Meet the FBI special agents of the elite Classified K-9 Unit in this exciting new novella!
Classified K-9 Unit: These FBI agents solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners
FBI intern Zara Fielding and her K-9 partner, Radar, stumble across a robbery gone wrong and put themselves in the criminals crosshairs. Her childhood friend FBI computer guru Dylan OLeary works for the secretive FBI unit she longs to join, and he vows not to let anything happen to her. As they work to stay one step ahead of the bad guys, new feelings ignite. When she goes missing, its only Dylanand Radarwho can track her down. Will they arrive in time to save her and the future she and Dylan have started dreaming about?
Look for more books in the Classified K-9 Unit series from Love Inspired Suspense.
Dear Reader,
I hope youve enjoyed this short intro to the Classified K-9 Unit continuity series from Love Inspired Suspense. Building a team of elite K-9 officers and their partners is always a treat. Former Billings police officer Zara Fielding and the units computer expert, Dylan OLeary, became embroiled in extreme circumstances that tested and sharpened their faith, and both are stronger for it as they opened their hearts to God and love.
There are times in all of our lives when we face a trial that seems insurmountable, but if we trust in God and hold on to our faith, He will see us through.
Look for more of the Classified K-9 Unit books:
April 2017, Book #1 by Terri Reed: Guardian
May 2017, Book #2 by Laura Scott: Sheriff
June 2017, Book #3 by Valerie Hansen: Special Agent
July 2017, Book #4 by Lynette Eason: Bounty Hunter
August 2017, Book #5 by Shirlee McCoy: Bodyguard
September 2017, Book #6 by Lenora Worth: Tracker
December 2017, Christmas novella collection by Terri Reed and Lenora Worth: Classified K-9 Unit Christmas.
Enjoy!
Terri Reed
Agent-in-Training
Terri Reed
www.millsandboon.co.uk
MILLS & BOON
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To my family, for all your love and support through all the hours of writing.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
TERRI REEDs romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on the Publishers Weekly top twenty-five and Nielsen BookScans top one hundred lists; theyve also been featured in USA TODAY, Christian Fiction Magazine and RT Book Reviews. Her books have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award and the National Readers Choice Award and have been finalists three times for the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. Contact Terri at terrireed.com or PO Box 19555, Portland, OR 97224.
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Dear Reader
Title Page
Dedication
Bible Verse
About the Author
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
Extract
Copyright
ONE
The crisp October night air blowing through the open window of her small SUV sneaked beneath the collar of former Billings, Montana, police department K-9 officer Zara Fieldings sweater and sent a shiver down her spine.
The sensation struck her as one more of foreboding than a change of the seasons. Though she couldnt have pinpointed why. Tension tightened her shoulder muscles. Old habits died hard as she kept her gaze alert for trouble on this Friday night.
Foot traffic in downtown Billings was light, the restaurants lively while the storefronts were dark along Montana Avenue. She and her canine partner, a multipurpose, black-and-white border collie named Radar, were headed home after a long day at the FBIs Tactical K-9 Unit indoor training facility.
The unit was a special classified branch of the FBI that had settled in a nondescript building in downtown Billings. The secret nature of the teams cases needed anonymity to function. They worked across the country, under the radar, to solve tough crimes and deliver swift justice. She wanted to be a part of the team. For now, shed gladly settled for interning thanks to an old friends recommendation. And shed applied and been accepted to the FBI academy. Her dream, her prayer, was to be assigned to the Tactical K-9 Unit when she returned from training at Quantico.
The distant cheer coming from the nearby high school football stadium made her sigh. Shed have liked to be at the game of her alma mater, but Radar wouldnt have done well with the rowdy crowd. He was still so skittish around loud noises. So was she, if truth be told. Not that shed admitted that to anyone. She had to be strong if she hoped to become an FBI agent.
From the back compartment of the vehicle, Radar barked. The sharp sound made Zara ease up on the gas. She scanned the area looking for what had caused Radar to alert as her heart lifted. Several long months had passed since the incident that left him concussed and afraid.
She didnt see anything troublesome. A few people came and went from several pubs, their merriment drifting to her on the autumn breeze. An antiques stores outside light flickered, creating a colorful glow on the sidewalk. What is it, boy?
He barked again and scratched at the back hatch, a clear signal he wanted out. Probably needed a bathroom break.
She pulled the rig to the curb and hopped from the vehicle. After freeing Radar from his compartment, she leashed up and allowed him to lead her down the street. He stopped at an alley between two brick buildings. His tail raised high; his ears perked up. Zaras heart rate kicked into high gear. He was definitely alerting to something. A good sign he was on his way to healing. The hard work she and Radar had invested in his recovery was finally paying off.
She strained to listen. Hushed male voices bounced off the brick walls. There were people down there. A drug deal happening?
