“Yep.And since we’re the doggy duo, they want us to take a look.Eww.Forget I said doggy duo.I don’t like that.”
Faith sighed.“Boy.This is just awful timing.”
“I know.I’m sorry.”
Faith bit her lip.“Look, I really feel like an asshole for doing this right after you agreed to help me, but I think I need to stay home and make sure David stays out of trouble.This looks really ser—”
Her phone rang.Smythe.“I’m going to put you on hold, Jessica.That’s Director Smythe.”
“No problem.”
She answered Smythe’s call, took a deep breath, and said, “Hello, sir.I’m so sorry to bother you with this.I just felt you need to be aware since this apparently stems from a visit to the K9 School’s Veterinary Clinic.And…” She took another breath and shook her head.“I was hoping you could help me figure out what’s going on here.”
Smythe, to her extreme shock, chuckled.“I wouldn’t worry too much.The Marine Corps has a flare for the dramatic, as I’m sure you well remember.I’ll reach out to some friends of mine in the Pentagon and make sure this gets smoothed over.”
Her shoulders dropped with relief.“Thank you, sir.Thank you so much.”
“Not a problem.It won’t be more than a phone call or two for me.In the meantime, I have a new case for you.Special Agent Torres should be calling at any moment with the details.”
Faith paused for a beat.“Ah.Sir, I… was hoping I could remain at home.At least until things are smoothed over.”
Smythe sighed.In a patronizing tone, he said, “Special Agent, the emails you are describing are the equivalent of a Bichon Frise yapping at someone through a locked gate.Your husband is fine.”
Faith didn’t appreciate the irony that she had just watched a Bichon Frise nearly sever two fingers of someone’s hand.“I know, and I’m sorry for my husband’s behavior, but—”
“I can arrange for a guard for your husband, Special Agent, but I must insist that you take this case.It’s within your area of expertise, and the Plano Police Department has specifically asked for your assistance.”
Faith frowned.She really couldn’t refuse.
And maybe Smythe was right.After all, itdidseem a little ridiculous that the flipping Marine Corps would consider David enough of a threat to do anything.If they did, some one-star with a bald spot and a bad temper would probably scream at them for wasting money on gas and bullets.
“Very well, sir.And Special Agent Torres is already arranging a guard.”
“Wonderful.Have no fear, Bold.This will be nothing more than a funny story by the time you get home.”
Boy, I hope you’re right.“Thank you, sir.”
She hung up and resumed the call with Jessica.“Hey, Jessica.So Smythe kind of promised me to Plano already.I’ll meet you at the airport.”
“Sounds good.Faith, really, don’t worry about David.I dated a guy who subcontracted for the Space Force, and he got a letter like that after snooping around a rocket hangar.Shit like this happens all the time in the military, and it always blows over.David probably got caught spying on a classified facility, and they sent him a letter hoping to scare him.No one’s going to kill him.”
“Yeah, that’s what Smythe said.”
“Well, he’s right.I’ll see you soon.You can wait for the boys to get there if you want.”
“Yeah, I think I will.Thanks, Jessica.”
She hung up and rubbed her temples.David shifted his weight nervously, staring down at his feet.
“David,” Faith said.“I love you.So much.”
“I love you too.”
“Then behave yourself.No going after these guys.When Michael calls, you tell him everything you know.Everything.Then you let him handle it.Understand?He’ll know if you do something stupid, and he’ll tell me.”
David’s eyes shifted to the left, and Faith said, “So help me, David, if you lie to me right now, you and I are going to have serious problems.I swear to God.”
David looked at her, shocked by the intensity in her voice.She held his gaze, willing him to understand just how serious she was being right then.
