Page 267 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“I think so. Why else would I have traveled to some godforsaken country halfway around the world?”

“He’s a dog. Okay, I get it.”

“No, he’s not. I think he’s hot. He’s got the buff body of a soldier.”

“My, oh my, look at Jade’s new interests in Afghanistan.”

“Shut up,” I shot back.

She sighed again.

“I miss you so much. When are you coming back?”

“In two weeks,” I said. “And I miss you too.”

“Are you there…” Crackle. “…Jade?”

“Hello?” I said into the static.

I lowered the phone and thought about trying to call her back. Instead, I set the phone down and typed up a description of Cooper to maybe use later for my story.

If he was involved in something bad, he would make it into my final story. I reasoned with myself as I wrote my observations of him, mostly bad traits. Some good slipped in.

Before I finished the writing session, someone knocked on the door. Who could that be? I closed the laptop and stood up, ready for anything Afghanistan threw at me.

“Hold on.”

I turned the doorknob and saw Cooper standing outside. His bulging muscles were about ready to rip his olive-green tee-shirt. He grinned that cocksure grin of his.

“Hey, Cooper. What’s up.”

“The CO wants to see you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know why?”

He glanced to the left then right then said, “Do you have a sat-phone with you?”

“No. It’s against the rules.”

“We intercepted the signal going out. You’re dealing with the U.S. Army, not a bunch of idiots.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I insisted.

“Can I give you a tip?”

“Sure.”

“Tell the truth, okay? If you do, he won’t restrict you in your quarters.”

“He can’t do that to me,” I said. “I’m a private U.S. citizen.”

“Look, Jade. I’m just trying to help you out. He has a lot of power out here.”

“Yeah? What kind of power? Anything going on I should know about? Like those samples?”

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