Explosive Force. Lynette Eason

agree. But still, you would think he would have tripped himself up by now—or someone would have spotted him and turned him in.”

      “Even if someone spotted him, how would they know? He seems to be a master at disguises. Not to mention the fact that he’ll kill to get the uniform he needs. He’s smart and he’s extremely careful.”

      “I remember Westley saying that Sullivan doesn’t make a move unless he’s sure he won’t get caught.”

      “True.” He frowned. “But we’re not giving up. He will get careless and we will get him eventually.”

      “I know. That’s what Westley says, too.” She offered him a small smile. “Take care of Heidi.”

      “That’s the plan.”

      “I’ll watch out for her, too. Let me know if I can do anything.”

      “Could I get a bowl of water for Annie? I’ve got food with me.”

      “Sure. And a bottle for you?”

      “That would be perfect. Thanks.”

      Once he and Annie had their water, Felicity slipped inside and Nick turned the porch light off. He took a seat in the wooden rocker.

      After a long drink, Annie settled at his feet.

      Time passed while Nick did as much work as he could using his iPhone. He requested one of the OSI investigators to stop by so he could give him the evidence he and Annie had collected from the bomb site. The investigator would make sure it was delivered to the lab for examination.

      Once he had everything finished that he’d needed to do related to the explosion, Nick leaned his head back against the rocker and let his gaze linger on Heidi’s home. She’d affected him in a big way. Those eyes of hers had brought forth emotions he’d thought he’d locked securely away a little over three years ago after Lillian Peterson had taken his heart and stomped all over it.

      But with one outburst laden with frustration and truth, Heidi had snapped the lock like a toothpick. His heart had reacted and that scared him. He could face down guns and explosives, but a woman who had the potential to hurt him? No way. Normally, he’d run as far and as fast as possible. But he couldn’t do that with Heidi. She might be in danger, and Nick simply couldn’t bring himself to ignore that and abandon her when he could help.

      So now he was completely unsettled.

      The streetlamp illuminated a figure heading toward them, soft footsteps falling on the sidewalk. Annie sat up, ears twitching toward the noise. Nick focused on the shadow in the darkness, his hand sliding to his weapon. “Who’s there?”

      The figure stopped. “Nick? What are you doing out here?”

      Isaac Goddard? Nick relaxed. The man was a senior airman and turning into a good friend. “Hey, keeping an eye on Heidi Jenks. She’s mixed up in everything that went down here tonight.”

      “I heard about that.” Isaac walked over and leaned against the railing. “Glad no one was seriously hurt.”

      “Bobby Stevens ended up in the hospital but will heal. What are you doing out here?”

      “Just walking. I couldn’t sleep.”

      “Nightmares?” Isaac never talked about it, but Nick knew the man’s PTSD, brought on after serving and being wounded in Afghanistan, kept him up most nights.

      “Yeah.”

      “I’m sorry. Any word on Beacon?” Beacon was the German shepherd who’d been in Afghanistan the same time Isaac had been serving and had saved Isaac’s life. Now Isaac was determined to bring him home. Unfortunately, red tape and bureaucratic nonsense had delayed that to the point where Isaac was ready to head back to the desert of his nightmares and find the dog himself.

      “They found him,” Isaac said.

      “Wait, what?” Nick sat straighter. “They did? That’s great.”

      “Yes and no. He was found injured and they’re not sure he’s going to make it.”

      Nick’s hope for his friend deflated. “Oh, no. I’m sorry.”

      “I am, too. So right now, it’s just wait and see.” He shook his head. “I can’t give up on him, Nick. He’s as much military as I am. I was lying there, injured and bleeding, and he came up and settled down beside me. Like he was trying to let me know I wasn’t alone.”

      Nick had heard the story before, but he let Isaac talk. It seemed to help him.

      “He stayed right with me,” Isaac said. “For hours until my unit buddies were able to get to me and pull me to safety.”

      “He’s a hero, too.”

      “Exactly.” Isaac sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “Anyway, sorry. Didn’t mean to talk your ear off. I’m going to keep walking. Maybe head over to the gym and work some of this energy off.”

      “Keep the faith, man.”

      “I’m trying. You keep it for me, too.”

      “You got it.”

      Nick watched his friend walk away and sent up a silent prayer for him.

      Hours later, when Caleb arrived, Nick was still praying. About a lot of things. But mostly that the night would continue to be as quiet as it had been up to that point.

      Caleb yawned and rubbed his eyes. “I’m going to enjoy that steak dinner. I hope this is worth it for you.”

      Nick looked back over at Heidi’s dark home. “It’s worth it,” he said softly. “Every single penny.”