Page 55 of Soldier, Tailor, Spy

“There’s more,” Tex said. “While we were digging, AJ and I found the IP address for the email where the original orders for Oscar to gather evidence against all of you came from. Obviously, we know the person had to be someone higher in the chain of command for the FBI. Does the division and name Assistant Director of Insider Threat Office Niles Digby ring a bell for anyone here?”

“Son of a bitch,” Asher said. “Yeah, yeah it does. Are you sure?”

“Well, without inspecting his computer, I can’t be a hundred percent certain, but I am ninety-five percent sure he’s our guy,” Tex answered. “It goes right back to his division and his email. Unless someone else had his email, which I highly doubt—”

“You’re right,” Asher agreed. “I know who he is. I thought we had eliminated all of Lincoln’s cohorts. Looks like we missed a few. I’ll need to talk to my uncle again, to be on the safe side.”

“Are you thinking someone put Digby in his position to spy on the Bureau and get closer to you?” Jake hedged.

“If this was any other circumstance, I’d say I was being fucking paranoid thinking such, but here we are.” His boss had a point. Lincoln’s reach was far and wide. Jake had been surprised when the asshole hadn’t tried to come for him while he’d been exposed, though, thinking about it, Lincoln’s machinations had led to Jake’s weakest link, his family, and, well, that just pissed him the fuck off.

“Exactly.” Jake nodded. “So, we have to play this like we’re back in the fucking jungle. Lincoln’s spies and men can be anywhere.”

“This is some fucked up shit,” Noah muttered. “We were all settling into our new normal lives.”

“It’s always when we rest on our laurels that we get caught unaware,” Asher said. “Now, if there’s nothing else, I have calls to make and shit to do. You have your orders as well. Dismissed.”

Jake headed out and waited for Luca in Asher’s kitchen. When the man joined him, he started for the Silver House, where Kiyoshi and Mr. Yamamoto were staying for the day, along with Itsuki. He wasn’t sure how Ginger was going to take the news about the shop being reopened or the prospect of having her job back if she wanted it. If he had more time before taking the meeting, he’d have prepared her for what was about to go down. As it was, Luca needed space to finish setting up the operation once the paperwork was signed. This, Jake had a feeling, was going to end up being a cluster fuck.

“Luca,” he hesitated.

“You’re worried,” the man said, tilting his head. “Talk.”

“Should Ginger be in on this conversation? I have a feeling once the shop is open, Mr. Yamamoto will want her back to work. It could happen organically with a little nudge. Springing it on her like this could backfire on us.”

Luca tapped his chin, then nodded. “Yes. I believe she should be included in on this conversation. It is her well-being, after all.”

“Thank you. I appreciate this.” Luca was right. All of her choices, it seemed, over the last few years, were taken from her. Allowing her to walk back into an unknown situation, unaware of what was happening, could cause her problems. Jake stepped away and made the quick call to Ginger. When she answered, he filled her in. “Listen, bring Fawn and Declan to the Silver House. There is something we need to discuss.”

“Are we in danger?” Ginger huffed.

“No. Not in the way you think. Everything is safe. Starting tomorrow, we all go back to normal,” he answered. “Though this situation is a new twist in the case, so your input is important.”

“We’ll be there shortly,” Ginger said. “You owe me.”

Jake laughed. “Of course. Anything for you, Gingersnap.” He hung up with her, then started for the front door. “She’s on the way.”

“Good.”

Once they were all situated within the Silver House, Fawn and Declan in the living room playing by themselves, Luca pulled the contracts out for everyone, except for Ginger, to read over. If she didn’t want to work at the shop, she didn’t have to go back. Mr. Yamamoto and Kiyoshi exchanged looks while Itsuki sat across from Jake, expressionless. Of all the men, Itsuki kept quiet and been more apt to defer to the younger Yamamoto. His loyalty to Mr. Yamamoto was admirable, but in this situation, he had a choice to make. If he went in the wrong direction, Jake feared he’d end up dead.

“Ginger,” Luca began, “the reason you are here with all of us is because Jake realizes you might want to return to your job, if Mr. Yamamoto and Mr. Kiyoshi Yamamoto will have you. You should know the shop and surrounding area will be monitored twenty-four hours a day. I will place an agent of my choosing into the shop as a physical cover for all of you and as a go between for the agency and you. This is your decision. No one else can tell you what to do. Of course, this plan hinges on what the Yamamotos decide to do as well.”

“We’ll do it,” Kiyoshi said. “We must make amends.”

Mr. Yamamoto inclined his chin. “Yes. A slight gesture to help heal deep wounds within our family and our community.” He laid his hand over Ginger’s. “You are always welcome in our shop, my girl. You’re our family.”

“You’re no fair,” Ginger whispered. “Buttering me up with soft words while I am still so angry at you and grateful at the same time.”

“Ginger,” Jake said. “No one will hold your decision against you. Of all of us, you have endured this whole incident. Whatever outcome you choose, I’ll be right beside you, as will the Yamamotos.”

She exhaled a shaky breath. “I have to consider Fawn’s feelings in this as well.” She glanced at Kiyoshi, then at Mr. Yamamoto. “She loves you both so much. Itsuki? Can you look at me?”

The man lifted his gaze to her. At that moment, he appeared as a young boy, afraid he’d be rejected for his misdeeds. “Yes, Miss?”

“You too. I know you were the one who held us at gunpoint. I know you heard what Oscar said. I don’t like what you did to us, but I also know you wouldn’t have hurt us,” she admitted. “Even though I could be forgiving you too swiftly.”

“No, Miss. Never. You’re precious to us.” Finally, the man spoke more than a word at a time.

---