“Harris Construction signed the contract and placed the deposit. We can assign a team as early as tonight. I’m waiting for your estimate on the cost of the new equipment for Middle East jobs,” Whiskey reported.
“I know. Shadow and Ragu, please move the sock supply over to one of the bunk rooms. I can’t even get to the equipment to replace what we lost or broke from the last mission,” Leo said tiredly.
“You told us to put it in there,” Shadow argued.
“I know. If I don’t find a supply clerk soon, I’ll pull my hair out,” Leo muttered.
“What about the interview yesterday?” Taco asked.
“The woman gossiped about everyone but her mother the entire time. How can we trust her to keep secrets if I know her next-door neighbor has a boyfriend and a husband?” Leo complained.
“What’s the big deal?” Ragu asked. “So she knows they’re having an extramarital affair. It doesn’t mean she’ll tell military secrets.”
“She described the nighty her neighbor wore in great detail and how much it cost,” Leo admitted. “Something tells me she’s a bit nosey.”
“Don’t worry, boss. I’m sure someone will show up. You already have eight boxes of the socks in the locker room, and another six in the gym. You need to donate them or something,” Saint suggested.
Leo sighed. “Cole, tell me about the training setup.”
“I inspected the building. Everything’s in place. Do you plan to hire employees to stay with the dogs, like you do with the service animals? We can set up a video feed here and on my phone, but I’ll feel better if someone stays with them,” Cole informed Leo.
“Yes, Archer cleans our weapons and has agreed to take on the duty of staying during the day. I’ve interviewed three veterans to care for them but I want your input first. I hired Liam Miller, who has history with working with dogs. He’s currently a patient at the hospital. He’ll start once he’s discharged. Take time this afternoon to introduce yourself,” Leo ordered.
“Kassie forbade me from going into patient rooms,” Cole admitted, embarrassed.
Leo rubbed his forehead. “It’s like you took Team Asshole to whole other level. I’ll call her and clear things up. Usually, we get PT out of the way before we have breakfast. A couple of contracts have come in and the Texas team can’t take on anything else. We may spin up. Julio believes he’s close to finding Rebecca Rhodes. She’s our first priority. He passed the folders around the table. “If we take these on, it’ll mean we’ll be away from Serenity Mountain for at least six months.”
The team groaned.
Leo scratched his chin. “We don’t have to take two of them. The third one involves a member of our team. Cole believes Sergeant Ford or Colonel Rutherford caused the deaths of hisfriends and their dogs. One of the assignments will put us in proximity to the crime scene. It’ll establish our cover. He’s one of us and we owe it to our brothers to bring them to justice. Think about it. I know we agreed to stay local, and this will take us away from our families.”
The men read the materials and shut the folders. The mood at the table became somber as the men ate. When they finished, the men cleaned up. Leo headed to his office and ordered everyone to meet in the gym in two hours. Cole signaled for Brody to follow him. They loaded up into the truck and went to the training facility. Half an hour later, the three dogs he sent for showed up.
Giving them time to sniff out their new home, Cole set up the play area. Even working dogs needed downtime. He threw the ball, wearing them out. He gave them water and placed them in their assigned kennels. Brody watched from the sidelines and barked his approval when Cole returned.
Archer entered the building with three veterans. “Leo asked me to watch over the new members of the team. These two clowns will watch them on the night shifts. I can personally vouch for them. Meet Reginald and Bob.”
“Nice to meet you,” Cole said, shaking hands. “I wore them out from the long car ride. They’ll be good until dinner. Feed them in their areas and then give them some free time. Never leave them alone,” he instructed. “Let me go over what you can do when you release them. Make sure they have plenty of water and read the feeding instructions on the bins.”
He took them around and introduced them to the animals. “I’ll return after PT and meeting Liam,” he said before leaving.
“We’ll take good care of them,” Archer assured him, seeing the reluctance on Cole’s face.
“Come on, Brody. We need to meet someone,” he said, walking toward the path leading to the hospital.
Brody’s tail wagged as they drew closer to the building.
“I know what you’re thinking. We can’t visit Hannah. We’re here to see Liam,” he insisted.
Brody barked twice and ran ahead of him. “Brody, I mean it,” he called.
The dog didn’t stop as he rushed up the stairs. One of the teens opened the door as she exited the building, leaving enough space for his four-legged traitor to slip through.
“Damn it, Brody,” he muttered as he jogged up the steps. He ran down the hall, anticipating where the mutt planned on going.
The black tail disappeared around the corner of unit one and Cole raced to stop him before he reached Hannah’s room. Trying to keep from making a scene, he hastened his steps. “Brody, get back here,” he whispered furiously.
Too late, the dog rounded the corner and entered the room, Cole was forbidden to enter.
