A Risky Assignment

By Sandra S. Kerns

Burke Goffe survived the war, but at what cost? Dealing with changes back home didn’t go well. Landing a job with Master Security as a system designer, allows him to distance himself from people so he can’t screw up again. Then his boss asks for a personal favor he can’t turn down and his self-contained life explodes.

As a teen, Stella Printz beat cancer and never looked back. Fourteen years later, she’s living her fantasy in Colorado where she opens a dinner/dance club. She never imagined her dream would turn into a nightmare. When her business is vandalized, she turns to Master Security for help. One problem. The man assigned the task is antisocial to the nth degree. But Stella’s faced worse than him and kept smiling. She’ll bring him out of his shell if it kills her.

Unfortunately, it’s the killing her part that has Burke worried. Can he keep her safe? Can he survive her endless cheerfulness? Or will they both become victims of a psycho’s game?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandra S. Kerns
• Release date: Aug 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370890613

Sandra S. Kerns

Sandra writes romantic suspense. She enjoys speaking to writer's groups as well as libraries and reader groups. An award-winning author, she has no time to rest on her laurels. To keep her readers happy she tries to publish at least 4 novels each year and usually another Christmas novella at the end of the year. For inspiration she looks out at the Rocky Mountains from her back patio or watches the waves when she visits Cocoa Beach, Florida.

