Page 38 of Twilight Tactics

She tucked her gloved hands into her pockets. “Can you tell Maya that I met with the staff and filled them in on the attack on the perimeter like she asked me to do? Some of them are going to start doing patrols around the perimeter in groups of two, keeping an eye out for the intruder—and anyone else who’s not supposed to be on the property. I left them working on a schedule that will still allow all the activities for the vets to continue uninterrupted, but at each place someone will be on guard.” She bit her lip. “I’m also thinking about suggesting to David that he bring in some reinforcements.”

“I’ll tell her or you can just come in and wait.”

“Sure.” She stepped inside and they seated themselves at the large round kitchen table.

“As for bringing in reinforcements, I can arrange for that if you like.”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Well, it’s not your job, but sure.”

“It’s my job to keep Ollie safe, so this probably falls into that purview. And just so you know, I talked to the sheriff again this morning because while I may not know exactly what’s going on, I can tell it’s not good.”

“What’d he say?”

“He’s still investigating the preppers.”

She nodded. “He’s a good sheriff.”

“Said the group has been there for years without any serious trouble even though the FBI had looked into them a few times. He also said he’d deal with trouble if it happened.”

“He will. I heard that one of the city men was connected to the mob?”

“I told him. That got his attention.”

“But he probably also said as long as they stay to themselves on their property—and they’re not hurting anyone or doing anything illegal that he can tell—there’s not much he, or anyone else, actually can do.”

“Exactly. And he’s right. He has to be able to prove it.”

“All right, well, I’ll let Ollie know we’ll set up a time for her first lesson when she’s feeling better.”

“It won’t take long.” He sighed. “I need to share something with you. Ollie has Addison’s disease. She probably just overdid it on the court with Piper.”

“Ohhh.” Compassion softened her features. “I see.”

“Yeah.”

Piper stepped into the room. “I tried to tell her to take it easy.”

“It’s not your fault,” Sully said.

“I know, but I wish she’d listen a little better.”

“Did Hannah listen when she was fourteen?”

Piper snorted. “Good point.”

Addison’s disease wasn’t fatal unless untreated, but it could leave someone feeling extremely fatigued, weak, and lightheaded—especially under stress. And Ollie had definitely been under stress.

“Gotta be telling all my secrets, huh, Sully?” Ollie asked from the hallway.

He closed his eyes and said a quick prayer for patience before opening them and turning. Maya stood behind the teen with a grimace on her face.

Ollie looked paler than before, her earlier post-exercise flush replaced with a wan complexion. “Not to everyone,” Sully said, “just people who are going to be in direct contact with you and may need to act accordingly.”

She cut her eyes at Maya. “You mean like waking me up when I’m trying to sleep, insisting on checking my pulse, and asking me a bunch of questions?”

“I apologized for that,” Maya said, sounding distinctly unapologetic.

Ollie rolled her eyes but didn’t fuss at either of them any longer. “I still want to learn,” she said to Elena. “Just maybe start tomorrow?” She slid her gaze to Sully, then Piper. “If we’re still here.”