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Tina was quiet and this time Jenny knew that she was processing everything. “You know you could just come here. You’d be safe. Nobody would know where you were. Lou’s a big guy.” Tina said, referring to her husband.
“Yes he is, but he’s an accountant. I think I’ll stick with Brax. Anyway, you’re my best friend. They’d know. I’m safer with the SEALs.”
“Your super soldier is a SEAL?”
“Yeah.”
Tina sighed. “Well, okay. But don’t you dare not call me again. I want to hear from you every day, otherwise I’m going to stalk your ass. You got it?”
Jenny giggled. “I’ve got it.”
“I love you, Jenny,” Tina said softly. “You make sure that Brax takes care of you, okay?”
“Okay.”
Tina hung up and Jenny smiled.
How stupid have I been not talking to Tina more often? As soon as this bullshit is done, I’m flying out to Colorado and visiting her.
Brax and Mateo didn’t have any luck at Jeckel’s house in Chesapeake, so they drove out to Lake Anna where the man had a cabin.
“Pretty,” Mateo said as they drove along the lakeshore.
“I was wondering, do you think Jase is going to retire?” Brax asked Mateo.
“Where’d that question come from?” Mateo sighed.
“I’m just thinking about this guy Jeckel, and how he lost his job after thirty-five years. Must have come as a blow. Then I thought about Jase.”
“Jase is convinced that he’ll get back to one hundred percent,” Mateo answered. “We both know what a stubborn son of a bitch he is, so maybe he will.”
Brax nodded. “But what if?”
“Well, what would you do?”
“I’ve been thinking about it. Nolan has that opportunity in Jasper Creek, working for the Lieutenant Commander. I’d check out something like that.”
“That’s not the same thing at all,” Mateo argued. “Where’s the rush?”
“You plan to marry Lainey, right?”
“Damn straight.”
“You got kids in mind?” Brax asked.
“Damn straight.”
“I just can’t help thinking that if I went through an injury like Jase did, and I had two kids with one on the way, I might be thinking of a change. That’s all,” Brax said as he continued to drive.
“One on the way?”
“Yep. Hadn’t you heard?”
“Nope.”
“Anyway, I think I could give up the rush for something a little more cerebral. Something a little safer, like working for a security firm.”
“Shit. When you put it that way, I get it,” Mateo said. He pointed to a mailbox up ahead. “There’s the turn.”
