Trinity: Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig Read Free Book Online Page B

least she sounded contrite.
    “Heath, look at me.”
    Jaw clenched, he rolled his head to the right and met clear blue eyes.
    Dull lights from the cabin ceiling bathed Aspen’s porcelain features in a somber glow, adding to the look already in her gaze. “I lost a brother over there.” White-blond curls tumbled around her face as a gust of wind carried into the small seating area. “Please understand that I didn’t want to lose anyone else. That’s the only reason I went along with Timbrel.”
    Heath leaned forward, anger roiling through his body like an undammed river. “You don’t control who is lost and who isn’t.”
    Unfazed, she remained stoic. “Perhaps, but there’s safety in numbers.” “
    Bigger numbers also mean easier targets. Easier to find.”
    Aspen sighed. “We care. Is that a crime?”
    “No, it’s not.” He adjusted in the seat so he faced her. “But I need you guys to trust me. I wouldn’t go over there if I thought I’d put anyone in danger.” The words tugged at his conscience. He hadn’t even considered anyone else when Jibril mentioned the speaking gig. He’d been so anxious to have a purpose for existing, to bail on boredom and leap headfirst into the action. “Don’t say your going is about concern for me. Tell me you wouldn’t like to take a look around and maybe find out what happened to your brother.”
    Her face flushed.
    “So, don’t put this off on me, okay? I’m healing.”
    Then why was his vision graying? What was the hollow roar in his ears? Heath dropped against the seat as the world went black.

            Five              

    Bagram AFB, Afghanistan
    L ook him in the face. Tell him the truth. It would hurt for the first few seconds
.
    Darci nodded to the MP guarding the door, and he turned the knob to General Lance Burnett’s office. The door swung open to reveal the stuffy interior. Salt-and-pepper hair highlighted by the overhead lamp, the general looked up from his desk. She snapped a salute.
    He acknowledged with one of his own. “Kintz! Why do you look like someone killed your cat?”
    “I hate cats, sir.”
    He let out a booming laugh and motioned to the steel chair in front of his metal desk as she heard a click from behind and knew they were alone. “What do you have?”
    Seated, Darci let out a long breath. “Nothing, sir.” The words were bitter and sour at the same time. She hated bringing back nothing. Hated the very taste of failure.
    The wheels on his chair squeaked as he leaned back. “Not what I’d hoped to hear.”
    She wasn’t sure what was more painful—her father who would never let her into his heart because she was a reminder of the wife he’d lost, or the general she would never be able to please after a near failure on one of the biggest missions of her career.
    Darci put on her confident facade. “I know, sir. I’ll have more for you after our next run. We’ve only been out there a few days, and that netted me about six hours to reconnoiter alone.”
    General Burnett stared at her for several long minutes, then narrowed his blue eyes as he dropped forward in his chair. He moved to the small portable fridge that sat beneath a table and pulled out a Dr Pepper. Imported straight from the factory in Waco by his wife, Marilyn. The tiny carbonation combustion hissed through the room. He took a slurp as he turned—his eyes hitting hers. “I’d share, but these are pure gold.”
    “Of course, sir.”
    Can cradled in his hands, he sat on the chair beside her. Took another sip, then set the burgundy can on his desk. Clasping his hands together, he took a breath and let it out. “Darci, I need to ask a question.”
    Oh boy. Here it comes
.
    “And I want the truth.” His blue eyes probed hers. He’d always seen to the truth of things. Which worried her. Especially now. “Is this mission, this location, too … close?”
    Her nerves fidgeted under his scrutiny. “Sir?”
    “Darci,” he said, his