Page 110 of Jael

“Too slow!” he called to her as he ran a victory lap, shaking his fist in the air.

She laughed and slowed to a stop, propping her hands on her knees so she could catch her breath. She was a fast runner, but she couldn’t match these boys.

Across the field, she saw Danny and Adisa talking to a woman.

“I’m taking a break,” she called to the team and jogged to the sideline.

“Giving up already?” Ekele yelled back.

She waved him off and sidled up next to Danny. “Your boys wiped the floor with me. They’re good.”

Danny put his arm around her. “I told them to go easy on you.”

“They probably did. Hi,” she said to the woman. “I’m Jael.”

The two women shook, and Danny said, “I forgot you two haven’t met formally. Jael, this is Deputy Director Deborah Mills.”

“We don’t know each other,” Deborah said. “But I’m a great admirer of yours. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to interview you, but we had another incident come up that required my immediate attention.”

“That’s okay.”

“You did what the rest of us could not. And I’d like to formally thank you for your service.”

“I would say it was my pleasure, but it was very unpleasant.”

“Still.” Deborah looked between the two. “Also, I hear congratulations are in order.”

“Who told you that?” Danny asked. Not many people knew about the engagement yet.

“Come on, Danny. You know I’ve got eyes everywhere. When’s the wedding?”

“Next week,” Jael said. When Deborah balked, she laughed. “We’ve had enough time in life to know what we want, so there’s no point waiting. And I’d like to say thank you to you as well because, with your help, Danny has a best man.” She smiled at Adisa.

“My pleasure,” Deborah said, then slapped her hands together. “So, when are you going to show me through the building I spent a lot of money on?”

“Youspent money on?” Danny said.

“You know what I mean.”

“I could have had it done at half the cost.”

Deborah shrugged as she looked out to the team on the field running drills. “The government’s always looking for new ways to waste money. May as well waste it on a worthy cause. You don’t need any help with your foundation, Jael? I’m sure I can find some more cash lying around.”

“No thanks,” Jael said. “You may have money to throw around, but the red tape’s a killer. I’d prefer to keep things privately funded so I can get things done.”

“Good call.”

“We’ll let the boys finish their drills,” Danny said. “Then we’ll go through the building. They won’t be long.”

“Uh, I don’t suppose there’s a ladies’ room anywhere around here?” Deborah said.

“You’re in luck,” Jael said. “In the shed over there.”

“Great. I’ll be back.”

“Adisa,” Danny said. “Why don’t you go round up the boys? I know they’re excited to show Deborah around.”

Adisa nodded and jogged into the field.

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