Read Online Master of Fire by Angela Knight - Free Book Online Page B

training device used for today’s exercise. Both the blasting cap and the sticks of dynamite had been dummies.
    Logan grinned. “I only use my powers for good.”
    “That’s not what Gladys Miller said.”
    “Bite me, Davis.”
    “You ain’t my type. Though Miller’d probably do it if you asked her nice.”
    “Miller’s got a crush on our boy,” Sam explained to Giada.
    “Gladys Miller?” Giada blinked. “The old woman in Evidence with the personality of a rabid weasel?”
    Sam laughed. “I see you’re already a member of the Miller fan club.”
    “I’m thinking of dumping a bucket of water on her to see if she’ll melt.”
    Logan grinned. “You’re just holding a grudge because she keeps trying to steal your ruby slippers.”
    “Speaking of movie references”—Giada lifted her chin in the direction of the robot—“how did y’all get your hands on the Terminator?”
    Lieutenant Tom Billings spoke up as he strode along beside them, straight-backed as the marine he’d been, elegant in a pin-striped blue shirt and tailored gray slacks. His dark, smooth head gleamed in the hot afternoon sunlight. “Bought it with a Homeland Security grant last year.” He slapped Logan on the shoulder. “Man’s got a talent for sweet-talking the feds.”
    At least I’m not the only one who fi nds him hard to resist , Giada thought.
    She helped the squad gather up the remains of the phony bomb. After watching Taylor drive the robot back up the ramp into the truck, she joined Logan in the cab.
    Back at the sheriff’s office, Giada slid out of the truck as the other members of the squad pulled in.
    Taylor got out of her car as the bomb squad’s fifth member trotted up with a well-gnawed red rubber ball.
    The big Lab sat back on her cinnamon-furred haunches and grinned a hopeful doggy grin. “Hey, there, Jenny.” Sam bent and picked up the ball, then sent the toy sailing across the parking lot. Jenny barked happily, whirled, and raced after it.
    “Jenny, where’d you go?” A skinny twelve-year-old boy raced around the corner, only to skid to a stop as Jenny trotted over. She dropped the ball and panted at him. The kid scooped up the toy and flung it across the parking lot. The dog barked, whirled, and galloped in pursuit, tongue lolling in joy.
    “Andy, dammit!” A young girl ran around the same corner. Spotting Logan, she stopped and proceeded at a more dignified pace. She was a pretty teen, no older than sixteen or so, with big brown eyes and long, dark hair she must have worked over with a curling iron for at least an hour. “Hi, Logan.” The narrow-eyed look she sent Giada was far from friendly.
    “Hi, Heather.” He gave the girl a smile before turning to Giada. “Giada, this is Heather Jones, the sheriff’s grand-daughter. The hooligan chasing Jenny over there is her brother, Andy. Heather, this is Dr. Giada Shepherd. She’s a forensic chemist from Tayanita doing some training with me this month.”
    “Nice to meet you, Heather.” Giada held out a hand.
    The girl shook it with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. “Hi.”
    Looks like Logan’s made another conquest , Giada thought dryly. And I’d bet money he hasn’t got a clue.
    Taking pity on the girl’s obvious desire to talk to her crush, Giada wandered over to Samantha Taylor, the dog handler. “Cute dog.”
    “Thanks.” She accepted the drool-covered ball from Jenny and gave it another sailing toss.
    Giada eyed the Lab’s blue collar as she trotted away. It read, “Accelerant and Explosive.” “What’s with the collar?”
    “Refers to the substances she’s trained to detect. I use her for arson scenes and bomb searches.”
    “She’s a K-9?” Now a little worried, Giada turned to watch Andy wrestle with the dog, giggling as Jenny licked his face.
    As if reading her mind, Taylor shook her head. “She’s not patrol-trained. I wouldn’t let her play with the kids if she were.” Patrol dogs sometimes bit people they didn’t know