Page 19 of Disciplining Dana

So, make sure she plays by the rules this time.

“We’re gonna have to run this by Gary, get him onboard.”

Dana sighed. “When have we ever needed to do that in the past? Gary trusts us. He’s confident in our methods because we get results. There’s nothing different here.” She tapped the chair arm between them. “Besides, before we left, did he provide a better plan?”

Kurt grunted. “Point taken.”

They both went silent, lost in their thoughts. The flight attendant came by, replenished their drinks, and when he left, Dana was the one who resumed the conversation.

“If I’m going to find what I need, I’m going to have to get in there. Not twenty feet back or even two hundred. I’ll need to go back deep where the real dig was. If I can’t do that, this whole thing is a wasted trip.”

“How far back?”

She shook her head. “I won’t know until I’m in there.”

Kurt’s jaw tightened. And there it was, a refrain he’d heard from her in one fashion or another for seven years now. A prevarication, a hedging to give herself maneuvering room to do something later she knew she probably shouldn’t. This wasn’t the first time…

But if she gets hurt, it’ll be the last.

“You’re only going in as far as is safe. No further,” he said with determination.

She slowly turned her head, her dark brown eyes flashing. “Oh, really? Well, in case you’ve forgotten, you’re my partner, not my boss. You can’t tell me what to do.”

Kurt stopped his fingers from curling. “Dana, this is supposed to be an easy assignment. One where you can earn some brownie points with The Powers That Be. Not one where you go off and run the risk of getting yourself hurt. Again.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “You need to stop worrying. I can take care of myself. I’ll be fine.”

“Goddammit”—he sighed, leaning back in his seat—“you can be so frustrating.” He closed his eyes for a second. “After all the years we’ve been together, the fact you can say that without any trace of irony…”

He tapped his finger on her tray. “That’s what worries me most.”

CHAPTER 5

Dana

She had to admit, they’d certainly worked in worse places in the world.

The two-and-a-half-hour drive from Missoula Airport had made it clear how different this area was from their previous assignment in South America. This was high alpine country, the landscape bright and gorgeous, the early fall air crisp. The temperature at the airport had been in the sixties, but when they stopped at a small roadside turnout about halfway to Rawhide Ranch, Dana had dug out a sweater because it had dropped down into the low fifties. She was glad she hadn’t only brought the gear she’d taken on other trips lately; the long-sleeved shirts and jacket and sweats she’d packed were clearly going to come in handy.

“Whoa.”

Dana looked to where Kurt was. Whoa, indeed. They’d crested a ridge, and now a valley spread out below them. Nestled, almost dead center, was a cluster of buildings bisected by fences, a smattering of corrals, all surrounded by lush green fields.

“Rawhide Ranch,” she murmured.

“Yeah,” Kurt agreed softly. “Rawhide Ranch.”

They continued down the road until they came to a large black iron gate blocking their way. A pair of oval emblems hung off each side of the gate; double Rs intertwined with a pair of horseshoes embossed in wrought iron.

As they drew to a stop, Kurt lowered his window. A stocky young man wearing a cowboy hat stepped out of a small shack and crossed the road to them. As he came closer Dana could see the same emblem that adorned the front gate was embroidered on the left breast of his windbreaker, with SECURITY printed on the right.

“Howdy, folks, can I help you?”

“Uh, yeah, we’re looking for Rawhide Ranch.”

“Then you’re in luck; you found it,” he replied with a grin. “Names?”

“Dana Aziz and Kurt Ellery.”

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