Page 42 of Resisting His Target
“Yep.”
“Shit. You know what I’m thinking, right?”
Razorback shrugged. “Same thing Mac’s thinking. She may have been a victim of that serial killer.”
“Arnold Godak.” Cowboy shook his head. Now he understood. “Let me guess, Godak’s at Rikers.”
Razorback nodded. “Awaiting trial on a B and E.”
Why didn’t he just fucking tell me?
If Cowboy had known the reason Mac was dropping the HERO Force name, he would have been the first to tell him it was okay. He scratched the stubble where his beard had been, wondering when he’d put perfection before brotherhood. His priorities were messed up. If Mac and his men were damaged goods, it was because they’d put themselves on the line to defend and fight for their country. They deserved better from him, and he resolved they would receive it from now on. “So, what’s the time off for?”
“He thinks he knows where the bodies are buried. Told the FBI, but Godak won’t repeat anything incriminating, and they say the information he gave to Mac is too vague to act on. Last I talked to Mac, he was talking about looking into it himself.”
“What, with a shovel?”
Jackie returned and sat down.
“I guess,” said Razorback. “You should ask him yourself.”
He would have to do that. Jackie was looking at the menu, her shoulder nearly touching Razorback’s. There was something between them, all right, and he could only hope that was a good thing for his old friend. He’d met Ian’s first wife. Jackie was a considerable improvement.
The waitress took their orders. Cowboy’s cell phone rang and he hoped it was Charlotte, but Logan’s ugly mug stared back at him from the screen. “What’s up, Doc?”
“Flight plan’s been filed. I’ve got the bird fueled up and ready to go.”
“Be there within the hour.”
“Did you hear? Simmons officially dropped out of the race. McGrath is definitely getting the nomination tomorrow.”
Cowboy’s eyes went to the woman across the table, who was talking quietly to Razorback with a smile. He hoped Ian was ready for this, because the stage was set for one hell of an explosion—with Jackie Desjardins at the center of it all.
25
The helicopter ride to San Antonio took almost an hour, the private jet from there to Dulles slightly more than another three. Jackie slept during the first, staying awake to work on notes for her speech for the second.
Razorback sat nearby and she occasionally caught him looking at her, but they didn’t talk much. The stakes were too high for light conversation, her anxiety running at a fevered pitch.
By the time they landed and took a cab to the hotel, it was almost six. She got out, conscious of her own filth and how she must look to the bellhops and valets. She closed her eyes. “I have to go shopping. I need clothes.”
Razorback took her hand and led her through the entrance. “Already taken care of. I made a phone call while you were asleep.”
“To whom?”
“Jax’s wife, Jessa. She had some things brought over from Nordstrom for you to try on.”
“Well, bless her heart.”
They checked in. “Two king suites?” asked the clerk.
She looked to Ian, who looked back, clearly saying it was her call. “Do you have any adjoining?” At least she would have her own shower, which she thought she might never get out of at this point.
“Of course, madam. Name?”
“Jackie Desjardins.”
He passed them their key cards. “I’ll have someone bring up the clothing. Enjoy your stay.”