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A Risky Assignment

A Master Security Novel

by

Sandra S. Kerns

~~~~

Copyright © 2016 Sandra S. Kerns

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

Cover design by Itsy Design

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

Chapter One

Tuesday morning, Burke paced his motel room like a caged lion. He’d given up on getting more sleep by four, too worried about his upcoming meeting. Rising early led to an hour of exercise before a long run.

The run had helped more than anything. With his motel on the edge of Braedon, a town just east of its Colorado mountain town namesake Braedon’s Edge, he’d easily found a path to run. It wasn’t a path tended by anyone, just one that had formed over years of use. Because of the lack of grooming he was forced to pay attention to where his feet landed. That served to get his mind off other things for a while.

Unfortunately, the while never lasted long enough.

He couldn’t say exactly how many miles he’d run. As usual, he ran until it was difficult making it back to the motel. That always afforded him a little more time before his brain kicked back in.

Forcing himself to sit at the small table he tried to listen to the news channel he’d turned on after finishing his shower. Now the news anchor was talking about national news. That led into international news. Just his luck, this morning they gave an update on Afghanistan. He grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. Having lost too many friends there, he didn’t watch news about it. He set the remote on the table with great deliberateness. It was that or throw it through the television and he didn’t have the money to replace it.

Maybe eating would help.

He doubted it, but at least it would get him out of the room until his appointment. As he pulled his truck keys from his front pocket, he slipped his room key in his back one, and then put on his sunglasses.

Opening the door, he realized the sun had come up in its full glory. It didn’t give him any comfort. There were people who swore being in the sun lifted depression. He wasn’t one of them. Since he’d been back, it had rarely warmed him inside or out.

Whine much? he mumbled to himself as he walked to his truck.

He was so wound he yanked the truck’s door hard enough on the first try this morning. After climbing in, he slammed it closed. Breathe. His mentor’s favorite reminder popped into his head.

Where’ve you been? I’ve been working myself over for more than three hours already. You’re late.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, he backed out of his spot and left the motel’s parking lot. He wasn’t expecting an answer because no one was in the truck with him. He’d left his mentor behind when he’d come to Braedon’s Edge on a job interview the man had set up. Burke had been so surprised when he’d been hired he’d called his mentor. Of course, Granger hadn’t been surprised. Confidence radiated from the man. Confidence and support. That’s why Burke talked as if he was with him. Granger’s answers were always better than the crap he came up with on his own. Not that the man pulled any punches. He didn’t allow anyone to wallow in self-pity long. He just had a superior way of changing a person’s focus rather than issuing orders or insults.

Burke swiped a hand over his head and stretched his neck.

Okay, pity party is over, time for a breakfast burrito and coffee, he said pulling off the road.

It wasn’t a restaurant or even a diner. It was an old food truck. For Burke, it was convenient and quieter than driving anywhere in Braedon or having to deal with the crowds at the diner in Braedon’s Edge.

Let me guess, the old man at the window said as he grabbed a large paper cup. You want a large coffee and a breakfast burrito with chorizo and hot sauce.

Nodding, Burke pulled money from his pocket and placed it on the counter before picking up the coffee. The man made the burritos up fresh, so, he had a few minutes. He walked over to the same picnic table he’d eaten at for the past month. There was one spot on the bench seat that had a tree directly behind it. That allowed him a modicum of protection. Having been in a situation in Afghanistan where the enemy could sneak up on him, he never left his back unprotected if possible anymore. Besides, this spot afforded him a clear view of the truck, traffic from both directions, and the Rocky Mountains. It was as close to a place of comfort he’d found in a long time.

From the corner of his eye he saw the old man open the back door of the truck and step down onto an old milk crate he used for a step. He held two baskets in one hand and a cup in the other as he walked toward the table.

Would you mind if I joined you this morning?

Yes was on the tip of his tongue, but Burke forced himself to shrug. A wide smile lit up the man’s face. That surprised Burke. He was more accustomed to making people frown.

Thanks, the man said taking a seat opposite but not right in front of Burke. He slid one basket with a large breakfast burrito across the table.

It’s been really slow this morning. By now I’ve usually gone through three or four pots of coffee. I’ve barely used two today.

It’s early, Burke heard himself say.

Not for me. I do my best business between five and eight. See, people who work in the mountains and live just beyond the foothills on their way up and people who live in the mountains but work below on their way down, have to leave home early. They provide some of my best business. Then again, it is summer time and people are on vacation. Although that usually means my business picks up, I guess most people have already arrived at their reserved camps and such by now.

I wouldn’t know. Don’t think I’ve ever been on a vacation.

Why did I say that?

The man chuckled. I hear that. I’d go crazy with nothing to do but walk around all day.

Burke nodded even though that wasn’t why he’d said it. Growing up on a dairy farm there hadn’t been time or money for vacations. After college he’d gone straight into the army. The rare times he’d been stateside he’d spent helping his parents repair things on the farm. Now though the old man’s comment was closer to true. Being idle wasn’t a good thing for Burke. It let too many demons start playing with his head.

They continued to eat in silence. The man had just opened his mouth to say something else when two cars pulled up.

I figured if I sat down business would pick up. Have a good day, young man. Thanks for the company.

Burke offered what he hoped looked like a smile before turning back to his breakfast. While he chewed on a bite, he looked over the newcomers. One was a mother already frazzled by all appearances. He could see three car-seats in the back and could hear crying. He watched as she climbed out of the SUV and opened the back driver’s side door. She appeared to make a few adjustments to something and the crying ceased. She closed the door then leaned on it for a second before pushing off and walking toward the truck to place an order.

