Tularosa: A Kevin Kerney Novel (Kevin Kerney Novels) by Michael McGarrity

had gone very well. Curry's fine spirits weren't dampened by the prospect of his regularly scheduled monthly briefing with the deputy post commander, at which Curry presented updated crime statistics. Curry's report was tolerated solely because the commanding general had decided to fight crime on the base and had made his second-in-command, who disliked the assignment, responsible for the initiative. It made for an uncomfortable half hour. No matter-only a few months away from retirement, Curry would muster out as a lieutenant colonel. Not bad for a man who came up through the enlisted ranks. As a survivor of the reduction-in-force purge, he was gratified to have made it to full retirement.
    He heard Sara Brannon call out to him. He put his briefcase on the hood of his staff car and waited as she jogged toward him. Curry felt somewhat fatherly toward Sara. A reliable officer, she kept him fully informed, a characteristic he valued highly, and her criminal investigation unit produced the best rate of cleared cases among comparable commands, which was part of the reason he would wear the silver oak leaves of a lieutenant colonel at his retirement ceremony.
    Aside from all that, Sara bubbled with high spirits, boundless energy, and a well-founded confidence in her abilities that added to her attractiveness. He was delighted to see her in civvies.
    "Day off?" he asked, in mock disbelief, when she reached him.
    Curry wondered if Sara had finally hooked up with one of the many eligible bachelors who were constantly trying to corral her.
    "Not really," Sara replied. "I'm taking over the Yazzi investigation. I'll be away from the base most of the day." Curry checked his wristwatch.
    "Fill me in later."
    "My report is on your desk."
    "Good enough. Can you handle the extra load?" he asked.
    "I think so," Sara responded.
    "Has Jim Meehan talked to you about the case?" Curry laughed.
    "Captain Charisma? No, he hasn't. Is he giving you trouble?" Sara hesitated.
     
    "No, just acting like himself. I wanted you to know I'm sending an investigator undercover into Mexico to see what he can dig up on the Yardman case."
    "I thought that case was stalled. Have you caught a lead?"
    "More like a slim possibility." Curry raised his eyebrows.
    "Is it worth the effort?"
    "I'll shut it down if nothing materializes." He nodded in agreement and picked up his briefcase.
    "I'm off to see our crime prevention czar."
    "Have a good time, Major," Sara replied, her green eyes sparkling with humor, knowing how much Curry loathed the tedious meeting. Curry grimaced.
    "Next month I'll send you in my place."
    "You wouldn't," Sara protested.
    "Watch me," Curry promised.
    Michael McGarrity
    Tularosa – Michael McGarrity *** Kevin Kerney's internal clock brought him out of a sound sleep at five. A touch of pink was in the clear eastern sky, but the mountains would hold dawn back long enough for him to run without making a spectacle of himself with his awkward gait. An unmarked surveillance car was parked across the street. The man behind the wheel smirked as he ran past. The hell with him, Kerney thought. He jogged one mile down the gravel road to the water tower and a mile back. He returned to the BOQ as the morning orderly was coming on duty. By the time he showered and dressed, the post canteen was open for business. He ate a light meal and watched the customers drinking their morning coffee before heading off to work.
    He trailed behind a group of office workers, entered the headquarters building, and found his way to the public information office. The public information officer, a plain-looking female first lieutenant with a pinched face and mousy brown hair, was cooperative.
    Kerney learned that the only visitors allowed up range during the time of Sammy's disappearance were a group of treasure hunters digging for lost gold at Victorio Peak and members of the Audubon Society conducting a semiannual bird survey west of Three Rivers. Neither place was anywhere