The Military K-9 Unit Collection. Valerie Hansen

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.

      “You think Boyd will come after me?” Maisy’s voice rose.

      “Your father was my friend,” Lieutenant General Hall stated, his voice tinged in sadness. “I won’t take any chances with your safety.”

      “I don’t understand, sir,” Vanessa said. “Why would Boyd target me?”

      “That is an excellent question, Lieutenant,” Lieutenant General Hall stated. “One I will leave to Captain Blackwood and his team to uncover. Until then your safety is our priority.”

      “Thank you, sir,” Yvette said, her voice wobbly. “This is so scary.”

      “Not to worry, Airman Crenville,” Lieutenant General Hall replied in a soothing tone. “Boyd will be captured quickly.”

      Yvette shivered. “I hope so.”

      Sweeping his gaze over the female personnel, Lieutenant General Hall said, “The four of you are dismissed.”

      Felicity rose with the others but paused as Westley stood and touched her arm.

      “Wait for me in the hall,” he said in a low voice.

      She blinked at the request. She wanted to ask him why, but her desire to talk to Maisy overrode her curiosity. She nodded and hurried after Maisy. She snagged her friend by the elbow once they were in the hall. “Oh, honey, I was so sorry to hear about your dad.”

      Maisy’s eyes filled with tears. “It was horrible.”

      Felicity drew Maisy to a bench along the wall as Vanessa and Yvette walked away. “Here...sit.”

      Maisy sat and wiped at her eyes. “I don’t understand how this could happen.”

      Neither could Felicity. The whole thing seemed surreal. Boyd Sullivan escaping prison, getting on base in the dark of night and killing three people and terrorizing three more. She prayed God would bring Boyd to justice quickly.

      “He took my dad’s cross necklace,” Maisy said, drawing Felicity’s attention.

      That was odd. Boyd hadn’t collected souvenirs from his past victims. At least not that Felicity recalled. What did it mean when a serial killer changed his MO?

      She shuddered with anxiety, afraid they were going to find out before all was said and done.

      * * *

      When the door closed behind the women, Westley had to fight to remain in place and not follow Felicity out. He didn’t like not having eyes on her. If anything happened to her...

      “Have a seat,” Lieutenant General Hall told the men who had stood as the ladies left the room.

      The men resettled themselves in their seats around the conference table, all attention focused on the base commander.

      Lieutenant General Hall pinned Westley to his chair with an intense stare. “Master Sergeant James, care to explain why you left the meeting earlier without permission?”

      Westley sat up straighter, glad Felicity was in the hall and not witness to his dressing down. He gave the lieutenant general his reason, hoping he didn’t reveal more than concern for his employee.

      “It appears you were right to be alarmed for her welfare,” Lieutenant General Hall said. “I’ll overlook your lack of protocol this one time.”

      Easing out a relieved breath, Westley inclined his head. “Thank you, sir.”

      “Now, how do we ferret out the person who helped Sullivan get on base?” Lieutenant General Hall’s gaze traveled over the men at the table and settled on Oliver Davison. “What can you tell us about the prison break?”

      “We’ve confirmed Sullivan bribed two guards into letting him out of his cell and into the docking bay, where he crawled into the back of a laundry truck and escaped,” Oliver said.

      Westley’s phone buzzed with another incoming text from the training center. He glanced at it and was glad to read the growing total of dogs recovered.

      Lieutenant General Hall focused on Captain Justin Blackwood. “How did he get on base?”

      “Sir, we’re still working on that,” Justin replied. He sat at the table with his hands braced on his knees. “All personnel are being asked to report their whereabouts for the past twenty-four hours. It will take us time to verify every alibi.”

      “And what of Sullivan’s half-sister?” Oliver asked. He consulted his notebook. “Staff Sergeant Zoe Sullivan.”

      “We are looking into her, sir.” Linc spoke up for the first time. He’d taken a position leaning against the wall rather than sitting at the table. “She’s a flight instructor and is currently in the air. But when she lands, we’ll be questioning her.”

      “Keep me informed of your progress,” Lieutenant General Hall said. He trained his gaze on Justin. “You also received a rose and note, did you not?”

      Justin nodded. “Yes, sir.”

      Surprise washed through Westley.

      Oliver asked Justin, “What has Sullivan got against you?”

      “I was one of his basic instructors, sir,” Justin replied. “I called him on the carpet on multiple occasions for slacking off and harassing the female recruits.”

      “Stay vigilant, Captain,” Lieutenant General Hall instructed.

      “I will,