“When we return, I’ll introduce you to Allie. She does the service dog training, and she’s helping with K-9 basics while I’m gone,” Cole volunteered. “Sparky doesn’t need any help. She can kick ass and take names.”
“I’m more concerned it seemed like a ploy to get me to leave my station,” Hollywood volunteered.
“Someone wants to know what we’re doing here,” Leo said. “Has anyone seen Sergeant Taylor today? She’s leaving the day after tomorrow.”
“I saw her earlier,” Cole said. “She said she’d come by when her shift ended.”
Leo frowned. “She’s provided a lot of information to us. If they corralled Sparky, what happens if they guess who’s supplying information to us?”
“Sergeant Taylor’s working with Rutherford’s replacement,” Taco said, biting into a sandwich.
“Someone watched his office. What if they surveilled her?” Leo said. “Shadow, do your thing and keep an eye on our Sergeant.”
“Yeah, boss,” Shadow said, leaving to find her.
“We don’t have much time,” Leo said. “If Cole’s guess is correct, then we need a plan. They’re planning an ambush for tomorrow. Sparky, tell us about the route the K-9 team will be taking tomorrow. Where do you think they’ll strike?”
Sparky sat for a minute, running the route in her head. The men waited patiently as she went over every detail.
“Can you drive the route with me? I can see it in my mind, but you’ll have eyes to determine the terrain and the best place,” she said, seeming uncomfortable.
Leo sighed. “Come on, Sparky. I know you can do this. It’s why I hired you.”
“There’s a place they refer to as the ridge. The rock hangs over the road. It seems too easy,” she said nervously.
“Tell us, Sparky,” Taco encouraged. “We trust you.”
“If we wanted to overtake them, we’d wait until they pass the ridge. About four clicks down the road, there’s a perfect spot to attack. It’s far enough from base, it’ll take time to get back up, and they’re counting on the dogs.”
Hollywood leaned in. “Those dogs are highly trained. What’s confusing them?”
“It can be anything,” Cole said, frustrated. “If they set off explosives beforehand, it can disorient the dogs.” He shuffled through the photos to the schedules. “We’re missing something.”
“The handlers don’t know something’s wrong until it’s too late,” Cole said, staring at the schedule. “Why bring the dogs in the day before?”
“Can they inject the dog with anything?” Liam suggested.
“If the K-9 seemed lethargic before they left, they’d have to switch out the team,” Cole said, staring at the schedule.
Sparky held the com to her ear. “It’s Shadow. He’s asking me to come to the garbage bins behind the dining hall.” Signaling with her hand, she alerted Ice. He stood and waited. Grabbing his harness, she left the barracks. Plugging their comms into their ears, Leo signaled Hollywood to follow him and the rest to watch over their barracks.
Sparky walked to where Shadow directed her. Leo and Hollywood lingered close by. “Hello?”
“Over here, Sparky,” he called softly. Ice led her to where Shadow crouched on the ground.
“She won’t listen to me,” Shadow said. “She’s on the ground to your left.”
Sparky knelt and felt Sergeant Taylor’s arm. “What happened?” she asked quietly.
“They beat her badly. She won’t go to the damn infirmary,” Shadow whispered. “I found her this way.”
Sparky took her hand. “Sergeant Taylor, how did you get in here?”
“They left me…for dead,” she croaked out. “I crawled back here and was waiting until dark.”
“I see,” Sparky answered. “Cole, I need you to come get Ice. Have Patch come with you with the portable gurney and medical kit. I’ve passed out from the heat. Shadow, give me your shirt and hat to cover my hair. Leo, you’ll help Patch take me back to our barracks. Hollywood, you, and Apollo will keep me company until we can make our way back.” Sparky unbuttoned her shirt
“Whoa, can you give me some warning?” Shadow said, taking off his shirt and shoving it in her hand.
