Page 2 of Mountain Target

By the time they made it up to the fourth floor, his knee was a knot of agony. Beau hid his pained grimace behind a frown.

To get to the colonel’s office, one had to walk through the desks of two assistants, though only one was working at the moment. The other desk sat empty.

“Go ahead. He’s waiting for you,” the woman said, not unkindly. It was the same woman who’d called him minutes earlier.

Damien smiled at her, but Beau could only unclench his jaw long enough to give her a gruff thank you.

The colonel’s office was light and airy, the kind of corner office most men only dreamed of.

Beau wasn’t most men.

He stared at the long mahogany desk and knew he’d rather die than spend his days up here, pushing papers around. He needed fresh air. He needed to be out and about with his team, doing things that felt real to him.

“Gentlemen, thank you for coming so quickly.”

Beau only just stopped himself from rolling his eyes. As if they’d had any choice in the matter.

At least, the colonel didn’t bother asking Beau how he and his team were settling in.

“I’ll get right down to it, gentlemen, as I assume you have things to do. I have a report from a company who claims the Mont Blanc valley is likely to be struck by an earthquake soon.”

Beau’s mouth opened in surprise. Of all the things he’d imagined the colonel might say, this certainly wasn’t one of them. He rubbed his jaw, feeling the stubble there from what had already been a long day. And he still had three apartments to visit that night, assuming he got out of here in time.

“With all due respect, Colonel,” Beau began. “That’s ridiculous.”

Colonel Pelegrin sighed. His fingers flew across his bald head, the only sign he wasn’t perfectly at ease.

“I know that, gentlemen. I know scientists haven’t been able to predict earthquakes in the past, and I agree they’re most likely wasting our time. But the owner of said company also happens to be best friends with the president.”

The pressure grew behind Beau’s eyes.

What a shit show.

Damien, who’d been quiet until now, spoke up. “What exactly does this have to do with us, Colonel?”

“You and your teams spend your days up in the mountains. I want you to keep an eye out for anything … unusual. Just in case. But also, I’ve been informed the company, Seismic Revelations, is going to be spending a few weeks with us, doing some tests. If they find anything, I’ve been assured we will be the first to know.”

Beau only just kept himself from snorting.

Seismic Revelation.

A name designed to attract the press.

“And you expect us to babysit them, Colonel?” Beau asked, making no attempt to conceal his distaste for the assignment.

The colonel was a few inches shorter than Beau and Damien, but what he lacked in height he more than made up for with his imposing presence. He wasn’t a man used to being questioned.

“I expect you to treat them with respect, and I expect you to make sure no harm comes to them. Is that going to be a problem, Commandant Fontaine?”

Beau held the colonel’s gaze for a long instant, then lowered his eyes in respect. Antagonizing his superior officer wasn’t going to get him anywhere.

“No problem, Colonel.”

“Good. I’ll let you know when I have more information, then. That will be all, gentlemen.”

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Beau