The Protector's Mission by Margaret Daley

Author:Margaret Daley [Graham, Lynne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460389119
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

NINE

Lydia heard the words Jesse said, but for a moment their meaning didn’t register. A bomb ingredient? What? How?

“Take off your coat and let me see if it’s on your slacks or shirt. Something on you has triggered Brutus.” While Lydia took it off, Jesse said to Brutus, “Good boy,” then gave him a treat.

As Jesse went into the storage room at the end of the hall, he said, “I’m hiding the coat, then I’m going to see if he does the same thing.”

When he returned, Lydia followed him and Brutus. Her heartbeat galloped as though she’d run a mile at full speed. How did she get the scent on her? She held her breath while Brutus checked the area and sat, then barked at a cardboard box.

Jesse retrieved the coat from behind the carton. “Do you have a paper bag? I’m going to take this to the lab and see if they can tell what Brutus is smelling.”

“Yes, there are some in the break room.” Lydia’s legs shook as she made her way there.

Jesse and Brutus were right behind her. “I’m going to assume it’s connected to this case until the lab tells me otherwise.” He dropped the coat into the sack. “So the question now is how did this happen?”

She shook her head. “It could be anything. I handled animals all day.”

“I want to evacuate the building while I walk through with Brutus and see if he can detect it anywhere else. I’ll have Officer Williams guard you outside in my SUV.” Jesse started for the front of the hospital. “Who’s all here?”

“I’ll let Matt and his assistant know. They’re in exam room three. JoAnn is getting my last patient.”

As Jesse disappeared through the door into the reception area, Lydia swiped her hand across her sweaty forehead and hurried to let her partner know what was going on. In the doorway, she called him out into the hall.

Matt frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Brutus detected a bomb ingredient on my coat. Jesse is evacuating everyone. I think more as a precaution.”

Matt settled his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll let Chris and Mrs. Marlowe know. We’ll be right out.”

“I’m so sorry, Matt. I shouldn’t have come back to work. I put everyone in danger.”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. We don’t know what’s going on.” He squeezed her shoulder and turned to go back into the exam room.

Lydia rushed down the corridor, her heart beating as fast as her steps. In the reception area, Officer Williams waited for her. “Where’s Jesse?”

“Outside with the staff and people in the building. He wanted to make sure no one else triggered a response from Brutus. Then he’s going to go through the building. He’s called Detective Caldwell.” He escorted her to the parking lot at the side of the building.

Brutus sat in front of JoAnn, and Jesse instructed her to remove her coat.

Lydia watched the scene as though she were viewing a movie, not really part of what was happening, just an observer. If only that were the case.

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