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screamed danger. His dark hair touched the tops of
his broad shoulders. He had a camouflaged baseball cap on his head
with a curly W on the front.
    “Excuse me,” he said, his voice low and thready.
“Well, well, if it isn’t little Sarah Mallery.”
    Kendria swore Sarah hissed like a cobra. “Grey
Sorenson. What are you doing back? Aren’t you supposed to be out
saving the world?”
    Something passed between the two of them, and Kendria
wasn’t sure she should be witnessing any of it.
    “I thought I’d give someone else a shot for a while.
Wanted to see you, of course.”
    Her sneer turned ugly. “Full of shit, just like
always.”
    He stepped between them and spun on a heel. “I don’t
lie, Captain.”
    “I know, Commander. I’m well used to the truths that fall from your lips.”
    If her words bothered him, he didn’t show it. Kendria
gulped when he put his gaze on her, however briefly.
    “Ma’am.”
    She held up a hand. “Hi.”
    Just as quickly as they’d found her, he looked back
to Sarah. “You know, if you’d just call in the right man to begin
with, the Marines wouldn’t have to be called in.”
    Sarah gave him her back. “I’ve yet to find one who
could hold his own with a Marine.” Another glare over her shoulder.
“Especially a sailor.”
    “One day, your mouth is going to put you in a
situation you can’t get out of.” Warning vibrated along his
words.
    “Thanks for the concern, Commander. I’m sure
I’ll be just fine. Come on, Kendria.”
    She gave him a wave and fell into step with Sarah.
“Are you okay?” she asked, peeking over her shoulder in time to see
the man finally turn away and walked off.
    “Yes. Sorry. That’s just the Navy and Marine
animosity going on there.”
    Before them was a bevy of people working on a big
gathering with five floats. “Sure, it is,” Kendria said. “Just like
I didn’t get my brains fucked out last night by Vance.” Sarah’s
slightly shocked expression had her shrugging without shame. “We’re
friends now, I can speak my mind. Oh, by the way, I’m a bit blunt,
as well. I think I mentioned that, but it deserved repeating.”
    ҉
    Vance wiped the grease from his hands and shoved the
rag back into his pocket. Music blared through the shop, and he
stopped to look around. His employees worked hard on vehicles. He
stared through to his office, groaning at the thought of the
paperwork awaiting him there.
    “Boss,” Charlie called out to him. “Some men here to
see you.”
    “On my way.” Guess the paperwork will have to
wait. He made his way to the front and slowed when he spied the
three men who’d been around Kendria’s car alongside the road. “Can
I help y’all?”
    Tall Man neared the counter. “Did that car get picked
up?”
    “Nope. Still in the shop. I’m still working on
it.”
    “The owner show?”
    He crossed his arms. “You told Deputy Boshay the
driver was your friend. Who is this person?”
    “You don’t need to concern yourself with that. We
just need to find her.”
    “So, it’s a her?” The one with the Napoleon complex
walked to a display of model older cars. Vance bristled. “Be
careful with that. I’d hate for it to get broken.”
    “It’s a shop; I’m sure things happen all the
time.”
    He shared a look with Charlie. “They do. Just like,
sometimes, people get caught under cars that are being lowered. Or
have tools hit them, accidentally, of course.”
    Middle Man stepped up and held out his arms. “We’re
not looking for trouble. We just want to find her.”
    “You seem pretty sure she’s here, but you weren’t
even sure this was her vehicle, or so you told the deputy.” Vance
made his way to the case and used his larger body to move the
smaller man away.
    “Things change. This is the one she rented.” Tall Man
kept messing with the inside of his coat.
    Vance knew he had a weapon there. No reason for
someone to wear a jacket this time of year in Georgia unless they
were hiding