The Shadow of Mudflap (A Foxtrot Team Novel #1) by Christi Snow, M.F. Smith Page B

mildly. Shanae had only lived here three months and was surprised at how stunned she felt. She couldn’t imagine how much the true locals must be reeling.
    Quirk asked the question they were all thinking. “Who did Tech name as interim coach?”
    Daniel took a deep breath. “There wasn’t an interim coach named. They’ve already hired their permanent replacement, TC Davidson.”
    “Mudflap’s brother?” Shanae wondered why this hadn’t occurred to her. Just the other day they’d been talking about the fact that TC wanted a university football program to coach in Texas. Immediately, she wondered about Mudflap’s reaction to today’s developments. Would he be excited to have his big brother as the coach in a town that practically worshipped at the altar of football?
    He gave a sharp nod. “And the Department of Homeland Security believes the threat has become great enough that as of this morning, Lift EMS is the new ambulance and paramedic contractor for the Texas Tech football program so that LiFT will be able to provide national security. Boys and girls, if there is activity in the stadium or training field we are there to provide both security and medical services. Keep your eyes and ears open. Loss of life, especially civilian, is unacceptable.”
    And Mudflap’s brother was right in the heart of it which put Mudflap at risk, too. A rock settled into the pit of her stomach. They had to get this case solved quickly.
     
    Halftime Texting
    Shanae : I have two cookies: one is a snickerdoodle, one is a chocolate chip.
    Mudflap : Okay, that’s just mean when I haven’t eaten lunch yet.
    Shanae : It’s a test. If I offer you one, which one do you take?
    Mudflap : You’re testing me?
    Shanae : Yes, now answer the question.
    Mudflap : I’d take the snickerdoodle.
    Shanae : Good answer, but why?
    Mudflap : I have sisters. I know better than to get between a girl and her chocolate.
    Mudflap : Did I pass?
    Shanae : With flying colors.
    Pause…
    Mudflap : You weren’t just teasing about the cookies, right? I really am hungry.
     
    Mudflap
    Even with all the craziness at his house, Mudflap made it to the fire station with five minutes to spare before his shift started. He still couldn’t believe his brother was the new head coach of the Texas Tech football team. It didn’t appear like the hits were going to stop anytime soon since the captain hollered at him as soon as he cleared the front door.
    When he stepped into the office, he immediately snapped to attention at the sight of the Army colonel standing beside his captain. Old habits didn’t die.
    The man murmured a quiet, “At ease,” and Mudflap’s muscles loosened.
    His captain grinned, “Damn, Davidson, why don’t you snap to like that for me?”
    A chagrined smile spread across his face. “Sorry, Captain. The Army spent a lot of time training that into me. It’s just automatic.”
    Mudflap looked curiously at the colonel waiting patiently to the side of the captain’s desk. All the insignia on his uniform was unfamiliar with the exception of the colonel’s rank.
    The fire captain made the introductions. “This is Colonel Barr.”
    The man stepped forward and reached his hand out to shake Mudflap’s hand.
    The captain continued, “And this is Mudflap Davidson.”
    Mudflap shook his hand and gave a slight nod with his respectful, “Sir.”
    “He needs to talk to you. Come in and sit down and I’ll leave you to it,” the captain instructed, as he strode toward the doorway.
    When the door clicked behind him, Mudflap turned back toward the colonel who had made himself at home at the captain’s desk.
    The colonel opened a file which sat before him on the desk. “Mr. Davidson, our records show you served as a sniper with the Army for eight years, and you were highly decorated before your honorable discharge.”
    Mudflap simply nodded trying to figure out what was going on here.
    “I’ve been sent here by the Department of Defense to recruit