Color Blind (Team Red) (5 page)

To distract myself as I calmed my heartbeat, I concentrated on the patch of snow, mounded against a large rock that made up an edge to the pond. I was seeing through Red’s yellow-blue color spectrum, and it looked like the focus was slightly off. It was my belief that dogs had sharper eyesight than people, but I needed to ask David to look up what dogs see so I could be sure. My heart rate was finally steady, and I was able to breathe without gasping.

“This is so awesome, Red.” I forced a smile. The scenery changed as he looked around, and I got a little dizzy when he looked up suddenly. It took a few seconds to orient myself, but I soon realized Red had zeroed in on a drone hovering above his head.

“Can you see it?”
Red asked, holding both the mind-speak and visual links.

“Yes, Red. I can. They are so small, I don’t know how you could possibly catch one when they are buzzing around the grounds,” I laughed, with giddy joy that I could share this new gift with him.

The connection slammed closed as I heard Ken’s voice break into our concentration. “Hey, Teresa! Looks like the meeting is breaking up.”

“Thanks, Ken,” I called across the lawn. “We’ll be right there.”

Red came to my side and rubbed his body against my thigh, doing that shepherd thing of steering me in the direction he wanted me to go.
“Sending you images and talking at the same time gives me a headache,”
Red told me.
“But, I bet if I practice, we can get to a point I can send you the pictures and talk to you easily wherever we are.”

“This is so cool, Red. We’ll have to tell Bas and David later tonight when the Colonel and his team has left.” Team Red will need to talk about this amongst ourselves before we tell anyone else about this. I was already considering the ramifications of not only the telepathic link, but a visual one as well. It was pretty scary what we could do as a team because people would think nothing of seeing a dog in places a person would not be allowed.

“We will tell Ken and Janey though, right?”
Red asked.

“Yes, of course,” I confirmed. “They are our family. We may also consider letting Gil know, as long as he understands that this new skill set is not to be shared with the police. It will depend on what David and Bas have to say about it.”

“Step up,”
Red instructed as we reached the deck leading up to the back doors.
“David is waiting for you.”

“Do me a favor, Red. Don’t show me David until I ask you to, okay? In fact, only use the mind speak while company is here today.”

“Yeah, sure.”
He sounded puzzled, but in typical dog fashion, he didn’t dwell on my reasons, he just accepted what I said, and dropped the subject.

I wanted my first ‘look’ at David to be when we could share the moment of connection. I wanted it to be special, and intimate. Just us. With sharp-eyed military types in the house, I don’t want to take the chance of reacting to something I see. Better to stick with what we know, until I can discuss it with the guys.

“I’m going to get a drink of water. I’ll be right back,”
Red promised, tearing across the deck like he was chasing rabbits. I had to grin, that dog was just like a toddler; why walk when you can run?

“Hello, Lover,” David greeted me, as I stepped onto the flat surface of the decking.

His arms encircled me, pulling me into the curve of his body for a warm hug. I loved how he simply enjoyed holding me against his frame, his cheek resting against my temple. I felt as if he were trying to absorb me into him. “Osmosis,” I said randomly, with a gentle sigh. “If we stand here like this long enough, do you think that one day I can just become a part of you?”

“Well, I already think you
are
part of me” David drawled, “but, I’m kinda liking the separate vessels thing we have going on.” His nose nuzzled into my neck and I felt the flat of his tongue draw thickly against the cord alongside my throat. “All the better to have my wicked way with you,” he growled, playfully.

“Mmm, when you put it like that, I can definitely see the attraction in having two separate bodies,” I smiled. “And we both know how much I love…”

“You better stop right there,” Bas warned from behind David. “If you say something embarrassing, I WILL torment you mercilessly.”

David’s body shook with a chuckle, “He will, too. Best to continue this conversation later,” he said, kissing me on the tip of my nose before setting me firmly away from the warmth of his body.

“Colonel Spencer and his group are getting the quickie house tour and taking advantage of the bathroom facilities. Ken says lunch will be ready in about fifteen to twenty minutes,” Bas said.

“After lunch, we can come up with some demonstrations for Red to show the Colonel what Team Red is about.” David said, as he placed an arm around my waist, guiding me into the living room.

“Hey Buddy,” David said, addressing Red who pressed against my hip to let me know he was back.

“Awww, man,”
My dog moaned, in ecstasy.
“I LOVE ear scratches.”
I felt Red lean away toward David who was obviously indulging in a little ear-ruffling action.

“I’ll go round up everyone to meet you.” With a quick additional kiss to the tip of my nose (those wear off quickly you know), David left me in Red’s care as he stepped away.

“I’m so glad we kept him, Teresa.”
I swear my dog sighed like a girl with a teen idol crush.

I was surprised when a familiar voice called out my name from the left, “Teresa!” I was engulfed in a smothering hug, and my body went rigid with shock, when a man’s wet mouth pressed to mine in an unwelcome kiss. “Baby, I had no idea you were here. How have you been?”