The other car had held a businessman. He’d exited his car in a rush to beat the woman to the window. The phone he spoke into never left his ear while he ordered and paid. He didn’t move from the window even though the old man pointed toward the woman.

Just give me my order, old man.

His angry and impatient tone grated on Burke’s last nerve. He stood, but caught the old man’s gaze and the negative shake of his head. Deciding not to intervene unless the idiot did something more, he remained standing but leaned against the tree while he drank his coffee. Less than a minute after the man got his coffee and a small bag of something, he sped off sending gravel flying. The woman jumped as small bits of gravel hit her bare legs.

Burke couldn’t stop himself from crossing the space this time.

Are you alright? he and the old man asked at the same time.

Yes, thanks, she said brushing at her calf. It didn’t hurt as much as startle me. I hope he gets wherever he’s going safely.

I hope the other people on the road do, Burke mumbled as he turned away. He heard the old man chuckle.

While he was glad the woman wasn’t hurt it didn’t do much to quell the anger building inside him. First, the whole point of stopping here was to kill time and calm down. Obviously, that had been a bad idea. Not that he’d had many good ones lately. Second, why had he even thought about getting involved? His track record as a protector wasn’t great unless he had a uniform on and a weapon in his hands. Even then it was far from perfect he thought. Dropping back onto the picnic table’s bench, he pushed the negative thoughts aside and concentrated on finishing his breakfast. Another car pulled up, this one was full of teenage girls. He’d seen the small espresso machine in the truck and figured the girls would order the fancy things that passed for coffee these days.

He saw the woman he’d spoken to earlier go back and forth to her car several times. She’d stopped for more than the quick cup of coffee he’d expected her to grab. In between her food order cooking, the old man had taken orders from the girls. Thankfully, it all kept the man busy long enough for Burke to finish and climb back in his truck. He did manage to nod and wave when he noticed the man doing so.

Tell me something good about today.

Sometimes having Granger’s voice in his head was annoying.

Come on.

Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, Burke blew out a breath. He thought for a minute as he drove toward town. I didn’t deck the jerk at the coffee truck.

He’d said it out loud as if Granger could hear him. In his mind he could see his mentor’s sarcastic grin. He’d rarely let him get away with such answers while he’d been in residence at Hand-up Haven, an organization that helped vets who were having trouble adjusting after returning home.

Thinking about his time there wasn’t necessarily comforting. He’d been withdrawn in the beginning and fought counseling every step of the way. He should have been thrown out. Shaking his head, Burke felt his anger start to recede. He actually started to feel calm as he took the final turn into Braedon’s Edge. A short distance down the road the calm evaporated like dew in the warm morning sun.

He looked at the woman sitting on a bench in front of a supper club. Why was she at a club only open at night when it wasn’t even eight in the morning? Then he noticed her arms wrapped around her middle and if he didn’t miss his guess, she was rocking back and forth. Something had spooked her. His foot lifted off the accelerator and was about to press the brake when a police car with flashing lights pulled into the parking lot. So, there was trouble. However, the police showing up meant he wasn’t needed. Of course, it wasn’t any of his business anyway.

The fact that he’d been ready to step in for the second time in half an hour, gave him pause. What the hell was he thinking? He had enough trouble dealing with his own life.

What life?

And just like that the microscopic bit of calm shattered and his mind filled with negatives.

His life consisted of sitting in a motel room, reading a report and blueprints, then designing a security system and dropping the design off, before returning to his room. If he didn’t get another assignment right away he got antsy. He’d hike, run, and exercise until his body revolted and he’d fall into an uneasy sleep. However, living this way meant he didn’t have to deal with people or relationships. He’d already screwed up enough in that department. The only problem was the noise. Staying in a motel, even on the outskirts of town, meant horns, shouting, pounding, and a myriad of other sounds that sent him back to Afghanistan in his thoughts and dreams. Not a great place to be. Unfortunately, the quieter times reminded him of his parents and the mess he’d made on that front. Either way wasn’t good.

What he needed was to find somewhere to live farther outside Braedon city limits and another job that could fill up the down time at the security office. The only reason he hadn’t looked yet was he wasn’t sure the job he currently had would pan out. Well, not so much the job as him on the job. Master Security had a good track record and it was expanding, which was why there was a position for him in the first place. He knew the only reason they’d offered him the position was Harlan Granger’s recommendation. If not for that, Burke’s reputation since returning stateside would have tanked any hope.

His hands twisted on the steering wheel as the past eight months played through his mind. When his last tour was done, he’d had enough. Watching friends die, never knowing if he would be next and not caring if he was, had made the decision for him. The military didn’t need men without focus. Unfortunately, he got home too late to help his father save their farm. That news had hit him harder than the concussion blast from an IED. Learning it had happened months earlier and his father had kept it from him felt like the ultimate betrayal and Burke hadn’t handled it well.

A bender was the nice way his father chose to categorize his behavior, but Burke knew better. Benders didn’t last months. No, he’d been on the verge of a complete breakdown. When he found himself threatening a man with a broken beer bottle one night, he accepted the fact he needed help. Harlan Granger’s name had popped into his head.

Before he had resigned his commission, a friend had told him about the Hand-up Haven program Granger had started and how it helped a friend of his after he got stateside. Burke had called Granger from his truck in the parking lot of the bar that night.

