Conduct Unbecoming - A Teague McMurtry Mystery

By Dellani Oakes

Teague McMurtry is a loyal friend. So when Aileen calls asking him to look for their friend, Nadeya, he can't say no. Nadeya taught him everything he knows about survival. She is dangerous and damaged, having seen her fiancé murdered. She's spent the last few years tracking down the men who killed him, seeking justice—or, at least, vengeance. When a body turns up on the beach, identical to a man Nadeya said she was looking for, suspicion targets her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dellani Oakes
• Release date: Nov 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502255563

Dellani Oakes

Dellani is a happily married mother of four—three boys and a girl. She also has one beautiful, golden haired granddaughter. She lives in the sunny, hot climes of Florida's east coast, not far from World Famous Daytona Beach. Dellani once told her publisher that she had enough books, finished & unfinished, to keep him busy for the next 10 years. He didn't believe her, but he should have. A few years later, she's upped that number. She has 53 finished novels, Conduct Unbecoming is her sixth published novel. Dellani hosts two shows a month on Blog Talk Radio – Dellani's Tea Time and What's Write for Me, which air on the Red River Radio Network. Look for Dellani's shows the second Monday of the month and the fourth Wednesday. Both shows air at 4:00 PM Eastern time.

Book preview

Dedication:

As always, for my husband & children. You may not understand what I do or why, but at least you don't mind that I do it.

For Casie, because you do understand.

For Audrey—because you're Nana's angel and I love you.

Many Thanks To:

Seth Bailey, Resident Bad Ass and My Weapon's Expert

Aileen Aroma, who encouraged me to write this and loaned me her name.

Karen Vaughn & Christina Giguere for being my cheering section.

CHAPTER ONE

Bright afternoon sunshine streaked through the drapes over his bedroom windows. A white hot beam lanced his eyes, making him tear up and flinch away.

No more tequila, he groaned, rolling away from the assault on his retinas.

A soft, warm body next to him grunted slightly and one hand rose to shove him away. Teague laughed, kissing the blankets over her head, before getting up. He closed the blinds all the way and went to the bathroom. The bedroom clock told him he'd slept far longer than he intended.

Time is it? the muffled female voice grumbled.

Almost two.

A.M.?

No, baby. Afternoon.

Shit! A tousled brunette head emerged suddenly from under the blankets. Shit, shit, shit! I have an appointment with the florist!

That's tomorrow, babe. It's Sunday.

Groaning, Vivica flopped on the bed, holding her head with both hands. "I hate sunlight. I hate tequila—" She pulled a pillow over her face.

You hate me too? Teague crawled on the bed, straddling her.

Vivica put the pillow aside. You're the only thing I don't hate.

Good, cause I'd sure hate for you to hate me. He took her hands, stretching them above her head as he kissed her.

Someone woke up happy, she giggled.

"Nope, woke up with a hell of a headache, but you woke up—so now I'm happy." He kissed her again, letting his lips drift to her shoulder.

I can tell, Vivica remarked as his lean, hard muscled body covered hers. I need to pee. She shoved at his chest, rolling from beneath him.

Go pee and come back naked, he said as he let her up.

Vivica winked provocatively at him before going in the bathroom. Teague divested himself of his pajama pants and threw back the covers. He was primed and ready when Vivica returned. She wore his old Army T-shirt and boy cut panties. He had those off her before she'd fully settled on the bed.

Someone's hungry, she remarked as he stroke her breasts with both hands.

I'm always hungry when you're around.

It was obvious Teague didn't want to talk at the moment. Truth be told, neither did Vivica. The months they'd been together had been the best of her life. Teague was a good man, thoughtful and kind. He was handsome and well-built and knew what he was doing in bed. Considering the men she'd had in her life up until she met him, she counted herself lucky in every way possible.

His cellphone rang. Groaning, Teague reached for it. He knew who it was before he answered. He had a special ringtone for that particular caller—Ming's Theme from Flash Gordon. Trouble was, he knew she'd call back until he picked up. Better to get it over with.

Yes, Ma'am.

Don't you even say hello?

Not when it's you. What do you need? He flopped on his back, excitement replaced by anger.

