Secondary Targets Read Online Free PDF

smaller than he’d let himself remember. Eric’s head filled with compromising memories that threatened to take his sanity and wash it downriver.
    “What are we doing here?” she asked, as Eric hauled her toward the entrance.
    “Just be cool and let me do the talking,” he said as the sliding doors parted. “I know that’s hard, but just try. Okay?”
    “Very funny.” She yanked her arm away from Eric and shot him a fierce look.
    He shushed her as they approached the reception desk.
    “Lt. Colonel Wayne...” The enlisted girl behind the counter rose and saluted, examining him oddly. Perhaps because she’d never seen him out of uniform.
    “There’s no need to salute me.” He scanned her nameplate with a stealthy glance. “Corporal Lynch.”
    “Sir?”
    “I’m out of uniform,” he said with a shrug and a wink. “Tell me, is Sergeant Billings in today?”
    “Yes sir, he is.” She sat back down in her chair. “I’ll tell him you’re here,” she said, reaching for the telephone.
    Eric muttered his gratitude, turned to Grace and tugged her to a row of nearby chairs.
    “Now can you tell me why we’re here?” she whispered. “What’s the plan?”
    “I’m just calling in a favor, that’s all.” Eric folded his arms over his chest and relaxed in the chair. He had to keep his distance, and if that meant keeping her at arm’s length on all accounts then so be it. He had to find out what happened to the General, but he didn’t have to let her under his skin in the process.
    Nope. That wasn’t an option. Once this was over, Grace Hendricks could go about her merry way, which suited Eric just fine—so long as it was as far away from him as possible.
    The clerk popped her head up over the counter. “Sergeant Billings will see you now, sir.”
    Eric stood and reached for Grace’s hand. They walked down the corridor behind the receptionist, and he said a silent prayer of thanks for Grace’s silence.
    He paused in front of Billings’ door and glanced at Grace. “Just let me do the talking, and don’t stare.” He released her hand, opened the door and stepped aside so she could enter first.
    Billings shot to his feet and moved around the desk. “Lt. Colonel Wayne,” he said, saluting with his only arm. Eric returned the gesture.
    “Sergeant Billings.” Eric stepped in front of Grace to shake the sergeant’s hand.
    “Sir, what can I do for you and...?” his words trailed off as he studied Grace.
    “Billings, this is Grace Hendricks.” Eric paused, taking a brief interlude to check her. She showed no signs of gawking at the sergeant.
    “This is Grace?” Excitement poured out in Billing’s voice. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he said, turning toward her. “I’ve heard so much about you. All of it good.”
    She cast a quick, what-the-hell’s-he-talking-about look at Eric, then focused on Billings. “Thank you,” she said, shaking the sergeant’s hand.
    “She’s the late General Hendricks’s daughter,” Eric said.
    “General who?” The sergeant displayed an expression of sheer ignorance.
    “Sorry,” Eric said. “I guess that was a little before your time here.” 
    “So what brings you to the Point today?” Billings asked. “Believe me, if I didn’t have to be here, I wouldn’t.”
    “I was wondering if I could borrow your computer terminal for a few minutes.” Eric massaged his own arm. The right one. The same as the sergeant’s only remaining arm, and Eric wasn’t going to let him forget that. What good was a limb without a life? Billings wouldn’t have either, if not for Eric, and he wasn’t above playing the guilt card now if it got him what he wanted.
    “I could get into huge trouble.” Billings shook his head.
    “Of course, if we look but you don’t give us permission...” Grace’s voice trailed off.
    “That would require my not being in the room, now wouldn’t it?” Billings said.
    “Yes, it would.” Eric slipped his fingertips