My muscles tensed to match my increasing rage as I struggled to lever away from the man’s hold on my arms. The stench of cigarette smoke on his clothing, and onion-breath from whatever he had at breakfast, were truly cringe-worthy. “Let me go, Devon,” I hissed through gritted teeth. “I am not your ‘Baby,’ and I certainly don’t want your hands anywhere near me.”

Devon, The Ex, or, as I referred to him, Number Two - and yes, pun intended. My ex-boyfriend of three whole months. I’m not sure exactly who dumped who. Devon and I had two differing opinions on the structure of our relationship. I thought we were exclusive, and only sleeping with each other. When I found out he felt otherwise, I told him I didn’t want to see him anymore.

It was three, maybe four, years since I’d last seen him. I had forgotten he was in the military; I had met him when he was at Fairchild Air force Base (or FAFB) while he was taking some type of training course. I don’t think I’d ever seen him in a uniform during the whole time we dated, which just goes to prove how segmented he kept his life. I don’t think I ever really knew him.

The exhalation of another pungent reminder of his breakfast choices, wafted across my face. I’m pretty sure my nose crinkled up in distaste. I tried to squirm away, but my arms were pinned by the hug he locked me in. “Devon, let me go.” Red, hearing both my words and feeling my frustration, growled a low threat underscoring the fact that this was a final request.

“Jesus,” he said, abruptly releasing me and stumbling away. “What the hell happened to your eye? And what’s with the scars on your face?”

I was a little off balance from being grabbed and lip-locked; I wasn’t sure where I was standing after Devon moved me away from him. I may not have been sure of where David or Bas were, during the time my ex-boyfriend manhandled me, but I definitely knew where Red was. I had never heard that threatening, growl from him before; but, his throat continued to vibrate with warning. I felt his body brush mine, as he shouldered Devon back another step or two away from me.

“No blood on the carpet, Red,” I relayed, deadpan.

“Not even a little bite?”
Red begged, while maintaining an impressive rumble in his throat.
“This asshole startled you when he grabbed you. You belong to David and Bas and me, he’s not part of our pack.”

“We aren’t wolves, Red,” I smiled.

“We are a pack,”
my dog insisted,
“and this man is not one of us. He has no right to touch you.”

I couldn’t argue with that. I hadn’t realized Red considered us a pack, it was an interesting dynamic I would have to discuss with him later. On second thought, how come Bas is included in our pack, but not Janey and Ken? “Red, leave him alone. He’s not a threat.”

I held a hand down to let Red know I wanted him at my side. He obliged me by nudging my palm with a cold nose. With a tired sigh, I addressed my ex. “In a few words, Devon: lightning, exploding tree, blinded.” As far as I was concerned, that was all the info I planned to give him.

“Geez, Baby, I…”

“I believe Teresa already reminded you that her name isn’t, Baby,” David interjected with deceptive calm. He had approached from my right, and slipped around behind me, holding me against the length of his body, his left arm wrapped casually around my waist. “Red, good job. Go get yourself a treat.”

“Woo hoo!”
Was followed by the scramble of claws heading for the pantry.

“Devon, huh?” David pressed a soft kiss to my temple and deftly turned my body toward the man in question. I loved that David didn’t try to shield me behind him, in some macho display of ownership or protection. My lover knew me well enough to understand that I didn’t need protection, but I would always welcome his support. There was a smile in his voice when he asked, “So, this is Number Two?”

I couldn’t help it, I busted up laughing. He was very familiar with my history regarding Devon, and in on the subsequent joke due to the fact he was the second of the three men I’d slept with.

“Yep!” I chirped, with a huge smile on my face.

“Number Two, huh?” Bas added, from a space I assumed was directly behind Devon, there was laughter in his tone also. “You’re lucky the dog didn’t rip your balls off, Shithead.” (Yeah, Bas was in on the joke too.)

“I told him no blood on the carpets,” I offered helpfully.

“Babe, err… Teresa, if the dog’s dangerous, why is he running free?”

The Colonel decided to jump into the conversation, “I doubt the dog would have gone on the offensive, Lt. Carpenter, if you had kept your hands to yourself.”

“Teresa and I have a history together,” Devon explained.

I huffed, rolling my eyes scornfully. “Devon, we had, maybe, a dozen dates over a three month period. That doesn’t qualify as a history.”

“I’m not sure that even qualifies as a footnote,” David clarified.

“Well, I was just so surprised and happy to see you, I forgot myself,” Devon claimed, defensively.

“Liar, liar, pants on fire,”
Red sing-songed in my head as he approached my side
. “I can smell the lie. I also saw him watch you when David kissed you outside.”

I hand-signed Red’s comments quickly, assuming Bas would see me.

“Our lie detector, begs to differ,” Bas said. “Apparently, you noticed David with Teresa when they were on the deck earlier. Not cool, man.”

