Frankly, Im not much on experiments, but Ill give you the benefit of a doubt. Whats the experiment?
The team you will be part of will consist of some of the best of the best from whatever branch of service. They will be the best tacticians, the most skilled snipers and the smartest men our military has produced.
Sorry. Ghost shook his head. How do I fit into that team?
Garner slid a file across the table and opened it to display a dossier on Ghost.
Ghost frowned. SEALs kept a low profile, their records available to only a very few. How did you get that file?
He sat back, his lips forming a hint of a smile. I asked for it.
Who the hell are you? Better still, what politician is in your pocket to pull me out of my unit for this boondoggle gig? Ghost leaned toward Garner, anger simmering barely below the surface. Look, I didnt ask for this assignment. I dont even want to be here. I have a job with the Navy. I dont need this.
Garners eyes narrowed into slits. Like it or not, youre on loan to me until I can prove out my theory. Call it a Temporary Duty assignment. I dont care what you call it. I just need you until I dont need you anymore.
There are much bigger fish to fry in the world than in Grizzly Pass, Wyoming.
Are you sure of that? Garners brow rose. While you and your teammates are out fighting on foreign soil, weve had a few homegrown terrorists surface. Is fighting on foreign soil more important than defending your home turf?
I might fall for your line of reasoning if we were in New York, or DC. Ghost shook his head. Were in Grizzly Pass. Were far away from politicians, presidents and wealthy billionaires. Were in the backside of the backwoods. What could possibly be of interest here?
You realize theres a significant amount of oil running through this state at any given time. Not to mention, its also the state with the most active volcano.
Not buying it. Ghost sat back again, unimpressed. It would take a hell of an explosion to get things stirred up with the volcano at Yellowstone.
Well, this area is a hotbed for antigovernment movements. There are enough weapons being stashed and men being trained to form a sizable army. And were getting chatter on the social media sites indicating somethings about to go down.
Can you be more specific?
Garner sighed. Unfortunately, not yet.
If youre done speculating, I have a two-day drive ahead of me to get back to my unit. Ghost started to rise, but the waitress arrived at that time, blocking his exit from the booth.
Are you ready to order?
Im not hungry.
Garner gave the waitress a tight smile. Id like the Cowboy Special, Marta.
Marta faced Ghost. Its not too late to change your mind.
The coffee will hold me. Until he could get to Cheyenne where hed stop for food.
After Marta left, Garner leaned toward Ghost. Give me a week. Thats all I ask. One week. If you think were still tilting at windmills, you can go back to your unit.
How did I get the privilege of being your star guinea pig?
Garners face turned a ruddy shade of red and he pressed his lips together. I got you because you werent cleared for active duty. He raised his hand. Dont get me wrong. You have a remarkable record and I would have chosen you anyway, once youd fully recovered.
That hurt. The Navy had thrown the DHS a bone by sending a Navy SEAL with a bummed-up leg. Great. So they didnt think he was ready to return to duty either. The anger surged inside him, making him mad enough to prove them wrong. All right. Ill give you a week. If we cant prove your theory about something about to go down, Im heading back to Virginia.
Garner let out a long breath. Thats all I can ask.
Ghost smacked his hand on the table. So, what exactly am I supposed to do?
One of our operatives was threatened last night. I need you to work with her while she tries to figure out who exactly it is and why they would feel the need to harass her. He handed Ghost his business card, flipping it over to the backside where hed written an address. This is her home address here in Grizzly Pass.
I know where that is. Orva Davis lived there back when he was a kid. She used to chase the kids out of her yard, waving a switch. Shed been ancient back then, she couldnt possibly be alive now. Shes expecting me this morning?
Shell be happy to see anyone this morning. The sooner the better.
Who is she?
At that exact moment Garners cell phone buzzed. He glanced down at the caller ID, his brows pulling together. Sorry, I have to take this. If you have any questions, you can call me at the number on the front of that card. He pushed to his feet and walked out of the building, pressing the phone to his ear.
After tossing back the last of his coffee, Ghost pulled a couple of bills from his wallet and laid them on the table. He took the card and left, passing Garner on his way to his truck.
The DHS man was deep in conversation, turned completely away from Ghost.
Ghost shrugged. Hed had enough time off that he was feeling next to useless and antsy. But he could handle one more week. He might even get in some fly-fishing.
He slid behind the wheel of his pickup and glanced down at the address. Old Orva Davis couldnt possibly still be alive, could she? If not her, who was the woman whod felt threatened in this backwater town? Probably some nervous Nellie.
Hed find out soon enough.
And then...one week.
Chapter Two
Charlie had nodded off once or twice during the night, waking with a jerk every time. Thankfully, she hadnt pulled the trigger and blown a hole in the door, her leg or her foot.
She was up and doing laundry when Lolly padded barefoot out of her bedroom, dragging her giant teddy bear. Im hungry.
Waffles or cereal? Charlie asked, forcing a cheerful smile to her tired face.
Waffles, Lolly said. With blueberry syrup.
Ill start cooking, while you get dressed. Charlie plugged in her waffle iron, mixed the batter and had a waffle cooking in no time. She cleaned off the small dinette table that looked like a throwback to the fifties, with its speckled Formica top and chrome legs. In actuality, the table did date back to the fifties. It was one of the items of furniture that had come with the house when shed bought it. Shed been fortunate enough to find the bright red vinyl fabric to recover the seats, making them look like new.
On a tight budget, with only one income-producing person in the family, a car payment and student loans to pay, she couldnt afford to be extravagant.
She was rinsing fresh blueberries in the sink when a dark figure suddenly appeared in the window in front of her. Charlie jumped, her heart knocking against her ribs. She laughed when she realized it was Shadow, the stray she and Lolly had fed through the winter. Charlie was far too jumpy that morning. The messages from the night before were probably all bluster, no substance, and shed wasted a night she could have been sleeping, worrying about nothing.
The cat rubbed her fur against the window screen. When that didnt get enough attention, she stretched out her claws and sank them into the screen netting.