Eason

here. What are you talking about?”

      “In the reserve just beyond the tree line.” He strode toward it, Annie on his heels.

      Heidi went after him, not about to miss out. Had the guy that set the bomb off stayed behind to watch the action?

      But that wouldn’t be smart.

      Then again, where was the rule that said bombers had to be smart? “You think it could be one of the missing dogs?” she called after him.

      Several months ago, after killing two trainers in the Military Working Dog program, Boyd Sullivan had opened all two hundred and seven kennels and released the animals. While the more highly trained dogs had stayed put, one hundred ninety-six dogs, some PTSD therapy dogs—and dogs with PTSD themselves—had escaped. Most had been found and returned to safety, but there were still twenty-one missing.

      Nick reached the tree line and stopped, planting his hands on his hips. Heidi caught up and he shook his head. “No, it wasn’t a dog. This shadow had two legs.”

      “Okay. You see him?”

      “No.” He sighed and rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. “Maybe I’m just imagining things. Like my nerves are so tight it’s causing hallucinations.”

      “But you really don’t believe that, so you want to keep looking, right?”

      He slid a sideways glance at her. “Yes.”

      “Then I’m going with you.”

      “It’s probably nothing.”

      “I’ll just tag along and make that decision myself, okay?”

      “No, not okay. Stay here.”

      “The longer you argue with me, the less likely you are to find out if you saw something.”

      He shot her a black look and turned on his heel to go after whatever it was he thought he saw.

      She shrugged and fell into step beside him, doing her best to ignore the pain in her knees. They were going to be sore for a few days, so she might as well get used to it.

      Usually Heidi didn’t notice how small she was in comparison to the men she worked with on a regular basis, but being next to Nick made her feel positively tiny. And feminine.

      Which was stupid. Okay, not necessarily stupid, but seriously—why was she so hyperaware of him? Why did she notice every little thing about him? Like the way his blue eyes crinkled at the corners when he was amused. Or the way his jaw tightened and his lips flattened into a thin line when he was annoyed. Or how his dark hair was never allowed to grow too long. She shouldn’t notice those things. But she did.

      Nick was no more attracted to her than he was to the tree they’d just walked past, so she really needed to get over whatever it was she felt for him. The last thing she needed was to set herself up for heartbreak.

      “I think he went this way,” Nick said, pulling her from her thoughts.

      She followed even though she didn’t see what he did.

      The farther they got from the kennel and all of the action, the more she thought he’d seen a bird or something. She hoped so, anyway. The adrenaline crash was coming now that the danger was over. It was over, wasn’t it? “You see anything else?”

      “No. I’ve lost sight of him.”

      “So it was definitely a him?”

      “Yes.”

      Before she knew it, they were standing in front of her home. “Wait a minute, he came this way?” she asked.

      “Yeah, that’s what it looked like.”

      “This is my house, Nick.”

      “I’d better check the area. Stay put.”

      “You keep saying that.”

      “And you keep ignoring me.”

      This time she listened and let him do his job. With Annie at his heels, he walked around the left side of her home, then the right, which was next to the home that Staff Sergeant Felicity James shared with her husband, Master Sergeant Westley James. Felicity was still a target of the serial killer, but at least she had her husband to keep an eye out for her. Westley was part of the investigative team looking for Sullivan. A team Heidi really wanted to be a part of.

      Nick returned with a frown.

      “What is it?” she asked.

      “I’m not sure. I thought I saw some footprints in the grassy area along your back fence, but I didn’t see anyone.”

      “I see. That’s a bit concerning, but it could be from anyone walking back there, using it as a shortcut.”

      “I suppose. Could be.”

      “Okay, well, I’m ready to call it a night,” she said.

      “I don’t blame you. I’ll wait here and make sure you get inside safely, then I’ll head back to the training center. I don’t think Annie and I can do much of anything else, but I’ll see if OSI wants us to.”

      “I’ve given my statement, so they know where to find me if they have any more questions for me.”

      “Perfect.”

      He stood there a moment longer, looking down at her as though hesitant to leave. “Are you going to be all right?” he asked.

      “I think so. Why?”

      He glanced around one more time. “I don’t like that we wound up here while we were following him. He disappeared too easily. Too quickly. If what you say is true, that guy got a good look at you.”

      “If it’s true? Really?” She sighed. “I’ll be fine, Nick. Good night.”

      A scuff of a foot just ahead and around the side of her house stopped her.

      Nick turned toward the noise. “What was that?” he asked.

      “I don’t know. Probably nothing.” Maybe. Without thinking, she slipped her hand into his.

      He squeezed her fingers, then released them. “Stay behind me.”

      Not quite ready to argue with him, she followed his order as he and Annie led the way. They walked down the sidewalk in front of Heidi’s home and were almost to the end of the small property when she saw the shadow skirting around the side of her house. “Hey! Can I help you?” she called.

      The shadow took off.

      Nick and Annie followed. The fleeing person wove in and out, between the houses, down alleys. Heidi fell back slightly as she realized there was no way she could keep up with Nick’s long stride.

      She didn’t realize he’d stopped until she was almost next to him. Nick had the guy close to being boxed in a corner with no escape. There were buildings on either side of him and an open parking lot too far away from him to flee. He must have realized it the same time she did.

      Because he spun and lifted his arm.

      “He’s got a gun!”

      The words were barely out of her mouth before something heavy slammed into her, and she hit the pavement.

       TWO

      Nick rolled off Heidi and leaped to his feet. He placed himself in front of her as he faced the armed man, disgusted that he’d had no time to pull his own gun—and it was too late to do so now with their attacker’s finger on the trigger. “Drop the weapon,” Nick ordered.

      “Not a chance.” The low voice trembled, but Nick couldn’t tell if it was from fear or sheer determination not to be caught. The low ball cap and hoodie kept the man’s features well hidden.