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“I’m looking for a partner.”
“I don’t want to be part of any of your schemes.”
He laughed.
“Damn, bro. Jump to conclusions often? This is totally legit.”
“Yeah? And what is it?”
“I’m starting a security company. I’ve already got three big name clients lined up, and I need to find people like you who I can trust.”
“You want to hire me?” I shook my head. “Not interested.”
“No, bro. I need a financial partner.”
“Oh, so you want my money.”
“Well, yeah, but you too. I like how you think things through all the time. We made a good team back in Afghanistan.”
I took a deep breath and shook my head.
“It’s not for me. Not now.”
Do not tell him about hunting down Jade.
He stared into my eyes, his brow furrowed as he studied me.
“Will you at least think about it? I’ll write up an official proposal with all the terms and details.”
“You can do that, but I’m telling you I’m not interested.”
“Before you even know the details, bro? That doesn’t sound like the Cooper I remember.”
“We all change. At least some of us do.”
“Harsh, but fair.”
The waitress returned with our coffee. I took a sip while glancing out the window. Several people passed by, wrapped up in their own worlds, oblivious to anything else.
I finished my coffee as quickly as possible, ready to leave. If Jade called, I didn’t want to be anywhere near Max or his crazy plans, legit or not.
The mystery of the night before continued to play itself out in my mind as I craved answers. Max rambled on about something, but I tuned him out.
After I drank the last of the bitt
er brew, I slid the cup to the center of the table then stood. He glanced up, making eye contact. I hated everything about him.
“I’m leaving,” I said. “You can email me the information, but I’m probably not going to change my mind.”
“At least read the shit, bro. You can do that for me, right?”
“Yeah, I’ll read it. Thanks for the coffee.”
“Still a cheap bastard, huh?” he said then laughed.
I turned and walked to the door, already wrapped up in my thoughts. The image of her face when I first slid into her flashed through my mind as I walked home, deciding what to do next.
SIXTEEN
