Page 39 of Tracking the Alpha
“So nine soldiers,” he murmured.
“Seven, actually. Two left this afternoon and haven’t returned. Apparently, the major was raising hell about it. Thinks they might have gone AWOL.”
“They did, but not by choice.”
A cryptic statement until she clued in. “You killed them for the uniform.”
“No, they’re alive, which means I only have limited time to act.” His head tilted. “Someone’s coming.”
Without thinking, she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into her room. A space that had been claustrophobic before now seemed even smaller with the massive man standing within, close enough she felt the heat radiating from his body.
They were quiet as they heard the clomp of boots and murmur of voices.
“What a stupid meeting,” a male said loud enough to be heard. “As if we don’t know to be careful.”
“I was hoping we were going to be sent back to Petawawa,” complained a woman. “This posting sucks. Can’t call home. Can’t go into town to blow off steam.”
“If you need to blow something, Sheryl, I can help,” teased the third of the group.
“I’m into dick, not oversized clits, Ralph,” her quick riposte.
“Ouch!” exclaimed Ralph. “I know you’re frustrated, but that was just plain mean.”
“I’m tired of being treated like a prisoner,” Sheryl grumbled.
“Could be worse. We could be the ones locked up in the basement,” a somber remark by the first guy.
“Rumor has it they’re military,” whispered Ralph.
“According to who?” scoffed Sheryl.
“Tiffany, one of the lab assistants. She let it slip when we were canoodling.”
“Canoodling?” hooted Sheryl. “Who the fuck says that?”
“You should be careful,” serious guy said. “The major and general were very clear about us staying away from the civilians working the basement.”
“Gonna rat me out?” huffed Ralph.
“No. Just a friendly warning. Last two guys who got on the major’s bad side got sent into the woods and never returned.”
“Kind of like Joe and Kane this morning,” a subdued Sheryl murmured.
“Think the wolf got them?”
“They were in a van,” scoffed Ralph. “More likely they said fuck this shit and took off.”
“General will go batshit if they’re AWOL,” Sheryl opined.
“Is that any different from his usual mood?” snorted Ralph.
“You ladies going to stand around gabbing all night, or are we playing cards?” Sheryl mocked.
“I’ve got nothing left. You cleaned me out last night,” Ralph whined.
“Maybe you’ll win it back.”
Their voices got less distinct as they went up a level and turned on a radio.
