Nelson by Dale Mayer

Author:Dale Mayer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Military, Romance
ISBN: 9781773361178
Publisher: Valley Publishing
Published: 2019-07-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

It felt weird heading out in the hottest part of the day this time. It was late afternoon, and they were out in a seedy part of town. And besides, it wasn’t like Elizabeth could forget Chelsea’s sudden appearance last time. Even the reminder had her walking closer to Nelson.

In a smooth and natural movement, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, murmuring, “I am. Just I particularly don’t want to meet someone right now.’

“Or anytime,” Nelson said. “Particularly given your interactions up until now.”

She winced at that. The afternoon held a deep mugginess, the smell off the ocean stronger than normal. She usually loved the salty tang, but today it had a sourness to it.

They walked in silence. But the air was filled with loud music, reeking of alcohol, drugs and cheap sex. They made their way to the coffeeshop and the far back corner where they were supposed to meet Special Agent Stan Johnson.

“Why here?” she murmured, as they sat down.

“Our request,” Nelson said. “Otherwise, it would be in an office and likely not until Monday. This way we share information—” She snorted at that, but he continued, “And it’s over faster.”

“Okay, that makes sense.” She was cheered to know she was in a very different situation than the last time she spoke to NCIS. Nelson and Taylor had supported her every decision, even when they hadn’t been the best choices. She appreciated that. “Thank you.”

Nelson slid her a sideways look. “For what?”

“For working with me and not treating me as a useless featherbrained female,” she admitted. “I know I haven’t been the easiest to live with, work with. But it’s because I care about Chris so much.”

He squeezed his arm tighter around her, tucking her up closer. “You’ve been fine,” he said. “Sure, we weren’t too happy when you showed up, but we adjusted. We all want the same thing—Chris home safe and sound.”

“Exactly.” She beamed at him. “Anyway, thank you.”

A tall lean man arrived before Nelson could answer. It wasn’t hard to identify the austere look on the man’s face. Nelson stood and quietly introduced themselves. “Taylor should be here in ten minutes.”

“Call me Stan,” said the stranger with a brief smile as he sat down beside Nelson. A waitress came, took their order and disappeared. And returned almost immediately with their coffees. Elizabeth really didn’t want caffeine at this hour but …she might need it to get through this.

Stan pulled out his tablet, set up the keyboard and said, “What do you have for me?”

She stayed quiet as Nelson filled Stan in on what they’d learned about Chris’s disappearance. Nelson kept the discussion minimal regarding King and Chelsea. Elizabeth found that interesting. Yet it made sense as NCIS needed to know some stuff, but did they need to know it all? How much was enough? She was glad Nelson talked to Stan, although she knew her turn would come.

There were several questions back and forth.

“And what say you, Elizabeth? Why do you think Chris is missing?”

She stiffened.

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