Page 30 of Delivering David

But this mission was different and his feelings for Suzanne Bennett were growing stronger. He needed to find something to keep them busy, at least for today. No more kisses.

She cocked her head to regard him. “Is it safe for us to do that? I know the van is, but–”

“I think so.” Kristopher returned to the table. “Who’s going to bother a delivery truck hauling fruits and vegetables on Sunday morning? And it’s wired so we’d be tracked wherever we go. Don’t think it could be safer and I doubt whoever threw that bomb is going to try again so soon.”

His cell phone’s vibrations rattled their cups, and he hit accept and turned on the speaker. “It’s Hank,” he told her. “Hey Hank, what’s up?”

“We have reason to believe Gregori Bogdan is in Knoxville.”

Apprehension shuttled down Kristopher’s spine. “Is he now? Is this something Suzanne needs to know?”

“Since the son of a bitch put a price on your head?” Hank’s snort was loud and clear. “Yeah, I think she needs to know everything, especially since we suspect he’s working with or for The Cadre. Double your efforts in staying safe. I need to go.”

The phone went silent. Kristopher pushed it aside and propped his elbows on the table. “That may explain some things,” he said. “Damn. Gregori Bogdan.”

“This sounds serious,” Suzanne said softly.

“Very,” Kristopher said. “Damn serious.”

Suzanne looked over her shoulder. “Where’s Bailey?”

“He’s in the garage with our tech guys, going over the surveillance equipment and checking the tapes,” Kristopher explained. “We’ll know in seconds if someone is following us. And we’re sure not going to leave the van unattended, not even for a minute.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Suzanne sighed. “If we hadn’t left your old black and white alone when we went to talk to T.J.–”

“Hush up, Miz Bennett.”

“Yes sir.” She gave him a quick salute and said, “Let’s take our coffee to the living room. I think you telling me about this Bogdan guy is going to require a softer place to sit than these chairs.”

When they’d settled themselves on the long sofa, Suzanne asked, “Does this Bogdan guy have anything to do with your last hitch in the Army?”

“My lasthitch?” Kristopher repeated and despite Hank’s news, laughed. “What old movies have you been watching?”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “‘C’mon, Sergeant Brower. Give it to me straight.”

“Okay,” Kristopher said. “But that was a good guess.”

He took a sip of coffee to order his thoughts. She needed to know everything. Both their live, and the lives of the Campbell and Clark sisters–and who knew how many more kids–could depend on it.

“Because a great deal of my work with KPD involved child protection, both my ‘hitches’ in the army took me into locating and stopping child traffickers,” he began. “The last Army posting, I was almost exclusively in Romania.”

“I’ve heard that’s one of the worst spots in the world for that kind of activity,” Suzanne commented.

“It is,” Kristopher agreed. “And it’s a damn shame because it’s one of most hospitable places I’ve ever visited. The people are friendly, welcoming and throw a great party. It’s also one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. But like most places in the world, it has a darker side. Child trafficking is rampant there. That sick desire to use kids and teens knows no borders. Hell is too good for them, Suzanne. All of them.”

She watched the past darken his eyes. “Go on,” she said.

“Because a great deal of this is still classified, I can only tell you so much,” he warned. “Let’s just say, my unit took down Balaur, the most highly successful and well-organized child trafficking ring in the country and probably in Europe. It took most of the five years we were there to do it, but it cost Balaur millions in revenue. One of the few operatives that escaped arrest was a very bad man named Gregori Bogdan. He let it be known that there was a price on my head, and when he found me he would personally send me to hell, after lots of torture of course. That was one of the reasons Hank Patterson arranged for my separation from the Army. Easier for Bogdan to track me if I were still in service after I got back to the states. He did the same for the other members of my team as well. And don’t ask me where they are, because I don’t know.

“Arranged for your separation from the Army?” Suzanne repeated. “That means you left active duty, right? At his silent nod, she asked, “Because you had a price on your head? Good Lord. You’re a dangerous man, Kristopher with a K Brower.”

He shrugged. “I’m used to people being pissed with me. It goes with the job.”

“Humph! I’d say having a price put on your head is more than someone being pissed,” Suzanne snorted. Then she considered his description of Bogdan, she asked, “Do you think we’re in more danger than before?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “Probably. But my mission is to keep you safe at all costs. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do, Suzanne. Word of honor.”

She put her cup on the coffee table and leaned forward to palm his face. “I’ve never doubted for a minute that you would,” she whispered. “Hank Patterson couldn’t have sent anyone better.”

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