Vicky Peterwald: Target by Mike Shepherd Read Free Book Online Page A

Grace,” she announced. Across the passageway, a Marine still stood his post, though blood flowed from his ear. A sergeant glanced inside. His nose was bleeding, and his eyes looked red.
    He saw she was safe and turned away.
    “You may close the door, Kit,” Vicky said. She did.
    Vicky raised a questioning eyebrow to Mr. Smith.
    He shrugged. “It was either very primitive or quite sophisticated. I won’t know which until I have a chance to examine it.”
    “We must arrange for you to have that chance,” Vicky said, feeling very imperious for the moment. It was also nice to be alive.
    A few minutes later, there came a firm rap on the door. Vicky sent Kat to open it, and Admiral Gort was admitted.
    He did not look happy.
    “You knew it was a bomb?” he demanded.
    “I knew that I have no secret admirers,” Vicky answered. “Mr. Smith, here, suggested that I not take a chance, and I chose not to. I hope it did not cause major damage to your ship.”
    “Nothing a new coat of paint can’t handle,” the admiral muttered.
    “It would seem, Admiral, that you are not the only one who received pay from outside sources.”
    “Yes, it does,” he agreed. “I do not like that. I do not like that at all.”
    “My man, Mr. Smith, would like the opportunity to join your investigation into that unpleasant event. It may be that he is better prepared for this kind of event than your good Sailors are.”
    The admiral eyed Mr. Smith, then nodded. “It seems that we are playing in a game where good sailormen are at a disadvantage. I would appreciate help from any source.”
    “My lieutenant and chief have received some training and extra equipment from Kris Longknife’s security experts as well. That was the real reason I ended up on the
Wasp
when we went to war. If you don’t mind, I’d like all three to help your investigation.”
    The admiral turned to Mr. Smith. “You have my leave to do anything you feel necessary to get to the bottom of this.”
    Mr. Smith nodded at his assignment, made eye contact with the two Navy members of Vicky’s team, and motioned them toward the door. The chief went to gather his gear, and the three of them left together.
    “I’m assuming that you find this bomb aboard your ship as unacceptable as I find it,” Vicky said with an arched eyebrow.
    “Yes, Your Grace. I expect my orders to be obeyed quickly and completely. I object strongly to anyone else’s orders taking precedence over mine.”
    “Has this helped you resolve the decision we talked about earlier?” Vicky asked, playing with the zipper on her shipsuit.
    “I believe it has. And thank you for the offer, but you are a lieutenant, and I am an admiral. That alone establishes standards for our relationship.”
    Vicky took her hand away from the zipper. “I fully understand, Admiral. Admiral Krätz introduced me to the Navy’s standards of behavior, and I am only too happy to comply with the professional standards of the Navy’s proud tradition.”
    “I’m glad we understand each other. Supper will be served in my wardroom at 1900 hours. I hope you and your team will join me.”
    “We would be honored, sir. What is the uniform of the day?”
    “Undress whites,” the admiral said, giving her a firm look.
    “I will be proud to wear them, sir.”
    Done, he turned on his heels and marched out.
    “Kit, Kat, we all need undress whites for dinner tonight. Check my gear. If we don’t have smart uniforms, Kat, draw some from the ship’s stores.”
    That set the two women to furious activity. Vicky stayed on the settee, thinking.
    It appeared that she had eliminated one threat to her life, and indeed, turned him into an ally. Whoever had made the bomb attempt had been a fool. Not only had they missed, but they had cemented the Navy to Vicky. There would be no more talk of the battle squadron she had lost, not with Admiral Gort. No, someone had tried to take his prerogatives from him.
    That held his full attention.
    Vicky