She assessed the buildings. On her right, Petrov Bakery, her favorite in the city, was dark and deserted. The other storefront on the left was occupied by a high-end jewelry store. It, too, was shrouded in shadow and appeared empty.
Her hand reached for her radio but found only her shoulder. The muscles in her stomach clenched. She wasnt on the job anymore. Shed quit when the police department had decided to decommission Radar. Theyd given up on him, but shed refused to, not after what trusting her had cost him.
Touching her hand to her personal weapon holstered at her waist, she decided if Radar wanted to investigate, they would. Her turn to start trusting him. If this turned out to be nothing, then no harm done. But if there were some nefarious activities taking place, shed call the situation in on her cell.
Reining in Radars leash to keep him close, she moved quietly down the alley toward the back of the building. Moonlight flashed on a van with its back doors open parked behind the jewelers. Keeping to the shadows, Zara tugged Radar with her to duck behind a stack of wooden crates where she could observe. A low growl emanated from Radar.
Quickly, she gave him the hand signal to let him know to be quiet. The dog settled but remained alert and ready to work.
Gratified by his obedience, she couldnt wait to tell Dylan. The FBI Tactical K-9 Units communications expert was a dear friend and the one whod suggested she volunteer as an intern for their unit. Which allowed her to bring Radar to their facility for retraining after the horrible event that had nearly killed them both.
Two men came out of the store to set boxes inside the cargo hold. Both men wore ski masks. Zara stifled a gasp. The men were robbing the place. She had to call for backup. She yanked her cell from her pants pocket and dialed the Billings Police Department.
She pressed the phone tight to her ear as the BPD dispatcher answered. Billings Police Department, what is your emergency?
Robbery in progress, she whispered. She gave him the address.
Got it. Stand by.
Tension vibrated through Radar. She soothed him with her hand. Good boy, she whispered.
Her phone chimed with an incoming text message, the noise echoing off the back of the buildings. A rush of panic trapped her breath in her lungs. Why hadnt she thought to turn the sound off? Hurriedly, she set her phone to silent.
One of the masked men spun toward where she hid, a gun in his hand. The second man said something before slamming shut the vans side-panel door and scurrying to the drivers side. The vans engine turned over.
The one with the gun walked toward where she and Radar were hunkered down. Zara sent up a silent prayer of protection.
Someone there? the man shouted.
Zara wrapped an arm around Radar and drew him farther into the shadows. Her heart raced. Adrenaline flooded her system.
A faint snap echoed off the brick building and a bullet hit the pallet of crates, splintering the wood. Hed fired at them.
A spike of fear ripped through her.
That was close. Too close.
Radar barked and strained against her hold. She cringed but wouldnt release him unless absolutely necessary. She withdrew her weapon from its holster and held it down at the ready.
She heard the shooters partner yelling for him to get in the van.
The masked man fired again. The bullet hit the ground near Radars feet, and bits of pavement bit into Zaras shin. She swallowed a yelp and gritted her teeth as horror crashed over her. She and Radar were trapped.
She had to protect her partner.
Before the man could fire a third round, Zara did what shed been trained to do. She blocked out everything but the target, aimed and pulled the trigger.
* * *
A sharp rap on the communications room door jerked Dylan OLearys focus from the bank of monitors.
His unit leader, Max West, stood in the doorway wearing his everyday attire of creased khaki pants and the dark blue polo shirt with the FBI Tactical K-9 logo on the breast pocket. Our interns been in a shooting.
Dylans heart stalled. Zara!
BPD wants our help, Max said before striding away.
A wave of dread washed over Dylan as he grabbed his mobile gear and hurried after his boss. Zara was like family. The Fieldings had taken Dylan in when he was sixteen after his parents senseless death in a boating incident. He was forever grateful to them for the care and love theyd bestowed on him, Zara in particular.
One year younger than him, shed been the one to keep him supplied in tissueswithout commentwhen hed cry himself to sleep at night. And shed been the one to sit with him after his nightmares. Shed been so compassionate and thoughtful, never once pushing him to talk about what had happened or judging him for showing emotion that someone else would consider weakness.
When Zara had decided to follow in her fathers and brothers footsteps and join the police academy, Dylan had been both afraid for her and proud of her. She was a tough cookie, determined and competent.
Shed done a good job. She and her all-purpose canine partner had made over a dozen narcotic arrests, recovered a missing child and apprehended a fugitive hiding in the Pictograph Caves outside of Billings.
Then one fateful call had nearly ended hers and Radars careers and their lives. A day that haunted Dylan.
Vouching for her had been a no-brainer when shed shown an interest in working for the FBI. It hadnt taken much for Dylan to convince his boss to give Zara a chance by letting her intern. As a police officer, shed already been through a thorough background check, enough to help out on their highly classified team. Shed been doing a great job, had integrated well into the group. And now she could be hurt. Or worse.
Please, God, no. I cant take another death.
Especially hers.
TWO