Conduct Unbecoming by Dellani Oakes

 

Welcome to Florida where there are sandy beaches, balmy breezes—and dead bodies on the beach. Unfortunately, the police suspect Teague's friend, and former battle buddy, of the killing. Teague knows Nadeya is innocent, but proving it won't be easy. She's disappeared and the last anyone heard from her, she was looking for this man in connection with her fiancé's murder.

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Excerpt from Conduct Unbecoming

His cellphone rang. Groaning, Teague reached for it. He knew who it was before he answered. He had a special ringtone for that particular caller—Ming's Theme from Flash Gordon. Trouble was, he knew she'd call back until he picked up. Better to get it over with.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Don't you even say hello?"

"Not when it's you. What do you need?" He flopped on his back, excitement replaced by anger.

"This is important, Sergeant."

"I gave that rank back, Ma'am."

"Don't be obtuse, Sergeant McMurtry. I need your help."

"I'm a civilian now, Captain. If you'll excuse me, I'm in the middle of something." He moved to hang up.

"Teague, wait! Please." Her voice broke.

His hand hovered over the off button. Sighing, he put the phone back to his ear. "I can't do this again, Aileen. Last time we talked wasn't pretty."

"Last time we talked, you walked out on me. This isn't about me. It's about Nadeya." Her best friend.

Teague pulled the blanket over his naked body, holding the phone tightly in his left hand. Vivica lay down on her side, leaning on her elbow. She pulled the blankets to her chin, waiting. Teague rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.

"What's wrong?"

"You're the only person I can trust with this, Teague. She's gone missing."

"Aileen, that's what the police are for."

"No! No. The police won't do anything. They said she's an adult and she can do what she wants. But she was acting crazy the last time I talked to her. I'm worried." Her voice caught in her throat and she burst into tears.

Teague closed his eyes, knowing he was going to regret his next words. "What do you need from me, Aileen?"

"I need you to find her. Bring her home."

"What makes you think I can find her. Wouldn't your local police be better equipped?"

"But she's not up here! She's in Florida to find the men—the ones—"

"The ones she says she saw. . . ."

"Yes." She sobbed. "She was in therapy, making good progress. She was happy for the first time in years. Why would she leave like this?"

"Something triggered it. Any idea what?"

"No. None. I can't get much from her shrink. I'm not her contact person. I want you to talk to her."

"Why? If she won't talk to you. . . ."

"Because, she'll talk to you. It's Isobel," she blurted.

"Just because I slept with the woman a few years ago doesn't mean she'll talk to me about Nadeya now, Aileen. If anything, she's gonna be less inclined to talk to me."

"Nadeya put you down as her emergency contact. I told her to use me, but she refused. Isobel will talk to you—for that reason, if nothing else."

"I'm gonna regret this," Teague said. "I know that before I start. How the hell am I gonna track down Nadeya or Isobel? I don't even know where to start."

"That's where I come in." The smugness in her voice was like fingernails on slate. Teague shuddered. "Both Isobel and Nadeya were in Florida as of yesterday. Isobel is working at The Emotional Healing Clinic in Daytona and Nadeya has been seeing her for the past year."

Exhaling slowly, Teague nodded. "Okay. I make no promises, but I'll see what I can find out. Happy now?"

Aileen sobbed again. "I won't be happy until Nadeya is home safely."

"I hate you, Aileen."

"I hate you more."

©Dellani Oakes