“Lt. Carpenter, I believe you owe David and Ms. March an apology.” The colonel’s tone was sharp.

There was a lengthy pause, in which I could practically feel Devon vibrating with his unvoiced objection. Reluctantly, he finally offered a tepid, “I’m sorry to both of you for my lapse of courtesy. Please accept my apologies.”

The words were pretty, but it was lacking in sincerity. Red, apparently arriving at the same assessment, issued another impressive throaty growl. “We accept,” David answered for all three of us. “Lunch is about ready, let’s finish up with introductions so we can dig into Ken’s BBQ chicken. The man is a god with barbecue.”

“I heard that!” Ken called out, from the vicinity of the kitchen.

Steering me off to the side toward the living room area, David said, “Colonel, this is Teresa March. Teresa, Colonel Spencer. As I mentioned to you earlier, the colonel oversees the projects Bas and I are working on.” In my ear, he whispered, “Be right back.”

I extended my hand in greeting. The colonel wrapped my fingers in a two-handed grasp, bending forward to whisper, “Shall I send him out to the car to wait until we’re done here? He’s my liaison for Fairchild and I’ve been looking for an excuse all day to get rid of him,” he confided.

It was tempting, but I said, “I am perfectly capable of handling Devon, sir; but I appreciate the offer.”

“I’ll help!”
Red’s evil chuckle was somewhat disturbing.
“I bet I can make him squeal like a baby.”

“Red, I find it disturbing when you think stuff like that. Just leave him alone,” I commented, tilting my head down to speak towards him. “For now, anyway.”

Red relayed a chuckle, but refrained from commenting. He can be a lot like a toddler; there are times I wish he would be quiet, but when he’s silent, I suspect he’s getting into trouble – or, in this case, thinking about it.

“Your relationship with your dog has definitely caught my interest,” Colonel Spencer said, gently pressing the hand he still held in a loose grip, to bring my attention back to him.

“The Team will be happy to give you a few examples of what we do for the police department. Have David or Bas mentioned anything about our skills?”

“Both of the men have told me you share a special communication. They were vague, but left me with the impression you can talk to each other?” The question at the end suggested to me that the colonel was trying to be open minded; in fact, he sounded more intrigued, than dismissive.

“We will demonstrate for you later, but for now, simply stretch your imagination enough to believe I can hear his thoughts, and that Red has a higher reasoning ability than your normal German shepherd. Just watch his reactions to me and others. Feel free to interact with him. He’s personable and likes most people.”

Colonel Preston released my hand to crouch down to the dog’s level. “Hey, Red, I understand you feel the same way about Lt. Carpenter as I do.”

My dog, obligingly, supplied a low rumbling growl.

“Good boy. That was pretty much my take on him too,” Red’s new friend chortled (I swear, it’s true, it was a chortle). “When I meet officers like Carpenter, I wonder if the recruiters are too focused on quotas. Are you up for a little harassment?”

I heard Red’s tail tap the floor a few times in excitement.
“Teresa, we should keep the colonel. He talks to me and gives chest rubs.”

“He likes the idea,” I translated, just as Red started thumping his foot against the floor in ecstasy. The colonel joined my laughter as Red over-balanced and fell over against my ankle. “Obviously, coordination is not his strong suit,” I teased.

“Don’t go out of your way, Red, but every time you’re close to Lt. Carpenter, try smacking him in the knees with your tail. Nothing hard, just enough he starts to wonder if you’re doing it on purpose.”

“Oh, yeah!  We have to keep this guy.”
Red said, gleefully.

“Red’s on board, sir,” I laughed.

“On board with what?” David asked, rejoining us.

“A little tail-to-the knees payback on Devon,” I explained. “The colonel came up with a test for our boy, you’ll have to watch and wait. It’s subtle. Should be fun if Red does it right.”

David leaned across me, towards the senior officer, “Let me give you an arm up, Sir. I’m used to men falling at her feet, but I thought you were made of stronger stuff than to prostrate yourself before my woman like this.” David’s tone held the teasing warmth of long friendship. “I’m sadly disappointed in you, Sir.”

I could hear an underlying stress to the colonel’s breathing as he was assisted to a standing position. “Thanks, son,” he said softly, as David stepped back to my side. “I swear this getting old really sucks sometimes.”

“Just so you know, Sir, you can always could depend on Red to assist if you want something. Just let him know what you need and he will try to accommodate you. Red’s a trained service dog for Teresa, not to mention he’s highly intuitive.”

“We were doing some work for the police department last week, and one of the observing officers was feeling uncomfortable being on her feet,” I told him. “She had just gotten her cast removed the day before, so Red knew she was having trouble with her first day on the leg. He stopped what he was doing to go into the other room, he nosed back a rolling chair for her to sit on.”

“Gil wasn’t too happy,’ David mused. “They had to strip Red’s booties and rewrap his feet since he had wandered outside the room.”

“Mustn’t contaminate the police evidence,” I laughed.