In the Shadow of the Shield (Secret Lives Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

eternity together in its cool shade. They never expected eternity to come so quickly for one of them and not the other. She always pictured them old and wrinkled, smiling and holding hands as they left this world for the next.
    Without Donnie, she had years of loneliness ahead of her. The big tree wasn’t so beautiful or comforting anymore.
    She dropped down to her knees and pushed some leaves away from the base of the stone. The sun shone brightly, but the air had a chill to it. Diana pulled her jacket in closer against the cold ocean breezes. The wind always blew at least a little in Virginia Beach. The time of year determined if it made you feel free and alive or chilled to the bone. This was a chilled to the bone kind of day.
    “I really miss you, you know,” she whispered as she traced the letters of Donnie’s name on the grave marker. “Things aren’t the same around here since you left us. Jackson has gotten so tall. Well over six feet now. He will be graduating soon and heading off to Virginia Tech. I know you would be so proud of him.”
    The bare branches of the oak tree rustled in the chill breeze. The tiny hairs at the base of her neck bristled. Looking around, she searched the cemetery but saw no one. So, why did she get the distinct feeling of being watched? Rising to her feet, she spun around, scouring the memorial park for movement or other indicators she wasn’t alone. Her hand slipped inside her purse and felt for her gun. With fingers wrapped around the little Glock, she focused on her car about fifty yards away and started toward it, praying no one grabbed her from behind.
    She moved at a pretty good clip. The car sat only about ten yards in front of her when a strong hand grasped her arm. Diana screamed, pulling her gun from her bag and spinning in the direction from where the arm came. She tripped on a rock and fell forward into the figure that had stopped her. They sprawled to the ground, her on top of him, in a tangled heap. She jumped to her feet and pointed the gun down at him where he was still spread out on the grass.
    “Put the gun away! I’m a cop!” He held a hand up in front of the barrel of the Glock. “I’m not here to hurt you.”
    Diana’s hand shook, but she didn’t lower the weapon. Feet planted firmly, she squared her shoulders and looked her attacker in the eye. “Show me your ID!”
    The man smiled and spoke softly. “I’m going to reach into my jacket and grab my badge. Don’t shoot me in the process, please.”
    “Do it. Slowly!” No one could say she hadn’t learned a thing or two from her detective husband.
    With his right hand, he reached up inside his collar and pulled on a chain around his neck. A black leather case slid out from inside his jacket. Flipping it open, he showed her a badge and ID combination she had seen hundreds of times before. Handing it to her, he waited while she inspected it. The badge read Virginia Beach Police Department, and the card identified him as Officer Carter Ryan. She slowly lowered her gun, but didn’t put it away just yet.
    “Sorry. A woman can’t be too careful these days.”
    “I understand, Mrs. Massey.”
    “Do I know you?”
    “I’m sure you don’t remember, but we met several years ago. Massey was my FTO.”
    Donnie had worked as a field training officer for rookies for several years before becoming a detective. She had met all of his trainees at least once, but there were so many. Diana shook her head.
    “I’m sorry, I don’t remember you.” The wind picked up. Diana hugged herself against the chill as the gust passed by them. “What are you doing here?”
    “I suppose the same thing you are. Would you mind if I stood up now? This ground is pretty cold and damp.”
    She stepped back and nodded. “Go ahead.”
    Carter Ryan moved with the grace and smoothness of a feline. She studied him while he straightened himself and brushed away dirt and leaves from his clothes and hair. He had clear blue eyes and the