Free Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Protecting Love (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Saints Protection & Investigations Book 7) by Maryann Jordan Page B

I did read your report.” Leaning in conspiratorially, she said, “But we’re checking to see who might have taken the equipment…you know…” she jerked her head toward Patrick.
    Chris’ expression changed as he said, “You think it was someone from inside the base?”
    Patrick wanted to punch something but wisely kept his mouth shut. Evie gave a noncommittal shrug and it seemed to work. Chris’ expression relaxed and his demeanor became less blustery.
    “Maybe we could sit on your porch in the shade and talk for a few minutes,” she suggested sweetly.
    Chris glanced back at his house and then nodded. “Yeah, come on up.” Once there, he leaned his head inside and yelled, “Babe, got some business to take care of out here. Can you bring some coffee?”
    The three sat on the porch chairs and from outward appearances looked to be a gathering of friends. A few minutes later, a small, dark-haired woman appeared with three mugs of coffee, her eyes moving curiously between Patrick and Evie. Two children popped outside also, staring at the visitors. Mrs. Tompkins shooed the children inside and then disappeared back into the house also, after resting her hand momentarily on her husband’s shoulder.
    Evie noted the gesture and prayed that Chris had not been involved in the theft, realizing the ramifications would be devastating to the family.
    “Whatcha need to know?” Chris asked.
    “Basically, could you just walk us through the whole process, from the time you were contacted to the time you finished the delivery?” Patrick requested.
    Taking a long sip of his coffee, Chris nodded slowly but kept his eyes down on his mug. “I’m just a substitute truck driver for GMS. I normally drive for the Driveways Sealant Company, here in town. They usually keep me pretty busy, but occasionally on a day off from them, I can pick up extra work as a sub. GMS isn’t the only company I sub for, but I’ve been used by them more ’an once.”
    Taking another long sip, he continued. “Got a call one morning asking if I’d be able to do a large load run that day. ’Course I said yeah, ’cause the money’s always good with GMS.”
    “Who called you?” Patrick asked.
    “Same as always,” Chris replied. “Man named Ed. He’s the plant manager or somethin’ like that.”
    Ed? Evie almost choked on her coffee but knew that Ed would have been the one to call. Her stomach twisted again, the coffee now tasting bitter. Why did it not dawn on me that I’d possibly be hearing things I’d rather not hear?
    “Okay, go on, please,” Patrick encouraged, his eyes jerking to Evie’s. Offering her a questioning gaze, he nodded when she gave a halfhearted smile.
    Chris leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hand over his face, exuding frustration. Sighing heavily, he finally leveled his gaze toward Patrick and said, “I didn’t do nothin’ wrong. Swear to God, I wish now I’d never answered the fuckin’ phone. Because of the mess, I won’t be gettin’ any more business from GMS and that’s fine by me. It’s less money, but I’m sticking to the Driveway’s business and not messing around with sub work.”
    “What happened, Chris?” Evie asked, her voice soft and encouraging.
    “By the time I got to GMS, the other trucks were already gone. I just signed off on whatever paperwork was put in front of me and that’s not uncommon. I’m not there when the shit…uh, sorry ma’am…when the stuff is loaded into the trucks. I was given the directions but they’d been programmed into the GPS that was in the truck cab. So I just climbed in, and started driving.”
    “What time was this?” Patrick asked.
    “ ’Bout nine-thirty in the morning. The other trucks had long since gone.”
    Patrick knew the other trucks had left GMS at almost eight o’clock and had made their deliveries by nine-thirty. This would have left Chris completely on his own with the delivery.
    “I followed the directions and ended up at some