This is important, Sergeant.

I gave that rank back, Ma'am.

Don't be obtuse, Sergeant McMurtry. I need your help.

I'm a civilian now, Captain. If you'll excuse me, I'm in the middle of something. He moved to hang up.

Teague, wait! Please. Her voice broke.

His hand hovered over the off button. Sighing, he put the phone back to his ear. I can't do this again, Aileen. Last time we talked wasn't pretty.

Last time we talked, you walked out on me. This isn't about me. It's about Nadeya. Her best friend.

Teague pulled the blanket over his naked body, holding the phone tightly in his left hand. Vivica lay down on her side, leaning on her elbow.

She pulled the blankets to her chin, waiting. Teague rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.

What's wrong?

You're the only person I can trust with this, Teague. She's gone missing.

Aileen, that's what the police are for.

No! No. The police won't do anything. They said she's an adult and she can do what she wants. But she was acting crazy the last time I talked to her. I'm worried. Her voice caught in her throat and she burst into tears.

Teague closed his eyes, knowing he was going to regret his next words. What do you need from me, Aileen?

I need you to find her. Bring her home.

What makes you think I can find her. Wouldn't your local police be better equipped?

But she's not up here! She's in Florida to find the men—the ones—

The ones she says she saw. . . .

Yes. She sobbed. She was in therapy, making good progress. She was happy for the first time in years. Why would she leave like this?

Something triggered it. Any idea what?

No. None. I can't get much from her shrink. I'm not her contact person. I want you to talk to her.

Why? If she won't talk to you. . . .

Because, she'll talk to you. It's Isobel, she blurted.

Just because I slept with the woman a few years ago doesn't mean she'll talk to me about Nadeya now, Aileen. If anything, she's gonna be less inclined to talk to me.

Nadeya put you down as her emergency contact. I told her to use me, but she refused. Isobel will talk to you—for that reason, if nothing else.

I'm gonna regret this, Teague said. I know that before I start. How the hell am I gonna track down Nadeya or Isobel? I don't even know where to start.

That's where I come in. The smugness in her voice was like fingernails on slate. Teague shuddered.

Both Isobel and Nadeya were in Florida as of yesterday. Isobel is working at The Emotional Healing Clinic in Daytona and Nadeya has been seeing her for the past year.

Exhaling slowly, Teague nodded. Okay. I make no promises, but I'll see what I can find out. Happy now?

Aileen sobbed again. I won't be happy until Nadeya is home safely.

I hate you, Aileen.

I hate you more.

Bye.

Good bye—and thank you.

Teague hung up, dropping his Android on the bed. Vivica traced circles on his chest and abdomen, letting her fingers drift lower. Frowning, she bit her lip and lifted the covers.

There must be something seriously wrong with you. She licked and nipped his ear, letting her fingers do the walking. There was still no reaction from Teague. Slapping his chest, Vivica sat up. Okay. What's up, Sergeant? Cause that sure isn't the way your little soldier behaves!

Teague laughed, pulling her back down. Sorry. Former Army buddy. Her best friend, another Army officer, has gone missing. Nadeya quit about the same time I did. Her time there was even tougher than mine. She claimed that she witnessed something—a murder. No one believed her.

And?

I believe Nadeya. But she can't prove anything. She got so paranoid, she couldn't function. She was sure someone was trying to kill her—other than the enemy, that is.

Were others involved?

Yes. She's never been able to find them all—at least not when I last saw her. She'd found one and they even managed to have him arrested after he tried to kill her. He met with an accident in prison.

She had him killed?

Teague became evasive. Maybe. He wouldn't meet her gaze.

Vivica knew better than to ask anymore. He'd never tell her details, nor would he lie to her. Therefore, he'd stay quiet. It was one of the things she found most annoying, yet endearing, about him.

So, what's your first move?

Teague looked at the clock before rolling toward her. First, I make love to the most beautiful woman in the world. Then I see if I can figure out where Nadeya's gone.

Vivica and Teague spent a blissful hour in bed before getting up for a shower and a meal. Since she cooked, he loaded the dishwasher. Afterward, he got ready to go. Vivica sat on the bed, talking to him while he dressed.

