Page 39 of CJ

“He gave her his cell number?” frowned Aiden.

“His work cell number,” smiled Luke. “Kid knows his shit. All the calls are traced, tracked, and identified because it’s a G.R.I.P.-designed phone. We’ll know where she is and what her number is.”

“I’d like to go back to D.C.,” said CJ.

“That’s fine. You’ll just need to make sure you’re out of sight. If they caught any visuals of you near Jill’s condo, they might remember. Tiger, Jalen, and Tobias will be going with you. He’s going to meet you at the hotel. He’ll be able to lose her if she’s following by crisscrossing on the train system. Get your gear and head up there now.”

“What about me?” asked Jill. “I should be there as well.”

“She’ll recognize you, Jill. We can’t risk that. Either she or one of her sisters met you personally. We can’t allow her to connect the dots. You’ll be a part of the legal team that prosecutes the case. That’s where we need your expertise,” said Cam. He prayed she was buying it and wouldn’t try to leave with the other men.

“Alright. That seems fair. I’ll get with Georgie and the others and see what needs to be done. Can I count on him being back for the wedding?” she smirked.

“You have my word,” laughed Cam. “Besides, I do not want Claudette or Mama Irene on my case.”

“Or my mother,” laughed CJ. “She already thinks Jill is marrying beneath her. Gotta love a mother’s admiration.”

“I think she admires you just fine,” said Jill, kissing him. “She just knows that I’m a lucky girl.”

“I’m the lucky one.” He hugged her as she left and then turned, thanking Cam and the others.

“She would have placed herself in danger if we’d allowed her to go back to D.C.,” said Luke. “This obviously has nothing to do with her, but she’s been seen and identified by those sisters. Let’s see if we can narrow it down to one.”

“What time did he say he’d be here?” asked Jalen.

“He just said he’d meet us here after dark,” said CJ. “I wonder if we should go downstairs?”

He no sooner said the words and there was a light tapping. He opened the door and saw no one. Nothing was left at the door. It was an empty hallway. He closed the door and shrugged, then they heard it again.

“It’s coming from the balcony,” said Tiger, pulling his weapon.

Tobias pulled the drapes back and nearly shot the soldier standing on the other side. He smirked at them, waving, and then pointed to his name on the chest of his jacket.

“Fuck me,” said Tobias, opening the door. “We could have shot you!”

“I was counting on you being as good as they say you are,” smirked Hunt. “Just for formalities sake, I’m Staff Sergeant Leo Hunt, United States Army, working at JAG Corp in the Pentagon.”

“Yeah, yeah,” smirked Jalen. “We’re not much on formalities, Hunt. I’m Jalen. That’s Tiger, Tobias, and CJ. He shook hands with each of the men, nodding.

“What’s with the Batman entrance?” asked CJ.

“I was worried that she might have someone following me. She seemed to know that I was at that bar the other night, and I don’t think that’s coincidence. The lobby is slammed with people, and I have no clue who is who. This seemed the easiest way.”

“We’re on the ninth floor, and it’s fifteen degrees outside,” said Tiger.

“Yeah, that did make it a bit more challenging, but it was fun. I miss my days on the line,” he smiled. “Listen, it’s great to meet all of you. If it weren’t for your team, I’d be doing time in a Japanese jail cell for telling a woman ‘no.’ The lady, Ms. Robicheaux, she was pretty amazing, and Captain Morgan was terrific. When the Colonel sent me the information that you’d sent along, I knew I wanted to help.”

“We’re happy to have the help. Georgie mentioned you might be getting out soon,” said Tiger.

“Yes, sir. Three more months now.”

“No sirs here. I’m Tiger. That’s it.”

“Family name,” he grinned.

“Not exactly,” laughed Tiger. “My full name is Tiger Slater. You’re looking at Jalen Carson, Tobias Redhawk, and CJ Abbott.”

“You’re real,” smiled the young man, nodding.

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