Riordan by Kathi S. Barton Read Free Book Online Page B

front walk and then clap her hands about it. Instead of making more trouble for them
    and herself, she moved to the front of the shop just as one of the men from the VA hospital came
    in the door. This could not be good.
    Pointing to Riordan, she told him to stand right where he was and went to deal with Doctor
    Keller. The man had been calling here for two weeks, and she’d had about all she could take of
    him. When he put out his hand to shake hers, Storm just stared at it until he dropped it.
    “You were told to keep your distance.” The man actually grinned at her. “And by distance, it
    was supposed to be over one hundred yards. This is less than a few feet. Even you should know
    the difference.”
    “You missed an appointment. Again.” Storm said nothing but knew that Riordan had come
    up behind her. “Hello. I’m Doctor Andy Keller. The sergeant major here has missed a few
    appointments at the hospital where she’s being treated.”
    “Is that so?” Riordan put out his hand for the doctor, and Storm had to cover a laugh when
    Andy winced from the obvious tight grip that Riordan was giving him. “What are you treating
    her for?”
    “I’m not at liberty to say. But I will say this…she must attend the meetings or she’ll be in
    trouble.” Riordan asked him if they were meetings or appointments. “Meetings. Why does that
    matter?”
    “What sort of meetings? Something she’s, I don’t know, required to go to pending some sort
    of firing?” He said no, they weren’t like that. “So, who else is in this meeting? I’m assuming that
    since she just said that she has an order with someone that you have to stay away from her, that
    it’s not with you.”
    “No, it’s a group meeting. Another doctor is running these meetings. I’m doing him a favor
    by coming by and checking on her. The meetings are where she talks about her feelings and what
    she’s been going through. It’s to help her with some of the stress that she could be dealing with.
    All vets should come to meetings like that.”
    Riordan nodded and looked at her before speaking. “I’ve not known Storm for that long, but
    I’m pretty sure that if she had a problem, she’d tell you straight out. And if she had a problem,
    I’m betting she can fix it a good deal faster than you could. Or this doctor friend you have.”
    Riordan pulled out his cell phone. “I tell you what, you give me his phone number and I’ll
    explain to him just why you can’t come here anymore. And that sending you here on a fool’s
    errand like he did is going to get your ass and his kicked all over this pretty little restaurant.”
    “Are you threatening me? I’ll have you know that I work for the United States government,
    and I will not be—”
    “I’m not going to do a damned thing to you. I’m talking about her. I’m pretty sure that—
    like I said, not knowing her well—but I’m pretty sure that she can use your ass to mop up this
    floor and not even break a nail doing it.” They both looked at her, and she stretched her neck.
    The popping sound had Andy backing up two steps. “Did you know that’s she more than likely
    armed? I mean, right this minute?”
    “I’ve come down here as a favor to—”
    “You tell that lie again and I will shoot what I’m sure is that tiny dick of yours off.”
    Cupping himself, Andy backed more away from her. “If you come here again, bother me with
    one more phone call, I’m going to call Brigadier General Blackson. Do you remember what he
    said to you the last time I called him?”
    Without a word, Andy turned and left. The door to the bakery was still rattling when she
    turned to Riordan. He was grinning at her like he knew something about her that she didn’t.
    Which was impossible…she knew her own self better than he ever thought he would.
    “Look, Mr. Harrison, I’m very busy today. If you’ve come down here to blast me again, I
    would suggest that you leave now while you can. I’m neither