Page 23 of One Final Target

Jodie would have to deal with Mike being here without showing him how off she felt. Mask time.

Before going to the door, she covered her whiteboard and closed her laptop. She squared her shoulders, gritted her teeth, and pulled the door open. Mike’s expression caught her off guard—he looked worried.

“Jodie.”

“I told you last night I was fine.” Jodie fought to keep her voice neutral.

“I know what you said. I thought I’d check up on you after you had some rest,” Mike said before gathering her in a hug. “Can’t an uncle come double-check on his niece after she narrowly misses being shot?”

“You’re overstating,” Jodie said. Still, she returned the hug. Once he let go, she backed away from the door to let him in.

“I don’t think so.” Mike closed the door behind him. He followed her to the kitchen. “I talked to Jonah this morning. He cut his business trip short and he’s on his way back from Vegas.”

“Why? I’m fine. You all need to stop fussing over me.”

“It’s fussing to ask why you went up there by yourself? Jonah said he offered to meet you at the memorial site. You’ve never been what I’d call reckless. Why start now?”

Jodie sat at the kitchen table and Mike sat across from her. Under the table her hands clenched into fists.I hate being treated like a child.

“I must be escorted everywhere? After everyone has decided Hayes is the only suspect and he fled the country? I didn’t realize I was supposed to be afraid of something.”

“You’re twisting my words and my concern. Your mental state is fragile; you’re not making clear decisions.”

“I’m crazy?”

“I didn’t say you’re crazy.” Frustration rippled through his tone, but Jodie did not want to make it any easier for him.

Mike sighed. “Jonah and I also lost a friend; in fact, Gus was like our brother. We get through the pain and loss by being together. You’re doing the opposite. You’re shutting out the people who care about you most.”

She looked away and Mike continued.

“You stopped seeing Dr. Bass. You attend church sporadically, coming after it starts and leaving before it’s over. You only hang out with Tara, and I know that’s just to keep tabs on the investigation.”

“So? Why shouldn’t I keep tabs on the investigation? My team is dead. It was my fau—” She stopped, hating the threatening tears.

“It was not your fault!”

She stood and grabbed a glass, filling it with water at the sink. She drank half of it and turned to see Mike watching her.

“I don’t want to go through this again. Please, Mike. I don’t have the energy. I’m fine. Thanks to Gresham I’m fine.”

“Thank God for Sam Gresham.” Mike stood and put his hands on her shoulders. “Jodie, I’m your uncle. I raised you from eight years old. I consider you my daughter.”

“I know.” She put the glass down and crossed her arms. “Sometimes you smother me.”

He dropped his hands. “Fair enough. Please, won’t you go talk to Dr. Bass again or at least attend an entire church service, maybe talk to the pastor?”

She sighed. “I’ll call Dr. Bass tomorrow. Fair enough?”

“Yes,” Mike said. “If you’ll do it.”

Jodie gave a nod and swallowed, praying she could hold it together while she told him about Jukebox. “I found out something today, something about Jukebox.”

“What?” Mike stared.

She had his full attention. She told him about the encounter with Finn, glad her voice didn’t falter.

“You’re kidding,” Mike said, hands on hips, frown on his face.

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