Page 268 of 5+Us Makes Seven

His eyes widened almost imperceptibly, but I saw the surprise on his face.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Let’s go.”

“Yeah, just like I have no idea what you’re talking about with the sat-phone you said you saw me using. Right?”

“Come on,” he said, turning. “I have to bring you to him.”

I took a deep breath then walked outside into the cool evening air. With dinner in an hour, he wouldn’t yell at me long. And making Captain Jeffries upset might work to my advantage if he got heated and let something slip.

As I followed Cooper across the central plaza in middle of the base, I planned out answers to the questions he would ask me. No matter the situation, I liked to be prepared. It’s what had gotten me through college and made it possible for me to find freelance assignments around the world.

Cooper slowed down as we approached the Captain Jeffries’ office.

“Just be honest, okay? It’s for the best.”

“Like you being honest with me about the samples, huh?”

He frowned.

“Like I said…”

“Forget it,” I interrupted. “Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself.”

We stopped and turned to face each other. I stared into his blue eyes, betting many women had fallen prey to them over the years.

“Suit yourself,” he said as he pointed to the door. “I’m off to enjoy my downtime.”

“Good for you,” I said, tired of the back and forth with him.

I walked up to the door and opened it without knocking. Tony looked up from his desk with a look of terror on his face. He was a man easy to manipulate.

“The CO wanted to see me?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. “Hold on.”

“I’ll go back.”

He looked at me like a frightened mouse as I walked past

his desk and went into Captain Jeffries’ office. By the time he stood to stop me, I’d closed the door of the CO’s office.

“Sit down,” the grizzled commander practically growled.

“Is this about my phone call?” I asked as I walked over. “I know it’s against the rules, but I had to call my father. He’s dying.”

Captain Jeffries leveled his icy stare at me.

“If there’s one thing I hate, it’s liars.”

“I’m telling you the truth.”

“You didn’t call your father.” He glanced down at a paper on his desk. “You called someone named Laura Johnson. Who is she? Your contact? Were you speaking in code?”

I crossed my arms over my chest as I stood in front of his desk.

“You were listening to my call?”

“I said sit down.”

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