So, what are you going to do?

Teague shrugged. Head up to the clinic and see if I can find Isobel.

Couldn't you just call?

He shook his head. Chances are, unless I sneak up on her, Isobel's not gonna want to talk to me.

Why?

Teague stopped with his wallet halfway in his pocket. He bit his lower lip, holding it a moment between his teeth. Well, Iz and I didn't part on the best of terms.

Vivica spread her hands, wiggling her head as if to say Well?

We dated some. It went real good for a while.

Until?

Until. . . . He sighed. "Until we had a major misunderstanding and broke up."

How major?

A Major-major. He ruffled his hair and tugged his ear. She had a thing with this major and I found out about it. Kinda squelched my enthusiasm. I raised a stink over it and nearly got myself a dishonorable discharge. Isobel pulled a few strings, got it hushed up. And I had to apologize to the Major for—breaking his nose.

Teague! You're so lucky you didn't get in a lot of trouble.

Yeah, well, Isobel knows some folks at the Pentagon real well.

Friends in high places.

Something like that.

So, she's a shrink, huh?

Yeah. She's been doing that a good few years. She handles Post Traumatic Stress cases and assault victims. Army shrinks claim Nadeya's got PTSD. I think she's got a bad case of eye witness blues, myself.

Oh, poor girl! Do you think she's gone after the men she saw?

That's what I'm fixin' to find out. He put his hand on her cheek, kissing her. Sorry to interrupt our day.

This is important. You find that girl and you help her, Teague. You do for her what you did for me.

His eyes twinkled as he stroked her cheek. Oh, like giving you multiple orgasms on a daily basis?

Be serious. You saved my life. Go save hers.

I'll do my best, babe. I'll give you a call later. He kissed her once more before heading out to his truck.

The sun beat down mercilessly. The seat of the truck was so hot, he was glad he'd worn long pants. He backed out of the driveway and headed to US-1 a couple blocks west of his house. He turned north, then west again, making his way to I-95. About 40 minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot at the Emotional Healing Clinic. Luck was on his side. They kept weekend hours.

Putting the truck in park, he sat with his hands on the steering wheel, staring at the building. He doubted that Isobel would be there on a Sunday, but maybe he'd find someone who knew Nadeya. It was a stab in the dark, but he had nothing else to go on. He couldn't sit at home until Monday, worrying about Nadeya. He was a man of action and needed to keep moving.

The sun off the pavement hit him hard, making him wince. The intense heat brought back the nearly forgotten hangover.

No more tequila, he mumbled as he walked up the sidewalk to the front door.

He showed his ID to the person at the desk and was directed to Isobel's office. By some miracle, she was there. Teague could see her through the window in the door. She was on the phone, talking briskly. Her hair was longer than the last time he'd seen her. Silver streaks, that he didn't think were coloring, frosted the thick, ebony waves. A pair of narrow, black framed glasses perched on her prominent nose.

Her dark brown eyes focused on the computer screen in front of her. Dark red polish glinted at him from her perfectly manicured nails, challenging him to interrupt her.

Taking a deep breath, he rapped sharply on her door, standing where she could see him through the glass. Isobel barely looked at him. She beckoned with her left hand as she concluded her call. A platinum band with three large, pillow cut sapphires, graced her ring finger. Teague opened the door, waiting for her to hang up and look at him.

I need to go. Yes, my next appointment is here. I don't care what you have to do. Take care of it. Bye.

Her gazed moved from the computer to Teague. It took her a moment, but she recognized him. Anger and happiness warred in her face for a moment. A professional mien descended quickly, replacing the emotional display. She stood, holding out her hand.

Sergeant McMurtry. I wasn't expecting you.

"It's just Mister McMurtry. Teague smiled, but it was somewhat halfhearted. Isobel. . . Dr. Carter."

It's Quartermain now. She wiggled her finger at him.

That was the name of—

The major you hit, yes.

So, married the Major.

"You didn't come here to talk about my wedding. She sent you, didn't she?"

They both knew which she Isobel meant. Only one