The Agent's Secret Past. Debby Giusti

      “I wanted her to work with you, Colby. Is that a problem?”

      “Ah, no, sir.”

      “I realize this puts you in a difficult position. Especially if she’s unwilling to realize she might be in danger. Keep tabs on her as best you can until we have a better picture of what happened last night. From the short time she’s been with us, it’s evident she guards her privacy. Make sure her self-sufficiency doesn’t get her into trouble. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

      “Yes, sir.”

      Colby disconnected and made a U-turn when the light changed. Wilson was right. He’d put Colby in a difficult position. Keep Becca safe when Becca didn’t think she was in danger. Worse than that, she probably didn’t want him around.

      Approaching the Lodge, he noticed her silver Honda turn out of the parking lot, heading toward the main gate. Could be a long day if she was like his sisters and planned to spend time shopping.

      Colby hadn’t expected to play bodyguard to another CID agent. A waste of taxpayer money, in his opinion, but Wilson was in charge so he would comply.

      Just so Becca didn’t spot the tail.

      Leaving post, she increased her speed and took a road that bypassed Freemont. He glanced down at his gas gauge relieved that he’d filled up at the Post Exchange gas station two days ago. Settling into his seat, he hung back a number of car lengths and accelerated to keep up with her. At the speed she was driving, Becca seemed determined to get somewhere fast.

      Maybe she wasn’t heading for the mall after all.

      Colby programmed a selection of music CDs that filled the Chevy with country songs about lost loves and broken hearts. He sang along and tapped his hand against the steering wheel in time to the music.

      Becca seemed oblivious to his tail, which concerned him. She should have been more observant. Wilson had been right. She needed someone to watch her back. Colby planned to do exactly that.

      Nearly two hours passed before she slowed her speed. A road sign welcomed them to Harmony, Alabama. Becca drove to the center of town, turned onto a side road and braked to a stop in front of a small one-story ranch.

      Colby pulled to the curb in front of a neighbor’s house on the opposite side of the street. Turning off the ignition, he scooted down in the seat and watched Becca scurry along the sidewalk to the modest home. She glanced over her shoulder before she knocked.

      He slumped down farther. The last thing Colby wanted was for Becca to realize she was under surveillance.