Free Her Brave Protector (Her Protector Alpha Male Military Romance Book 2) by Michaela Strong Page B

investigations, Michael Thomas. His picture and title were outside the door. "Pensacola!" he called to Rory, all grins and enthusiasm. The two embraced quickly, finished with pats on the back. The captain toned it down instantly and extended his hand to Dana. "Hi there. You must be Dana." They shook hands. "Come in to my office."
    Dana looked up to Rory. "Thanks for bringing me here. I appreciate it," she said formally.
    "You're welcome," he replied, seemingly relenting in the presence of his friends. He didn't understand that she didn't need him at the discussion.
    "You're off the hook Pensacola," she said, thinking she was being funny making fun of the name Mike called him. "You can go now." The room became an instant ice box, stiff, pressured. The captain did a double-take as if startled.
    "Mike would you excuse us for moment, please?" Rory asked primly.
    Mike rolled his eyes but conceded. "Sure. I'll be back in five."
    As soon as the door was closed, Dana closed her eyes. She could sense his wrath but didn't want to face it. "Look at me now," he ordered her. She obeyed. He backed her against the door, his face was within kissing distance. "I am here to support you, to take care of this situation, to help you address it properly because I want to be here. I would very much appreciate it if you didn't try to dismiss me again. Are we clear? I will stay through all of it, hear the whole story and then I will take you home. Does that work for you?"
    "Yes. And Rory," Dana replied.
    "Yes."
    "Don't talk to me that way again. I appreciate your stepping up to the plate but I can field my own mistakes."
    "Oh no beautiful," he rebutted, still scolding her with his glare, "I'm fielding them with you for the time being whether you like it or not. But we can discuss treating each other respectfully after we finish this matter. Agreed?"
    Dana couldn't resist jabbing him with a little smart ass. "Whatever you say, Pensacola." She tried to duck under the bridge of his arm he had pinning her to the door but he blocked her. He took her jaw lightly and kissed her thoroughly.
    When they broke he declared, "We will talk later."
    "Yes," Dana consented.
    Rory looked at her quizzically as he opened the door. "Hey Mike?"
    The captain appeared. "You ready now?"
    "Yes Big Dog and I are ready," Dana quipped.
    The captain dissolved. "Oh my gosh, no. You're kidding. Why? Wait, never mind. Don't tell me. I have enough nightmares." He shook his head trying to get a hold of himself. "Okay then. Now, your account. First off, tell me you canceled your cards."
    "Yes," Dana replied.
    "How much was missing?"
    "$20,000."
    "Miss Emery, that's a sizable chunk of change. You had a credit card with that credit limit?"
    "No. It was in my join checking and savings account."
    "Well then that wasn't a credit card transaction, it was a withdrawal. That makes things more complicated." Dana slumped in her chair. Duh. "So when you canceled the bankcard, did you ask about the money? When and where was the money withdrawn? How did they get past your daily limits? Did you check the logs for your online banking?"
    Dana felt too stupid to reply. She definitely felt too stupid to be in Rory's company. "I just had them cancel the card. I didn't tell them my money was missing. I was kind of upset."
    "It's okay. That's what we are here for. I need the names of friends, family, work-related folks who might have access to your account. I am going to send an email to the bank manager now because I have already alerted her that we may be looking into your account. If I don't get a confirmation within the next five minutes, I will break our meeting and call her. So anyone have access to your account?"
    "My boyfried," Dana said dolefully.
    "Boyfriend?" the two men chorused.
    "Ex. Ex-boyfriend. I had the account but I got him an extra bankcard. But that was canceled a long time ago."
    "How long has it been since you spoke to him?"
    "A year. Exactly," Dana replied.
    "And under what