Game of Fear by Robin Perini Page A

couldn’t be. “A game? Was it Point of Entry ?”
    The major looked startled. “Yes. You know it?”
    Deb met Gabe’s shocked glance. “Why did you give her that particular game?” she asked.
    “It wasn’t just for her. Some politicians came through on a visit. One of the guests said he was associated with the game maker and asked if he could donate the latest version to the Academy Morale Fund materials. He’d donated to the other academies, too. I played a few levels, and it seemed like something the cadets would go for in their free time. The math was challenging, so the copies went in with the rest of the approved games.”
    “Holy sh—” Deb bit her tongue. “What was the name of this politician?”
    Rappaport’s brow furrowed. “Sorry, it’s been a while. We get a lot of VIPs around here, but I can check.”
    “Please do,” Gabe said, handing over a card with his contact information on it. “The information is critical to our investigation. It’s important we get his name.”
    The major studied them both. Deb recognized the suspicion—and the skepticism. “This doesn’t make sense. What’s the real story? What could Ashley going AWOL possibly have to do with a video game?”
    Deb opened her mouth to respond, but Gabe’s face went cold and his jaw tightened. He stood. “She’s not AWOL. She’s missing, Major, and she could be in big trouble. We’re certain of it. I suggest you pull the game off the shelves until we know what’s going on.”

    Gabe pulled up to a large brownstone resembling the one the Unsinkable Molly Brown had inhabited in Denver. Big, brown, and expensive as hell. “This is it. One of Ashley’s friends has big bucks.”
    Deb stared at the home and gripped her pants in her fists. “I should have been to this house before now, met his parents. Why haven’t I? She spent a lot of time here.”
    “She’s in college,” Gabe said. “She has her own life, despite her age. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
    “She’s sixteen,” Deb said, looking over at him, her gaze haunted. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember that.”
    “You know who they are, though. They’re high school kids? You met them?”
    She bit her lip, distracted, then nodded. He could tell she was beating herself up.
    “They used to be classmates before Ashley’s early graduation,” she said.
    “She went to school in Colorado Springs?” Gabe looked over in surprise.
    “My father was stationed nearby. When he was reassigned overseas, I left the service to act as her guardian. Denver was the closest place that I found a job. She lived . . . lives . . .” Deb faltered. “She’s at the dorm during school, and has to stay on campus Monday through Friday, so it worked out. Or I thought it did.”
    Gabe had to stop this spiral. “Well, we might as well head in. Milo and Otis—”
    Deb’s lips quirked at the corners. “Just Mylo, actually. Milo and Otis is a dog and cat movie. Knowing that information does not go with your tough-guy image, Montgomery.”
    “What can I say? I’m Luke’s daughter’s favorite uncle. I’ll watch anything with Joy, if it makes her happy.”
    Despite his smile, Gabe studied her closely. She’d backed off thinking of the horrors that could be happening to Ashley. She might have to deal with any one of those. But not yet.
    “You’re a surprising man.”
    He gave her a quick wink. “Hey, don’t let my he-man sex appeal fool you. I can play Barbies and tea party with the best of them.”
    Deb’s smile made him feel warm inside. It softened her features. He wished he hadn’t waited so long to let her know he cared.
    To Gabe’s surprise, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, letting her lips linger for just a moment. “I know you meant to distract me,” she said quietly. “Thank you.”
    She exited the vehicle and Gabe followed. Well, okay then. He could mix a little beta with his alpha personality, if it garnered this kind of reaction. Good to