Undercover Warrior. Aimee Thurlo

hoping to find a cell phone someone may have dropped during the gun battle. Do you have yours and did Hank have one on him?”

      “No. Hank said he left his at home, and mine’s on my desk. They made me leave it behind.”

      Fueled by intense fear, her mind was racing. Something about Kyle Goodluck didn’t add up. “You said you’re IRS, but you came armed...and you’ve had combat training,” she added, struggling to focus. She was so scared she couldn’t stop shaking. “I never knew the IRS carried weapons.”

      “Field agents are usually armed,” he said. “Didn’t Hank mention I was coming to interview him?”

      Seeing her shake her head, he continued. “I was sent to check out some discrepancies in the purchase orders he filed with the Department of Defense.” He pulled out his cover government photo ID, flashed his badge, then quickly placed it all back into his pocket. “If you’re worried, the local police will vouch for me.”

      She wanted to trust this man, after all, he’d saved her life, but something was telling her to hold back. “You don’t have to protect me anymore,” she said, noticing how closely he stood. “They’re gone now.”

      “For the moment. You’ve seen these people up close and that makes you a threat to them,” he said. “From this point on, expect the unexpected. That’s how you’ll stay alive.”

      His bluntness made a chill run up her spine. Agent Goodluck stood straight, shoulders thrown back, a warrior’s stance. The black leather jacket enhanced his powerful build. Everything about him spoke of unwavering self-assurance. She didn’t know much about Kyle Goodluck, but she had a feeling that this was a man who seldom, if ever, second-guessed himself.

      “There’s Detective Bowman,” Erin said, seeing a familiar face step out of an unmarked SUV. “I remember him from one of the fund-raisers Hank held for the local police. His brother Daniel’s in the security business, too.”

      “I know. They’re my brothers,” Kyle said.

      She blinked, surprised by the revelation.

      As her gaze shifted to the EMTs still working on Hank, the full impact of what had happened slammed into her again. Men she’d never seen before had tried to kill her and Hank. One of the gunmen had actually died less than ten feet from her. What was worse, she might still be a target.

      Tremors ripped through her and she folded her arms around her middle, as if trying to hug herself.

      A heartbeat later, Kyle threw his black leather jacket over her shoulders.

      “No, I’m okay,” she managed.

      “You’re holding it together, but that’s not the same as okay,” he said, his voice gentle.

      As Preston came up, he nodded to Erin, then glared at his brother. “Interesting meeting you here so soon after our coffee break. What’s the story?”

      “A word?” Kyle said, taking Preston aside, but making sure he kept Erin in view.

      * * *

      THEY WERE STANDING less than fifteen feet away from her, but Kyle could see Erin’s full attention was on the paramedics getting ready to transport Hank Leland.

      “This is part of an NCIS case,” Kyle told Preston in a barely audible voice. “I’m here undercover.”

      “Now tell me something I don’t know.”

      “Earlier this morning Hank Leland called and asked NCIS for help, claiming he was being blackmailed by terrorists. I’d been sent here to monitor Leland’s activities anyway, so I was told to go check it out and interview him. Everything looked normal up to the time I pulled into the company’s yard, but in a moment, it all went sour,” he said. “That’s all I have right now, but we’re going to need your department’s cooperation during my investigation.”

      Preston nodded curtly. “Why did they come after him here?”

      “Don’t know. Maybe that was their plan all along. Your guess is as good as mine.”

      “Leland’s company specializes in building safe rooms but that technology isn’t classified. What’s that got to do with terrorists?”

      “Not sure—yet.” Kyle glanced around. “Firearms aren’t hard to get, so let’s begin with explosives and detonators. Does Leland keep any here on site?”

      “I’ll find out,” Preston answered.

      “One more thing,” Kyle said before he could move off. “I need you to file this as an armed robbery gone bad or something routine like that—not a kidnapping attempt involving probable terrorists. If you need clearance, I can get it for you. I’ll also need to keep Erin Barrett in my custody.”

      “Are you taking over this case? If you are, I’ll have to run it through channels.”

      “Do whatever you have to, and I’ll stay with Erin.”

      As Preston walked off, Kyle saw one of the paramedics block Erin from climbing into the back of the vehicle. “Ma’am, you can’t ride in the ambulance with him. We’ll transport him to Regional Medical’s emergency room and you can meet us there.”

      As Kyle placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, Erin jumped back and spun around.

      “It’s okay, Erin, relax. Let the EMTs do their job. Hank’s in good hands,” he said. “You and I need to talk.”

      “Hank Leland hired me and gave me a chance—the only one I ever got—and I’m going to make sure he gets the best of care. I’m going to the hospital right now.”

      “Hank’s already getting the care he needs. Your time’s better spent answering our questions so we can catch the people who did this to him, and you.”

      “I’ll tell you everything I can—at the hospital,” Erin replied, refusing to give an inch.

      Preston came up and gave Kyle a brief nod. “Your request has been approved,” he said. “I’ve sent officers to Leland’s home to secure the place. I’ve also sent a deputy to the company’s current work site to inform and protect the work crew there.” He looked at Erin. “Right now, ma’am, I have to ask you a few questions.”

      She ran an exasperated hand through her hair. “Everyone wants to talk to me and I get that, but first, I have to make sure Hank’s okay. I’m going to the hospital. You can both talk to me there.” She looked over at the emergency vehicle heading out the gates. “I have to go.”

      “All right. My brother can drive you there,” Preston said, and saw Kyle nod. “But before you go, could this have been a robbery, maybe for your payroll, or cash on hand?”

      Erin shook her head. “No way. If you’d seen them, you’d understand. They were cold and calm, like professionals following a plan. Whatever they wanted, it wasn’t cash.”

      Kyle nodded. He’d seen extremists with the same attitude she’d described. “Come on. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

      * * *

      KYLE FOLLOWED THE racing emergency vehicle, staying on its tail by taking advantage of the way its flashing lights, horn and siren cleared traffic. At this speed, he couldn’t risk more than a glance in Erin’s direction, but he was aware of her on almost every level.

      She had spirit—the kind that refused to cower or run. Unless he missed his guess, and he seldom did, her courage wasn’t the sort that came from training and preparation. It was the deep-seated kind that you were either born with or not.

      “So you and Hank are friends?” he asked, running the red light and staying right behind the ambulance, his skill and training in pursuit driving coming in handy now.

      “No, not really, but we work together well, and he’s a good boss.” She hung on tightly to the door handle as he turned left.