Free Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #1 by Terri Reed, Becky Avella, Dana R. Lynn Page A

danger. A mistake that might cost her her career. And her nephew.
    Ace barked. Startled, Lana watched as Ace turned to stare out the office door, his ears up. The muscles in his sleek body tensed, and his alertness sent a shiver of apprehension racing along Lana’s flesh. What had the dog so spooked?
    â€œWhat is it, boy?” Adam met Lana’s gaze. “Stay here.” Dog and man raced from the room.
    â€œNot likely,” she muttered and ran after them.
    Ace’s barking echoed off the marble floors of the quiet museum. The dog led them to a storage room near the employee lounge. Brad and Mr. Floyd followed close behind.
    As Lana skidded to a stop next to Adam, her gaze landed on a figure dressed all in white with reflective sunglasses hiding his eyes. In his hands, he held a black object. Confusion scrambled her thoughts. A blow-dryer?
    Ace leaped at the intruder just as the man raised whatever he held and aimed at them.
    Lana screamed.

FIVE
    â€œL eave it!” As the words left his mouth, an ultrasonic wave blasted Adam in the face. His brain registered the weapon as pain detonated in his ears.
    Nausea rolled through his stomach. The room rotated for a second, spinning like a carnival ride.
    The intruder escaped through a side door that let out into the alleyway behind the museum.
    Ace lay on his side, panting heavily.
    Adam’s breath caught. He pushed through the agonizing effects of the wave blaster to assess the damage. Lana had fallen to her knees and clutched at her ears. The same for Mr. Floyd and Brad, the security guard.
    Adam dropped to the floor next to Ace. The dog had taken the full brunt of the hit. The thought of losing Ace slid a razor-sharp blade of fear through him. He sent up a fervent prayer for the dog to be unharmed.
    Placing a comforting hand on Ace, Adam used the other to call dispatch on the radio attached to his shoulder. Though he couldn’t hear himself, he knew the radio would pick up his words. “Capitol K-9 Unit two. Officer down at the American Museum. Several injured. Need vet and medics.”
    Adam clicked off, praying dispatch had responded. A hand on his shoulder jerked his gaze to Lana. She knelt beside him. Her lips moved but the throbbing in his ears prevented any discernible sound. He shook his head and pointed to his ear.
    Understanding dawned on her face. She nodded and pointed to her own ear and mouth. “Me, too.”
    An eternity ticked by before help arrived. By then the fuzzy pounding in Adam’s ears had abated. The shrill sound of the sirens was welcome.
    Ace recovered, as well. He sat and shook his head. No doubt the dog’s hearing was ten times fuzzier than Adam’s. But his partner was alive and responsive. Relief rushed through Adam. Lana squeezed his arm.
    â€œThank You, God,” she said.
    Turning to her, Adam said, “I heard that. And yes, thank God.”
    Paramedics crowded into the storage room. The unit’s vet arrived along with DC police. Detective Delvecchio and his team investigated the second break-in while the paramedics checked everyone’s vitals and their ears and determined them fit. Follow-up exams with their regular doctors were suggested, but the medics didn’t feel there would be any lasting effects.
    â€œHe’ll be fine,” the vet told Adam, giving Ace a good rub behind the ear. “He may be a bit disoriented for an hour or so, but he’ll be ready to get back to work by tomorrow.”
    Kind of like himself, Adam thought, trying to shake off the ringing inside his head.
    Once the paramedics left, Mr. Floyd approached. “Why would the thief return?”
    â€œThat’s a good question.” Detective Delvecchio joined them. “Another good question was how the perp got in.”
    Brad ran a hand through his silver hair. “That door was locked and the alarm set.”
    â€œObviously, the guy bypassed the system again,” Mr. Floyd ground out.