The Cold Between. Elizabeth Bonesteel

up in a few days, and it’d be one less thing for us all to worry about.”

      Odd, Trey thought. First an offer of help, then manipulation. The woman was looking away, squinting into the afternoon sun, her lips thin. “I will consider your offer,” he said at last. It was the truth, at least. “But for now, I would like to remain home.”

      “The offer stands if you change your mind. Chief, I’ll expect you back here in—”

      “I’m staying, Greg.” She said it quietly, and with complete conviction.

      There was a long pause. Based on Foster’s behavior so far, Trey would have expected the captain to start shouting again. Instead, when he spoke, his voice was immeasurably more gentle, and Trey began to wonder at the relationship between the captain and his subordinate. “We’ve discussed this already, Chief.”

      “We haven’t,” she told him. Her voice was tight, as if she had swallowed something thick. “I owe him.”