Page 12 of Lethal Threat

Another roadblock. I grunt. “Copy. Let’s get this over with.”

Chapter Five

SIERRA

I have a name. They say it’s mine, but it’s not familiar.

Sierra Owens. Thanks to fingerprints.

I look at my open hand. Why are my fingerprints on file?

“Sierra.” It’s a male voice that snaps me to attention.

Not because it’s my name, but because I’m the only one in the room. My gaze follows the sound.

A stern looking fire-plug-shaped man is standing in the entrance of my hospital room. He’s in a crisp uniform. The lines of his face are deep. He looks unhappy.

“Yes. I think I’m Sierra.”

Grumpy seems to be a theme today. I can relate. If his wrinkles are any sign, he’s like that a lot.

He strides into the room. “I know you are because I’m your commanding officer, Colonel Payne.”

For a beat I wonder if I’m dreaming.

After unclenching my molars, I try to get to the root of this grumpy visit. “Why do I have a commandingofficer?”

“You’re one of mine.”

I blink. I’ll admit, that’s not what I expected.

His hard eyes pierce me. “You’re in the Air Force.”

“Uh.” I glance around. “Are you sure?”

He gives a very crisp, single nod.

I feel like a balloon that’s been set adrift. This is the first attempt by someone to grab the string to pull me back to Earth. I hinge forward. “Oh my god. Can you tell me anything else?”

Colonel Payne watches me from below his bushy black eyebrows. They have a deep line between them. Permanent scowl indicator.

I search for anything familiar in his face and come up empty.

But then he surprises me. Something almost fatherly passes through his gaze for a few seconds.

“Look, Sierra,” he sighs, “I know this is a lot to take in at once. The police are looking into your accident.”

A quiver forms in my stomach. I lick my dry lips. “Have they found anything?”

“Nothing yet.”

My excitement evaporates. I hit a new low. “Now what do I do?”

He drops a hand on the footboard of the bed and looks around. “You go home with your fiancé and rest. God knows it beats this place.”

I turn to solid ice.Fiancé?

There’s a gasp by the door. “Colonel!”