Page 35 of CJ

“Before he looks back, we see just pedestrians on the street, no one in particular that’s important to us. When he sees her, his head swivels quickly, and we catch three faces that are intriguing to us.” The images were slowed to a painful degree, the grainy shots difficult to see at first.

“Three? Three fucking faces that shouldn’t be there,” said CJ.

“Actually, they were supposed to be there. Those Americans working on shipping contracts? It wasn’t just any shipping contracts, and they weren’t just any Americans. They were contracts for the DOD and UN. They were negotiating shipping channels that could support secure cargo, including items from a DOD favorite.”

“Us,” said Luke.

“Us,” nodded Hiro. “The DOD has been giving some of our technology to nations that they’re supporting from a military or security standpoint. Here’s your three stooges – Fayha, Messina, and Tehren.”

“Jesus,” muttered Eric. “What the hell were they doing there?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to bet that Adam and Tim both knew something was wrong and knew that those men were there. Maybe they were planning to kidnap the Americans and force them to do something with our cargo. When they killed Adam, they probably had to run, considering the crowds that moved in.”

Luke shook his head, standing and pacing the room.

“What the fuck are Zacharov’s daughters doing with these three? Are they all working together?”

“I think we have to figure that out,” said Hex.

“I’ve got it!” said Tanner, running into the room. They all looked at him, brows raised in expectation. Hiro and AJ smiled at him, nodding.

“Got what?” asked Cam with frustration.

“Unbelievable. We got the video off his thermal camera, but his comms device was in there as well. Listen.”

There were scratchy sounds like fabric rustling, then someone whispered.

“She’s here. I just know it.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I just have a feeling. There’s something she wants with these people, but I can’t figure out what. They’re negotiating shipping contracts, for fuck’s sake.”

“Which begs why the fuck are we here?”

“Something is definitely fucked up, Adam. I don’t like this. I don’t like fucking your wife.”

“We both know that you had to, and she’s not really my wife. This was a set-up, and you and I both know it. We have to play this game, Tim.”

The men stared at one another in shock. Both Adam and Tim knew she was doing something illegal.

“Still, she has your name. I don’t want to be the guy that’s fucking his teammate’s wife.”

“If it makes you feel better, I could date Jill.”

“Don’t be an asshole. Jill is an unfortunate casualty. She was handy, and I feel guilty for using her.”

They heard the soft gasp at the door, and everyone turned to see Jill standing with Ajei and Kate. Kate glared at her husband, Ajei giving them all the look that said they wouldn’t be living in peace any time soon.

“An unfortunate casualty,” she whispered. “I guess I always knew that. I mean, he didn’t want to get engaged. I thought it was the natural progression.”

“Jill, we have no idea what it means, honey,” said CJ, standing to go to her. She held up her hands, shaking her head.

“I’m not some frail bird. I understand how things work sometimes. I didn’t love Tim. I know that now. I shouldn’t be angry that he was using me. In truth, I’m somewhat relieved that he and Adam were trying to do something good, not something bad.”

“We’re going to figure all of this out, Jill,” said Eric.

“I know you will, but I’d like to be included. It was part of my life,” she said, staring at them. “Besides, I can help you. You forget that I have some contacts of my own at the Pentagon. I can find out who those Americans were and why Rangers guarded them.”

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