the coffee table between them and took a swig of beer. “I knew that was coming. I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours.”
It was only fair, Grace knew. But things in this situation weren’t exactly even—or fair.
“I’m not sure what your circumstances are, Simon. But I know mine are different from yours.” She stared into his curious but suddenly remote golden-brown eyes. “I’m not permitted to tell you anything, but—”
“That’s convenient.” He shook his head. “Then I guess I’m not ‘permitted’ either.” He paused, then met her gaze directly. “But I’ll bet your position is somehow related to your being a military officer, right?”
She sucked in her bottom lip. She had always known how smart Simon was. His perception was no less acute now than when they were in undergraduate school. Maybe even more so.
“Stalemate,” she whispered, knowing he heard the word loudly. “For now. But—” She looked at her watch. It was 1930 hours here. That made it 2230 at Ft. Lukman. Late, yes, but she would be surprised if Drew Connell was asleep. “Let me make a phone call, and then I’ll know if I can say any more.”
When he didn’t object, she went into her bedroom where she kept the Alpha Force satellite phone. Tilly followed, and Grace shut the door behind them.
She turned on the aging television across from the queen-size bed where she slept. Simon would probably be able to hear her anyway, so she would have to be careful about what she said—unless she obtained the permission she sought.
The major answered immediately. “Everything okay, Grace?”
“Only if you consider my…abilities being found out by another shapeshifter who’s not…with us to be okay.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I wish.” Not exactly true. But there would be time enough later to explain the complicated circumstances of Grace’s non-relationship with Simon. “He’s another doctor here at Charles Carder. He can shift outside the full moon, but he won’t tell me how unless I tell him. So…do I have your permission, sir?”
“Limited,” he snapped. “You obviously can’t tell about the actual covert nature of Alpha Force. Just tell him you have access to a special formula that allows you to shift more or less at will—then be sure to learn the source of his ability. Meantime…one of us in authority needs to talk to this guy, but as you can imagine I’m a little preoccupied. I’ll speak with Patrick, get him on his way there as soon as possible—maybe tomorrow. I was sending him anyway to discuss our plans for setting up the biohazards thieves. You and he together can have another conversation with this guy. Learn more. Maybe even recruit him into Alpha Force. In fact…you can’t tell him what we’re about, but why don’t you sound him out about joining the military to open all sorts of new vistas to him regarding shapeshifting—but keep it general, no details. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.” That would only convince Simon all the more that his surmises about her military affiliation were true. She would have to be careful about how she phrased things. “I’ll look forward to seeing Patrick.”
She hung up and turned off the TV. Tilly and she returned to her living room. Simon had made himself at home and had a second beer bottle in front of him. He patted Tilly’s head as they got near him. He looked so domestic. Part of Grace’s life. Someone she wanted to get close to. Touch. Be touched by…
But that couldn’t happen.
“So,” he said to Grace, “did your commanding officer give you permission to talk to me?”
Grace closed her eyes and shook her head slowly. It would make life a lot simpler if Simon were dense or stupid or unaware. But one of the things she loved about him was his intellect and—
Hell. Had she just suggested to herself that she loved him? No way. Bad idea. Years ago, there’d been that chance. Not now.
“Apparently you’ve made some good guesses, but I can’t tell you much, at least not yet. Just know that I have access to a special tonic that allows me in some circumstances to shift without a full moon. There are things in the works that may allow me to be more forthcoming, but that’s all I can say at the moment…although I think it’s okay to say that, if you’d be interested in joining the military, there would be a lot of benefit to you.”
“Join the military? You’ve got to be kidding.” His gaze was suddenly cold and incredulous.
“No,” she