Page 21 of Justice for Aleta

Jack couldn’t believe his eyes, and yet his dick was pretty damn interested. It was trying its best to peek out the top of his boxer briefs, and it was almost succeeding. He sent back his own text:No matter what you wear on top of them, THAT’S what I want to see Friday night!Then he waited.

Short and sweet.Goodnight, Jack. Sweet dreams.The emoticon was a smiley face blowing a kiss, and Jack smiled. He didn’t reply but he knew what he wanted to say.

They will be. I’ll be thinking of you.

* * *

“Menendez is on the warpath.He wants to know who the hit man was, and he wants to know right now.” DaxChambers’ voice filled the kitchen on Thursday night as Jack listened on speaker. “He has no idea who Moss is.”

“How did he find out what happened?” Jack asked, making notes.

“The guy who rented the car got a call from the rental company. They told him what happened and that McIntosh was dead. He asked about the passenger and they told him they didn’t know anything about a passenger. So now he knows somebodytookhis chemist. We’re in the process of planting the seeds for Ortiz and, eventually, Moss. But that opens up another problem for you.”

Jack’s heart pounded. “Moss is going to eliminate anybody who might be able to identify him or describe him. And if he’s got a single brain cell, he’s going to look at the news accounts of the story and see that Aleta is alive.”

“Bingo,” Dax said. “So I’m sending you a pic of Moss to show to your witness and make sure that’s who she saw. I’m also sending you pics of Menendez and Ortiz, plus my two undercovers so if you find anybody down there, you’ll know who they are. They’re FBI, but they won’t be able to identify themselves.”

“Good. I’ll see to it that all the pics get where they need to be. Thanks, Dax.”

The ranger hesitated and Jack wondered what he was about to say when he finally asked, “Can I ask something? Are you personally invested in this investigation? I mean, on more than just in a professional level?”

Very perceptive, Jack thought. “Actually, yes.”

“On a personal level? Like helping out the witness?”

“More like dating the witness.”

“Oh.”

Jack chuckled. “I was kind of expecting a rebuff from you about professionalism.”

Dax laughed loudly. “I’m in no position for that! The woman who answered the phone when you called the first time? That’s Mack. I met her through work, and not in a good way, so far be it from me to criticize you for getting involved with a witness.”

“Thing is, I thought her part of this investigation was wrapped up. I had no idea this was going to happen. So that was a mistake on my part.”

“Hey, bud, the heart wants what the heart wants. Finding the right person is hard. I hope this works out for you.”

Jack smiled. He hoped someday he’d get to meet Dax. The guy was genuinely friendly and warm, and he’d love to meet Mack too. Maybe he and Aleta could go to Texas when the whole thing was over, whenever that was.

“Thanks, Dax. And thanks for all your help. I’ll let you know if I get any more info.”

“Same from this end. Night, Kentucky.” The phone went silent and Jack smiled. Dax had told him at one point that all his friends had nicknames.

Kentucky. He had one too.

* * *

Friday’s morninglight came too soon, or maybe not soon enough. Jack had tossed and turned all night long, terrified at the thought of what might happen to Aleta when Moss found out Menendez was looking for him. He talked to Cappy that morning, with a stern admonishment from his superior to keep an eye on Aleta. That was taken as permission to shadow her, and that was all the encouragement he needed.

He spent the day across the street from the pancake place, watching. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. When her shift was over at three, he followed her with two or three cars between them at all times. He didn’t really want her to know he was there, knowing that would undermine her self-confidence. When she made it home, he called from down the block. “Hey, we still on for tonight?”

“Do you think something’s changed since last night?”

He wanted to say,Yeah. A lot has changed. You’re walking around with a bull’s eye on your back, but he didn’t. Instead, he said, “I was hoping it hadn’t.”

“JackFletcher, I don’t take underwear pictures for just anybody. Matter of fact, I’ve never taken them for anybody. Just you. You couldn’t see my face, right?” she asked, not a hint of humor in her voice.

He chuckled at her uncertainty. “Nope. But I could sure see the rest of you, and you looked amazing. And before you ask, no?I would never show them to anybody. That was from you to me. Private stuff. For no one else’s eyes.”

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