Beowulf: Explosives Detection Dog
Read Beowulf: Explosives Detection Dog Online
Authors: Ronie Kendig
Tags: #Romance, #Suspense, #Contemporary
A B
REED
A
PART
S
ERIES
Trinity
Talon
Beowulf
© 2014 by Ronie Kendig
Print ISBN 978-1-61626-639-4
eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-62836-327-2
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-62836-328-9
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture taken from the H
OLY
B
IBLE
, N
EW
I
NTERNATIONAL
V
ERSION
®
. NIV
®
. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
For more information about Ronie Kendig, please access the author’s website at the following Internet address:
www.roniekendig.com
Cover design: Müllerhause Publishing Arts, Inc.,
www.Mullerhaus.net
Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683,
www.barbourbooks.com
Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses
.
Printed in the United States of America.
To the four-legged military heroes who serve on the battlefields of war and the battlefields of therapy, helping save the lives of our military heroes.
Special thanks to Dr. Brian Reid for help with chemicals and explosions. But also thanks to the way you so diligently serve the community through co-op classes and making science fun!
Many thanks to Erynn Newman and Bethany Kaczmarek who read Beo and made sure this dog had the stuff it takes to lunge into the loving arms of readers.
To the many bloggers & reviewers out there who have championed my books, written stellar reviews, and encouraged me and so many other authors: Rel Mollet, Linda Attaway, Deb Ogle Haggerty, Renee Chaw, Lydia Mazzei, Casey Herringshaw, “Rissi,” Michelle Sutton, Julie Johnson, Lori Twichell, Melissa Willis, and so many more.
Thanks to my agent, Steve Laube, who remains steadfast and constant in an ever-changing industry. Thanks, Agent-Man!
Rel Mollet—Where would I be without you, dearest? You keep me encouraged and laughing when, really, I just want to puddle up and cry. You’re one of the truest and most genuine friends I’ve ever had!
Friends who keep me on “this” side of sanity (okay, yes—that’s debatable, but go with me on this): Jim Rubart, Shannon McNear, Kellie Coates Gilbert, Dineen Miller, Robin Miller, Margie Vawter, Kim Woodhouse, and Ian Acheson.
Thanks to the Barbour Fiction & Sales teams, relentless in their efforts to make our books successful: Shalyn Sattler, Annie Tipton, Rebecca Germany, Mary Burns, Elizabeth Shrider, Laura Young, Kelsey McConaha, Linda Hang, and Ashley Schrock.
AAR—After-Action Report
ACUs—Army Combat Uniforms
AHOD—All Hands On Deck
Colt M1911—Semiautomatic pistol
DIA—Defense Intelligence Agency
EDD—Explosives Detection Dog
EOD—Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Glock—A semiautomatic handgun
HUMINT—Human Intelligence
IED—Improvised Explosive Device
ISAF—International Security Assistance Force
M4, M4A1, M16—Military assault rifles
MP—Military Police
MRAP—Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle
MWD—Military War Dog
ODA452—Operational Detachment A (Special Forces A-Team)
RPG—Rocket-Propelled Grenade
SAS—Special Air Service (Foreign Special Operations Team)
SATINT—Satellite Intelligence
Sitrep—Situation report
SOCOM—Special Operations Command
STK—Shoot To Kill
SureFire—A tactical flashlight
TBI—Traumatic Brain Injury
UAV—Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Al-Qiyama—The Day of Judgment and the Resurrection
“Specialized Search Dog – Gretchen J538
Prologue
April 9, 2003
Baghdad, Iraq
T
he ground rattled. Dust plumed and pushed aside the curtain, unveiling the specter of war that raged beyond. The bridge … The American Marines had already taken the bridge. The airport.
Boom!
The concussion vibrated through the air and thumped against his chest. Wind gusted back the curtain again. He traced the curtain. She had been so proud of that find in the market. White and filled with tiny holes. He teased her that she could purchase any old cloth and in a few years it would have its own holes. She swatted his shoulder with a playful smile.
A guttural scream choked the air. Pulled him around.
He stared at the striped curtain that hung, separating him from his mother who helped his wife, struggling to usher their firstborn into the world.
Another shriek spun him back to the door. To the east, to Mecca.
Please, Allah … protect her. I will live in peace. Always. Just …
The familiar
tat-tat-tat
of automatic weapons sounded close. AK-47s. His heart ka-thumped. They were closing in.
Please, Allah!
Pebbles thunked against the ledge, dribbled onto the floor.
Steady and tickling, a vibration wormed through the house. Like some evil dance to an unheard song, the walls jounced rapidly. The bowl of olives and dates rattled across the wood table. He saved them and set them back. She had loved those olives. Her favorite. He brought them home for her last night. Anything to let her know how special she was.