Three months later, he’d driven to Braedon’s Edge with a recommendation letter in his hand and an appointment with Master Security. Now he was due for his thirty day evaluation. As he pulled into a spot across the street, he realized he was more nervous than he’d ever been in combat. He sat there staring at the office from his truck.

It’s not going to get better sitting here, he said into the silence surrounding him. With one last deep breath, he grabbed his latest design from the passenger seat, and climbed out of the truck.

Entering the office didn’t assuage his apprehension.

The place was a hive of activity this morning. Most of the time when he came, it was relatively quiet with Jonathan Smitt and Ace Masters the only people in residence. Today there were seven people in the front area and they were all talking. Okay, maybe they weren’t all talking at the same time, but enough were talking to make it loud. Burke avoided loud. He was about to leave when he saw Tres Masters near the back of the area, raise his hand and motion for him to join him.

Hey, Burke, Tres said with a smile as he held out his hand. Glad you could come in today.

The man always had a smile on his face. Most of the time, Burke didn’t trust people who smiled that much, but you could see Tres’ smile was genuine. Shaking his hand and nodding, Burke held up the tube of plans. It was no problem. I had to turn these plans in anyway.

Right, the Entreat Corporation system, thanks. That’s one thing off the to-do list for the day. They’ve been calling every day asking when it would be ready, Tres said and held up his hand as Burke started to interrupt. Not your problem. This is a week ahead of schedule and I appreciate that. They’re just one of those impatient clients. Let me hand this off to Jonathan and then we can talk in my office.

Standing in military at-ease stance, he waited for Tres to return. When he did he was chuckling and shaking his head before he clapped a hand on Burke’s shoulder.

You’re not in the military anymore. You can relax.

Burke nodded again, but he didn’t know how to do as Tres suggested. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d relaxed. War zones weren’t exactly comfortable places. Then, realizing his selfishness in leaving had cost his family their farm eliminated any possibility of relaxation when he returned home. Guilt and anger were his normal state of existence. He followed Tres into his office, but didn’t sit until the man motioned toward the seat across from the desk. Masters relaxed against the back of his chair, but Burke sat ramrod straight on the edge of his.

Have you enjoyed your work here?

Yes, sir. Granted, Burke wouldn’t have used the word enjoy, but it kept his mind occupied and provided a paycheck without having to spend much time around people. It wasn’t that the noise of being around people would set off a post-traumatic stress reaction or anything. Well, maybe a little. Mostly, it was a fear of getting involved. That always led to relationships of some kind and he knew he’d screw it up. The thought of any relationship had sweat breaking out on his forehead. Watching Tres Masters chew on the corner of his mouth, Burke had a feeling the interview was going downhill at a fast pace.

Any complaints?

No, sir. You? He figured there was no sense in prolonging the wait.

Not a one, Tres said leaning forward. Dos and I have both looked over the systems you’ve designed and never made a change. You always beat your deadline and have never turned down a last minute request. That’s pretty much the description of an ace employee.

Here it comes, Burke thought. But?

Tres shook his head. No buts. If you want the job, it’s yours. I just wasn’t sure you wanted to stay. You don’t seem … happy for lack of a better term.

Burke frowned. "Happy? Have I insulted someone or taken a job from someone else?

Again Tres shook his head.

No. To do that you would have to interact with someone. Unless they directly ask you something you stay in the background. I understand it’s been tough reintegrating after the service. I’m just worried you’re not interested in staying. The business is growing and we really need qualified people like you. However, we also need to know you plan to stay for a while.

I have nowhere else to be, Burke said. I like the work. My only issue is finding a place to live. I’ve been waiting until I knew if the job would be permanent. I didn’t want to rent something and then have no way to pay for it.

A frown pulled the man’s eyebrows in. Burke couldn’t remember ever seeing him frown before.

If you don’t have an apartment, where have you been living for the past month?

After interviewing and receiving the job, Burke had gone straight to the post office and rented a post office box. Then he’d gone to the bank and opened an account so his check could be deposited. Doing things that way he knew he wouldn’t have to worry about changing addresses for a while if the job hadn’t worked out.

A motel on the edge of Braedon.

He could tell Tres was going through a list of possible motels before his eyes grew wide. The Broken Inn?

Burke nodded though he didn’t see a problem.

Well, we need to change that immediately.

I’m fine there until I can find a place. It’s a little quieter than being downtown or even in Braedon’s Edge, Burke told him as a shiver at the thought shook him. As I said, I just wanted to be certain I had a job before taking the time to look.

Well, you’ve got a job. I’d be glad to help you look for a place. I own a building, but don’t have an empty unit right now. Let me check with some realtor friends of mine, he said standing and offering his hand across the desk. Let me officially welcome you to Master Security, Burke.

Thank you, sir.

It’s Tres, he corrected him. Other than the fact that my brothers and I sign paychecks, we prefer to keep it on an even keel around here. It’s more like a big family than a business.

Burke nodded, but didn’t respond. He’d already let one family down. He didn’t need another one to worry about.

Now that we’re done with that, I have to go assess daytime security on a client’s building.

The office was quieter now as several people had left while he spoke with Tres. Following Tres out of his office, Burke saw Chance Dugan looking at a bulletin board. He didn’t look pleased when he turned around.

I thought you all knew everyone around here. You’re telling me there’s no one who wants to rent the farm? he asked no one in particular.

Farm? Burke’s ears perked up. Although he’d never wanted to stay on his family’s farm before going to college, he would have preferred it after his stint in the Army. Farms were usually outside city limits and quiet.

You want to rent your farm? he heard himself ask before his brain really kicked in. If Chance’s eyes had been heat-seeking missiles they couldn’t have found him faster.

Its my mother’s farm, but yes. Interested? Do you know anything about farming?

I grew up on a dairy farm.

Really?