Page 64 of Tony

Tony sat at his desk studying the man sitting in front of him. Jacques “Jack” Bryant, his former Chief Warrant Officer. Jack, a big man at over six feet of pure muscle, had been leaner than the twins when they were in the service, but now Tony saw that he had put on weight…and none of it looked like fat.

“Jesus, you got bigger,” Tony laughed.

“It’s my mom’s cooking,” he exclaimed. “When I got home two years ago from the Army, I moved back to the farm with her to help out since my dad had passed.”

“I’m sorry,” Tony admitted, realizing how out of touch he had been. There had been a time when the squad members knew every detail of each other’s lives. “I had no idea your dad died.”

“That’s okay,” Jack assured. “He got cancer and by the time they found out, he only had a few months to live. But man, I’d forgotten how my mom can cook. I’d be fat as a cow if it weren’t for the farm work.”

“You still there and trying to run a business?”

“Nah, she’s renting out the farmland. It works good for her ‘cause she lives in the house but doesn’t have the farm responsibilities anymore. So, how’s the men?”

“Gabe got married several months ago and?—”

“Married? Gabe? That horndog? Damn, I have been out of the loop. Tell me Vinny and Jobe haven’t fallen under the spell?”

“Nah, Vinny’s still the worst of them all and Jobe? You know him…he’s waiting on someone special.”

Tony smiled then noticed Jack’s gaze intently staring at him. “Something on your mind?”

Jack rubbed his hand over his chin, pondering for a moment. “You seem…I don’t know…happy.”

Tony chuckled, knowing that being in love again really did show. “I found someone, Jack. Someone special and if she’ll have me, I plan on asking her to marry me.”

“I knew there was something going on with you. Captain, I’m happy for you. I thought you’d never get over…uh…well, not get over, but move on. I’m real glad you found someone. Tell me about her.”

“Her name is Sherrie. She’s a paralegal here in town.”

“Is that how you met?” Jack asked.

Tony laughed, saying, “No. She was actually a rescue mission. She had some trouble and I went in. I wish I could say that I immediately went for her, but…well, I had some issues to deal with, and sometimes us guys can be dumb-shits.”

“Ain’t it the truth!” Jack agreed. The silence stretched for a moment before Jack added, “You deserve to be happy again, Captain.”

Tony smiled his thanks before glancing at the garage monitors, Tony noticed his crew arriving at work. “Let’s go meet the gang.”

As Gabe, Vinny, and Jobe greeted Jack, the whoops and hollers could be heard around the building. Settling in Tony introduced Lily and BJ, identifying the assembly as his core group.

“I’ve been telling Jack about our operation here and he’s interested in collaborating with us at times when needed. Our businesses are different enough that we can easily provide each other with our diverse skill set.”

The others listened as Jack explained what he had assembled. “I had the opportunity during the last two years in the Special Forces to belong to a task force made up of multidisciplinary persons. I decided that with my government contacts, I could do something similar on the outside. I have someone from the CIA, FBI, DEA, and ATF as well as several from Homeland Security. We take jobs that often need us to um…fly under the radar, so to speak.”

After a few more minutes discussing the various scenarios with which the two companies could benefit each other, Tony asked for a report from Lily and BJ on Hernando.

“I have finally found something interesting. It seems that he has a high turnover of employees and I have also noticed that most of them live in the same apartment building. I share Sherrie’s suspicions and am looking to see who owns the building and who pays the rent.”

BJ added, “Boss, I drove by the grocery and laundry and found good spots for security cameras to keep an eye on the coming and goings. Jobe and I can use the utility company uniforms and appear to be working on the lights while installing the cameras.”

Tony nodded in agreement and after a few more minutes of business, Lily and BJ left, leaving the former squad members a chance to catch up.

Finally, Jack stood and shook their hands goodbye. Tony walked him to his vehicle and the two old friends promised to get together soon.

“I’d like you to meet Sherrie,” Tony added.

“I’d like that very much.” Clapping his former Captain on the back, he said, “I never knew anyone who deserved happiness more than you, sir. If Sherrie’s brought you back to life, then she will have my eternal gratitude.”

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