with varying levels of inquiry, concern and even a little distrust. That was only to be expected, he figured. He’d swooped in and denied them the right to visit their fellow officer in the hospital, then had taken over her work schedule and had her reassigned to his top-secret little project. He wasn’t surprised by the way they eyed him, taking his measure as Sarah introduced him around.
He was taking their measure, too, though they probably didn’t realize it. He wanted to meet the people Sarah worked with so that he could observe their reactions to her injury. Their reactions to his presence were just as interesting. He didn’t expect to learn anything troubling, but it was better to take a look just to be sure. He couldn’t leave a stone unturned in this investigation. The stakes were just too high.
Not that he suspected anyone on the local police force of having dealings with the people he was after. Still, it didn’t hurt to gauge their expressions. If, by some odd chance, one of them started acting suspiciously, Xavier could have Sam and the rest of the team do a little digging. So far, though, he wasn’t seeing anything other than a group of people who were genuinely concerned about their coworker and curious about the Green Beret at her side. All in all, that was totally acceptable and understandable.
“One more introduction before we can get to our mystery disc,” Sarah said in a low voice as they approached a big office in back. She knocked perfunctorily before opening the door. A big man with wavy salt-and-pepper hair sat behind a cluttered desk. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up and appeared to be laboring away, pecking at keys on his computer keyboard with a scowl on his face.
“Chief O’Hara, this is Captain Beauvoir.” She made the introductions as the older man rose from behind his desk. He stuck out a hand and Xavier returned the gesture.
“Have a seat,” the police chief invited, gesturing toward two empty chairs as he reseated himself and cleared a space in front of him on the blotter. “It’s good to see you up and around, Sarah.” He gave her a rusty smile. “I was with you at the hospital when the feds arrived. They quarantined everything, and a day later, this guy showed up but didn’t do me the courtesy of an introduction.” The sarcasm in his tone was pointed and not easily missed.
“I’m here to rectify that now, Chief O’Hara.” Xavier did his best to soothe the chief’s very obviously ruffled feathers. “Things have been moving rapidly since Officer Petit woke up.”
“So I gathered, given the roadblocks you requested and all the activity my officers are reporting out on Wheeler Road.”
“Sir, I believe you’ve been briefed on the national security aspects of this incident. I can’t tell you much more than what you’ve heard already, except to say Officer Petit is vital to the ongoing investigation and a credit to your department.”
O’Hara stared him down for a long moment. Finally, the old man nodded and leaned back in his padded leather office chair.
“Special Forces, eh?” The chief nodded toward the row of ribbons pinned to Xavier’s chest with knowing eyes. “I was in Nam—82nd Airborne. So I have a great deal of respect for the uniform, son, but I don’t know you. I’m willing to give you a lot of leeway based on Uncle Sam’s recognition of your skills and honor. Don’t abuse my trust.”
“You have my word, sir.” Xavier read knowledge in the older man’s eyes. He wasn’t surprised to hear that the chief of police was a vet who had seen action abroad. The old guy seemed as tough as they came. No doubt he’d learned those people skills during his time in the service.
O’Hara held Xavier’s gaze for a moment longer, his jaw like iron. He nodded once and turned to Sarah. “Anything you need, Officer Petit, you just call. We’re on the federal dime, so we can afford all kinds of overtime to assist you, if necessary. More than that, you know I’d never leave one of my officers out in the cold. You may be on loan to the feds, but you still work for me. You need anything, you let me know.”
“Will do, sir. Thanks.”
They left the chief of police after only a little more small talk, and headed back to Sarah’s desk. She was a patrol officer, so she shared a workstation. A guy named Officer Riley,