Page 42 of Surge

A blur of black sailed at him. He felt the brush of fur even as a vicious snarl-snap sounded from Surge, who nailed the guy.

Garrett seized the distraction and freed himself. Whipped around with his weapon. Aimed at the guy and fired. Once, twice. As he watched the last breath wheeze from the guy, he spotted an S-shaped tattoo on his neck. He eyed Zim’s attacker and saw the same thing.

“Surge, out!” Rogue commanded, catching the dog’s collar and drawing him back.

Gaining his feet, Garrett eyed Zim to be sure he was okay, then walked the perimeter of the room, circling back to the team.

“You okay?” Delaney asked.

“Yes, thanks to Surge.” He exhaled, studying the force multiplier who’d interdicted just in time. “He saved my life.”

Surge wandered to one of the upturned boxes, sniffing.

“I wish I could say I gave him the order to do that, but he ripped away from me without hesitation,” Delaney admitted.

“Good. This time, I’m glad.” He smirked, watching as the Malinois focused on a particular box.

Surge took in long draughts, started to sit, then moved to another box. Same thing.

“He looks confused.”

“I . . . don’t think that’s it.”

Surge finally downed in the middle of the room, ears pointed to the boxes.

“Wait,” she gasped, her face alight. “You don’t think . . .”

“Mother lode,” Garrett murmured. “Just don’t understand why there isn’t more security.”

“Overconfidence,” Zim suggested.

“Way to go, Surge,” Rogue exclaimed.

Then the Mal rushed out into the hall and into another open door. Garrett and Zim flew past Rogue, found him sitting at the edge of the empty room, alerting on a long workbench. But he moved to a line of sewing machines, same. And a pile of leather in one corner.

Shoeboxes filled another corner.

Garrett signaled Rogue into the room. “Saw you coming out of the alley during the meetup.”

She cringed and wrinkled her nose. “I got worried . . .” She patted her leg, and Surge rushed in to sit next to her.

“Point is, you stayed, though you wanted to go rogue and do your own thing. That would’ve compromised all of us. You did good.” He nodded around the room. “Especially here. Thanks.”

Surprise rippled through her face, and she seemed to soften. “You’re welcome.”

They cleared the rest of the building with little effort and no further contact. Which just didn’t sit right. Too easy.

While waiting for Caldwell’s people to come inventory the warehouse of shoes, Surge whined.

Delaney thumbed over her shoulder. “There’s a small park with grass just past the front gate. I’d like to let him take care of business.”

Garrett pointed out the window at a park in front of the building. “Okay. He deserves a break. You both do.”

Her eyes blinked fast.

Which surprised him. He wasn’t always a cranky bear. Was he? “Be back in fifteen. We don’t have much left but stay close. They could return, and it won’t be friendly if they do.”

She smiled. “Will do, Boss.”

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