Page 51 of True Valor
Now, Eric’s voice got husky.Julie couldn’tpull her gaze from his face.It took a bit before he went on.
“Joey’s Blackhawk went down four weeks agonear Kabul.Nic flew to Germany and accompanied his body home.Hestayed for the funeral, then went to Tahoe where he met you.”
Nic had never let on.How much had he beenholding in?He’d stood at the window, very quiet, sometimes.Buthe’d said nothing.
Cruz must have read her mind.“He doesn’tlike to bother other people with his problems.He’ll tell you aboutit once he’s past it.He holds things close.But on the outside,he’s the steadiest person I know.We’ve been on the team togetherlong enough, that I can usually tell what he’s thinking, but I’mthe exception.He told me a lot about his past on the side of amountain once, as we tried not to freeze to death.”Again, Cruzsmiled.
Julie smiled back.If Nic was the steadiestperson Cruz had ever met, Cruz was the most upbeat guy Julie hadever met.Even when he was serious, that smile was lying in waitfor an opportunity to spring to his lips.
“So what kind of stuff does your unit do?”Julie asked, trying to lighten up the conversation a bit.
“At the moment, mostly we do civilian rescue,stranded and injured climbers, plane crashes, some water rescue.We’re in six-man teams.Ours is Bravo Squad.Alpha thinks they’rebad asses, but Bravo is so much better that we don’t have to brag.”At her skeptical look, Eric just laughed.“Nic’s the best rockclimber in the squadron.Joey was the best navigator to ever jumpout of a plane.”
Cruz’s voice caught on the last words.Hedidn’t say more, but Julie could imagine what he was thinking.Herown throat closed with emotion.The guy-relationship thing hadalways been fascinating to her.And in a profession like rescue,the bonding must be even stronger.Depending on teammates for yourvery existence would do that.
She wanted to ask more, but what Eric toldher was obviously still pretty raw, so she let it rest.Instead,she reached into the back seat and pulled a bag of Cheese Twists upfront.“Still Hungry?”
“Always,” Cruz replied, reaching into thebag.
After calling Cruz, Nic took time to gatherhis clothes and other belongings.He still had things in Tahoe andat the cabin.He needed what was here.And if he didn’t check out,the charges would keep racking up until his credit card was denied.He couldn’t afford that.
But he was careful.As far as he could tell,no one was around.How long it would stay that way was anybody’sguess.He’d need to get a move on.Leaving this late, it would beafter midnight when he got into Merced.After hearing Julie’svoice, Nic’s need to be with her got stronger.Before he could getout of there, someone knocked on the door.
Crap.
Nic walked to the window, trying to see outwithout disturbing the curtains.The angle wasn’t good and hecouldn’t tell who it was.He reached for the weapon snugged at hisback.Before he got to the door, a voice on the other side brokethe quiet.
“Miss Galloway, are you there?”
He was trying to sound polite but the edgewas recognizable.The good sheriff was on the other side of thedoor.Nic cleared his throat, left the gun where it rested, andopened the door.
“Can I help you?”
“Ahh, yes, Mr.Duh, Duh...”
Nic didn’t give the guy the satisfaction ofpronouncing his name.“What can I do for you,DeputyRaines?”He really shouldn’t bait the guy but it was hard toresist.
“I’m looking for Julie Galloway.”
“And you think she’s here?”
Raines tapped his foot, but that was the onlyoutward sign of his irritation.
Nic continued.“I haven’t seen her since shewas bagged.”That was the truth.Besides, this guy might be asheriff, but he was also a murderer.It was okay to lie.“She’s notstill in jail?”
Raines pushed past Nic, and Nic let him.Ifhe could get out of there without incident, it would be better.Right now, the bad guy held all the cards.
“So, where is she?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know.Like I said, Ihaven’t seen her.I’d help you if I could.”
“Hmmph.”
Nic was tempted to remind the guy that he’dforgotten to look under the bed.He had looked in both the bathroomand the closet.Instead, he offered to help.
“If you’ll give me your number, I’d be gladto call if I see her.I have no plans to do so, though.We only hada fleeting, um, relationship.”
“Where are you headed?”
