Secondary Targets Read Online Free PDF Page A

analysis.
    Grace hated that about Eric. He always knew the thoughts running through her head, no matter what façade she summoned.
    She surveyed the diner around them. The early-morning crowd had thinned out and the three waitresses in their matching uniforms wore the same corresponding looks of relief. All seemed thankful for the reprieve before the next crowd filed in. If the breakfast meal was any indication, lunch time would be just as packed.
    Their waitress placed a bill on the table near Eric. He fished his wallet from his back pocket as he perused the ticket. Grace didn’t feel exactly comfortable when he placed a couple of twenties on top of their check.
    “I can pay for my breakfast,” she said, reaching for her purse.
    Eric’s emerald eyes traveled up slowly and locked with hers, their color darkening.
    Uh oh.
    She braced for his backlash.
    None came. Instead, Eric snorted and stood, burying his wallet back into his pocket. He started walking away and after a couple steps he looked over his shoulder. “You coming?”
    Grace grabbed her purse and chased after him, catching up at the door. “Wait, where are we going?”
    “Cherry Point,” he said, pushing the door open.
    They crossed the threshold into the crisp fresh air. “Cherry Point?” she asked, following him the few short paces between the freshly groomed lawn and his car. “Why are we going there?” She leaned against the car, waiting for him to unlock the doors.
    Eric remained silent until they were both inside the vehicle. “We need to know exactly how big this thing is.” He rested one hand on the steering wheel, the other along the back of the seat and turned to Grace. Her confusion must have fluttered out into her expression because he gave her a pitying look, and said, “We need to know how deep this thing goes, and how many people might be involved.”
    “And going to Cherry Point is going to tell us all that?” she asked, a vague sense of uneasiness pushing out the words.
    Eric turned the key. “If we’re lucky.” He shifted the car into gear and backed out of the parking space.
    He wasn’t telling her the whole story. Panic and anxiety knotted inside Grace. She hadn’t seen Eric in a long time. What if she’d misplaced her trust?
    Grace mentally slapped herself across the face, so hard she almost felt the stinging sensation burning her cheek. Her fingers offered a gentle touch as she tried to massage away the phantom pain.

    T he fifteen minute drive to Cherry Point passed by as quietly as breakfast. Eric’s silence was as daunting as the endless possibilities, none of which made sense. Maybe a visit to Cherry Point was just the ticket. At least the base might shed some light on why her father had disappeared from the nearby national cemetery.
    Eric parked in front of the JLC building. Suspicion induced Grace to observe him guardedly. Going to the base’s legal center made no sense.
    He didn’t stop to explain his methods, didn’t bother to check if she was following him until he was well onto the sidewalk and halfway up the walkway toward the central entrance. By then, he’d stopped, turned and planted his hands on his hips and started shaking his head. “Well,” he mouthed the words, “come on.”
    Grace shoved the door open and exited the car. Had Eric always been this rude? She couldn’t recall a time when he was. He must have acquired his new trait while they were apart. She slammed the door and charged up the walkway.
    A desire to retaliate consumed Grace, but she fought it. Pissing him off wasn’t a good idea. And the only words floating around her head right now would have only brought out his resentment.  
    In a nutshell, as far as Grace could see, Eric resented her. He resented her presence. And he definitely resented her predicament.
    Better to resent her for splitting, than loathe her for staying.
    Grace strolled up onto the sidewalk.
    Eric latched onto her wrist. “Would you come on?”
    Her arm felt