Page 2 of Soldier, Tailor, Spy

“Good thing they paired us up.” Jake sat at the table. “I’m a certified instructor.” He held out his hand. “Let’s try this again. I’m Jake O’Malley.”

“Wyatt Sharpe,” the boy replied, taking his hand. “College student and all around smart ass.”

Jake laughed. Yeah, this job would do just fine.

Two years later...

“Man, I don’t like that guy,” Wyatt muttered, stepping back into the guard shack at the gate of the small community Jake and he worked at. “He’s so... Weird.”

The guy in question was Ginger’s new husband. They’d been dating for a couple of years before he finally popped the question. Fawn told Jake all about it on one of their weekend visits. The nice thing about his new job were the apartments nearby, built especially for those who worked in the community. Wyatt still lived at home with his mom helping her and his little brother Ollie out, so he hadn’t seen the comings and goings like Jake had.

“He’s a suit,” Jake said in agreement. “They’re all like that.” More like FBI. He’d wanted to run a background check on the man, but decided against it. His ‘look around,’ in any database, would probably trigger Agent Kaine or Agent Frazier to come give him a visit. Or, worse, Asher. “How was your weekend?”

“It was an adventure.” Wyatt laughed. “I’ve never seen my little brother so happy, plus mom got the weekend off as well.” He threw the clipboard up on the counter and groaned as he sat down. “Thanks for the tickets. The airshow was amazing. My mom also met someone while we were there.”

“Good, I’m glad you had fun. I thought you’d like to get an up-close look at the planes you’ll be working on and designing once you graduate.” After their initial introduction, Jake could admit he’d gotten the wrong impression about the kid. Wyatt was smart as fuck, quick on his feet and eager to learn. Jake also realized Wyatt might be the consequences, in a screwed up way, of his actions with his family, coming back to bite Jake in the ass.

Mariam had Wyatt in high school, marrying the boy’s father the same year, then had Ollie at twenty-four. The following year, her marriage crumbled, leaving Mariam to care for two boys under the age of ten. The same as Jake had done to Ginger and Fawn. Only difference was, he made sure, no matter what, Ginger had everything she could need for Fawn.

Every penny Wyatt made went to taking care of his family. The ’82 T-Top Firebird Trans Am, he drove, had been rebuilt from the ground up during high school as a senior project for his automotive class. Upon closer inspection, because Jake was impressed, he found the whole of the vehicle had been redone, including the interior. The only new piece of technology within the vehicle was a touch screen audio system.

The kid was exceptional. Knowing he wanted to be an aeronautical engineer set Wyatt apart from some guys who worked security for the community and the other venues they were contracted to.

Getting to know Wyatt also meant self-reflection for Jake. It meant facing some harsh realities. Maybe financially Ginger never suffered, but emotionally, she did, and he caused it. Now, he was determined to give Fawn everything she deserved and to atone for his transgressions where Ginger was concerned, and for all the bullshit he put her through. His redemption, he hoped, started with the job of guarding the housing community. Then taking care of Fawn as much as Ginger would allow. When she married the suit, Jake gave Ginger his blessing, knowing full well he had to let her go, because he’d been such a fuckup.

A dark sedan with tinted windows pulled up to the gate moments after Ginger’s new husband pulled in. “Who’s this?” Wyatt stood to check them in, but Jake grabbed the cuff of his shirt pulling him back down. He didn’t like the looks of the car. Something about it made the short hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, putting him on alert. “I got this one, kid.”

Wyatt nodded. “Yeah, sure. I trust you.”

“Makes both of us, even if you can’t hit the broadside of a barn,” Jake teased, grabbing the clipboard.

Wyatt chuckled. “Yeah, yeah.”

As he stepped out of the guard shack, the driver's side passenger window of the vehicle slid down, revealing an older gentleman. The affable man smiled at Jake and showed his identification. “I am meeting with Mrs. Ginger Madison. We have an emergency client in need of her attention.”

Daisuke Yamamoto. The name sounded familiar. He’d probably heard Ginger talk about the man while picking up Fawn for his weekend with his daughter. “Of course, sir. Have a good evening. I hope things work out.” After filling out the form with Mr. Yamamoto’s information, he handed the man back his license and opened the gate.

“Weird again,” Wyatt said. “Never seen him come by late, either.” Unlike Jake, Wyatt took as many shifts as what the agency would allow him. He knew more about the comings and goings from the gate than Jake did, even though Jake watched over the neighborhood from his apartment. Creepy stalkerish? Sure. However, he took protecting Ginger and Fawn personally.

“Sounds like a fashion emergency.” Jake shrugged. “Could be worse, I guess.”

The gated community housed some of the wealthier residents of Virginia Beach. Ginger and Fawn moved there after she began working for Mr. Yamamoto. The man compensated her well for her work and also offered bonuses as well. Jake was proud of Ginger. She deserved the success she attained working as a tailor. Though the whole vibe of the situation still worried Jake.

“Ah well,” Wyatt said with a grin. “Chiffon happens.”

Jake sighed. “Did you just make a dad joke?”

Wyatt laughed. “I did. You know you want to laugh.”

Jake chuckled. “Maybe a little.” He shook his head as he grabbed the flashlight and radio. “It’s that time again. If anything happens, you know how to find me.”

Wyatt nodded. “Yeah. Be careful. That car and the weirdo... My gut is gnawing at me.”

“Maybe it’s whatever the hell you kids eat for dinner. I swear I never had an iron stomach like you do.” Wyatt could put more shit away than Jake had ever seen, and boy never gained a pound. It made little sense to Jake.

“Never. Iron gut never fails me.” Wyatt patted his flat stomach with a grin. “Seriously though, they give me the willies.”

The kid didn’t have to tell him twice. Jake flicked on the flashlight and began his trek through the neighborhood. Perhaps he’d run that check after all. If Agent Kaine or Agent Frazier found out, well, he’d deal with them and Asher. Because Wyatt was right. Oscar Madison and Mr. Yamamoto were dirty. Jake couldn’t put his finger on the mechanics of it all, but he would get to the bottom of it—hopefully before something bad happened.

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