Free Beyond the Call of Duty by Wendy Stone Page B

and more carefree. He wished he’d known her then, before the stress from her job had gotten to her.
    Jack walked into the living room and sat down across from him just as they were giving a list of all the good works Lexi had done in her life. They gave out the time for her funeral and the location.
    Gabe looked at Jack. “Is this another ploy to find out who is after her?”
    Jack nodded. “He hasn’t found what he wants yet, and he’ll keep looking for it unless we can stop him first. I know Lexi’s upset about the things they took, but she will realize one day that’s all they were; just things. Her life is so much more important than a keepsake. It will just take time. How are you holding up?”
    “Green pastures,” he said. “Did anyone find out if Teri Milner was okay? She was Tony’s mistress and a pretty tough girl.”
    “Teri Milner? I haven’t heard anything about her.” Jack pulled out a cell phone and dialed in a number. When it was answered, he didn’t identify himself, just asked the question. “Do we have a twenty on a Teri Milner? She could be tied to the Traeger case.” He listened intently for a moment. “Are you sure?”
    “No, I’m not doubting you. I just need to know you are sure about this.”
    Gabe’s eyes widened as he watched Jack. His heart was thundering in his chest, and he could feel the sweat starting to bead across his forehead. When Jack hung up the phone, he didn’t say anything for a moment.
    “What’s your relationship with this Teri Milner?”
    “She’s a friend, Jack. I used to get calls from her when Tony couldn’t call me directly because his family was around. Teri was...is a good person.”
    “Teri Milner was the person who set Tony Blandon and his entire family up to be killed, Gabe. She sent out the call that let them know the family was in the house. You were just a bit of a bonus.”
    Gabe sat forward, dropping his head into his hands. “No,” he growled. “She wasn’t like that. She loved Tony, and she was one of my best friends. She wouldn’t set us all up to die...she just wouldn’t!” He got up and began pacing, one arm wrapped against his ribs.
    He was working the problem over in his head. He could feel the tension in his shoulders and the anger in his step. He barely looked up when Lexi came into the room.
    “What’s wrong?” she asked, looking from Jack to Gabe.
    Gabe turned at the sound of her voice and pulled her into his arms. He buried his face into her neck and let his tears fall against her skin. She stroked his back slowly, still looking at Jack. “What’s wrong, Jack?”
    “Teri Milner,” Jack said, only to hear Gabe roar in anguish. He watched as Lexi rocked the big man as if he were a hurt child. “She set up the Blandons and Gabe to be killed. She also managed to get herself a swanky new house and a whole passel of servants. The girl’s not wanting for anything right now.”
    “Are you sure, Jack? Absolutely sure?”
    “I’m as sure as I can be, Lexi. She’s a tall, leggy brunette with just a touch of a hick accent. She’s seeing Caleb Traeger now. There’s been talk of weddings.” He got up and put his hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, man.”
    Gabe nodded, but didn’t let go of Lexi. Instead, he stayed in her arms where the whole world seemed to disappear and anything bad that happened didn’t happen to them. He closed his eyes and ran his hands over her back.
    “Gabe?” she whispered softly. “Are you all right?”
    * * * *
    He lifted his head, and she could see the effect his tears had taken on him. “As long as you hold me, nothing will ever hurt me.”
    She smoothed the hair out of his face and kissed each eye before she led him back to the couch, sitting and letting him pull her into his arms again. She looked at the television set, getting a glimpse of her own picture and hearing the announcer speak of her death and of all those broken hearts she left behind. It was strange to hear about