“That’s all. You’re excused,” he said before turning on his heel and leaving.
Zoe stood there, still and mute, while her temper threatened to come to a boil. The brass were blaming her, too, same as the enlisted members did. Everybody and his brother thought she was breaking rules and running amok when all she was trying to do was live a peaceful life and teach to the best of her ability. Only now they weren’t going to allow her to do that either, were they?
She internally shook herself, refusing to be a victim of crime or of her superiors’ decisions. What steps she would take next were unknown. The only thing she was sure of was that she wasn’t going to sit on her hands and stew when she could be taking action. Any action. If she had to poke around in the lives of those she suspected might be holding a grudge and reveal who her nemesis was without help or sanction, then so be it. As long as Colson continued to accompany her, she figured she’d be safe enough leaving familiar surroundings.
Zoe didn’t know where she’d have to look or who her snooping might upset, nor did she care. She was already persona non grata on base. A few more ruffled feathers wouldn’t hurt a bit.
Heels clicking on the hard floor, briefcase swinging at her side, she waited until she was out in the warm sunshine before making a call on her cell phone.
Linc Colson answered almost immediately.
“This is Sergeant Sullivan,” Zoe said. “Sorry to bother you. How is Star? Freddy’s worried.” She paused, then finished with the full truth, “So am I.”
“I’m still at the vet hospital waiting to hear,” Linc said. “Captain Roark thinks she may have cracked ribs, but otherwise she’s looking pretty good.”
“When will you know for sure?”
“Soon. Why? Has there been more trouble?”
“Yes, in a manner of speaking. I’ve just been relieved of duty. No more teaching or anything else until we figure out who’s been making my life miserable.”
“You’re not teaching any classes today?”
Zoe could tell by his tone that he was worried and she understood why. She wasn’t exactly fond of the decision to sideline her either. “Not today or anytime in the foreseeable future according to Lieutenant General Hall. It’s the pits.”
“Where are you?”
“I just left my empty classroom. Why?”
“Because you need protection, especially if you’re going to be wandering around the base. I’ll call my headquarters and arrange an escort until I get through here.”
“I don’t need a guardian to just go home.” Hesitating, she said, “Tell you what. Why don’t I come to you? That way I’ll know how Star is as soon as you do, and we can leave there together when you’re ready.”
“I don’t know. It might be hours.”
“Ha! As if I had plans.” Shaking her head even though he couldn’t see her doing it, she added, “I’d rather hang out with you than have to break in a new bodyguard.”
His muted chuckle came through. “Break in? Is that how you see our interaction? I’m not sure I like that opinion, Sergeant. It’s not very flattering.”
“Okay. How about if I admit how scared witless I was this morning and appeal to your sympathetic nature? I desperately need a friend—or at least somebody who doesn’t view me as crazy or dangerous. Or both.” Zoe lowered her voice and softened the tone. “I can’t explain it any better than that, Colson. This hasn’t been the worst day of my life—yet—but it’s running a close second or third.”
“All right. Do you know where the base dog-training complex is located?”
“Yes.”
“I’m at the vet hospital between it and the enlisted rec center. You can’t miss it. And don’t try to walk all this way no matter how much you love Texas weather. Take a cab.”
Smiling into the distance, Zoe could barely glimpse flags flying on the far side of the base. If she’d been clad for running or PT, she might have left her car behind and considered a brisk walk. Dressed in her uniform and the matching pumps that the outfit called for, however, she was far less inclined to go for a long hike, even on sidewalks.
“No worries,” Zoe told Linc. “I drove over here this morning so I could drop off Freddy at preschool.”
The temporary silence on the other end of the line gave her pause. She scowled when Linc said, “Tell you what, either I’ll come pick you up or you need to take a cab.”
“Why? I told you I have my car.”
His sigh was audible. “Yeah. You parked it there, right?”
“Of course, I did. I couldn’t very well stuff it in my briefcase and carry it into class with me.”
“Meaning it has sat unguarded for how long?”
“Just a few minutes.” She looked at her watch. “Maybe fifteen at the most.”
“Call a taxi.”
The finality of his command jolted her rather than inciting anger. “You think somebody did something to my car? Why here? Why not back at my apartment?”
“One, we kept an eye on it there and two, that parking lot is always real busy. The place you parked this morning is far more isolated.” He cleared his throat. “Humor me, Zoe. Be on the safe side. Call a cab. And do it now, before word gets around that you’ve been relieved of duty and your enemies start to figure out your new behavior patterns.”
“I really hate feeling so vulnerable.”
“I know. And I’m sorry. I’d be there right now if Star hadn’t got hurt.”
“I’m the one who should apologize. You’re worried sick about her, and here I am causing you even more problems. I’ll be there ASAP. Watch for my taxi.”
“Thanks,” Linc said.
She could tell he meant it. “No, thank you, Sergeant. You may be the only one on base who believes in me. I do appreciate it.”
“The cab,” he said gruffly.
“Gotcha. Hanging up now and dialing a ride.”
Despite the first pangs of an impending headache, Zoe did as she’d promised. Then she slowly approached her parked sedan and gave it a once-over, even leaned sideways to peer under it. Nothing seemed tampered with or added.
Before her life had been so disrupted, she might easily have pulled out her keys and driven despite Linc’s dire warning.
Now she wouldn’t touch that car if her life depended upon it. She straightened, fighting an unexpected wave of dizziness. And little wonder. If Linc was right, her life actually might depend upon following his orders. She wasn’t about to ignore his advice and test the concept.
* * *
When Linc completed the call, he noticed Captain Roark’s arched eyebrows, so he explained. “Sergeant Sullivan is coming here since I can’t go to her right now.”
Roark shrugged. “You could, you know. Star is in good hands.”
“I suppose so,” Linc said, “but my CO told me to stay with her until I could make a detailed report on her condition. We assumed Sullivan would be secure while she was teaching.”
“I take it she isn’t?”
Shaking his head, Linc said, “She may be safe enough but she isn’t teaching. They relieved her. I don’t understand why. She hasn’t done anything wrong. Everything’s circumstantial.”
The veterinarian grinned. “Never try to reason out orders from up top, Sergeant. You’ll drive