When Raleigh entered the room, Jared had his head in his hands. He could tell Jared had been fighting off tears but had been unapologetic for his actions, so Raleigh felt nothing for his friend when he kicked the table leg and jarred Jared to his feet.
“You ready to answer my questions?” he asked as he sat down facing Jared.
“What the hell did you do that for?” Jared asked sullenly.
“Well, I figured it would wake you up, because apparently someone needs to wake your ass up to what the hell you’ve been doing to yourself and your country!” Raleigh snorted back.
Jared jeered. “This isn’t my country anymore. If you hadn’t arrested me when you did, Sameana and I would be on our way to Afghanistan. We would be out of this murderous country and starting a new life.”
“Murderous? You’ve killed more men than most Army units. Whatcha mean murderous?” Raleigh cursed.
“Just what I said—murderous. America goes around acting as if they are the policemen of the world, interfering in every skirmish, but in reality you are all infidels, murderous infidels that involve yourselves where you aren’t wanted,” Jared seethed.
“Ok, man. I’m not gonna listen to this so try to keep your beliefs to yourself. If you're ready, now we are gonna get started.
“Ya, I’m ready, man, shoot.” Jared snarled
Raleigh paused and gathered his thoughts. There was so much that he needed to find out, and it seemed like they were working against the clock. The longer it took for them to get what they needed from Jared, the more Americans who could be killed. He needed to get as much information as he could to put a stop to all of it. His first question was the one he wanted to know the most but went back and forth on if he should ask it first. Fuck it.
“Did you hire Jamal Hendricks to kill Sergeant Samantha O’Hara?” Raleigh asked.
Jared snapped back. “Yes, the bitch was getting too close. She kept asking questions, so I had to get rid of her.”
Snorting, Raleigh asked, “How did you meet Jamal Hendricks?”
“Never met him, only talked to him.”
“Ok, so how did you get his name? He lives in Chicago, correct?”
“Got his name and number from Anderson, and ya, as far as I know he lives in Chicago. Part of a gang, I hear. Planned it out to make it look like a gang related incident but he fucked it up. Told him to shoot her. Instead, he fuckin’ made it look like a mugging,” Jared raged.
“Do you know who he got the name and the number from?”
Jared quickly responded, “Ya, of course. Anderson got it from one of his guys. Some specialist in his squad, I think his name is Jackson.”
“So, Anderson got Hendricks’ name from Specialist Jackson?”
“Yep.”
“Ok. So did you start the fire at the warehouse?” Raleigh asked.
“Yep, sure did.”
“How did Jackson fit into the plan?”
“Well, Jackson was supposed to be seen at the warehouse close to the time of the fire. The plan was for him to go down for the fire.”
“So you wanted Jackson to be caught?” Raleigh challenged.
Jared scoffed. “Well, of course. I needed a fall guy, and he was perfect.”
“What about Anderson? How does he fit in all this?”
“Anderson was easy. I needed a warehouse to store equipment before I had it shipped to New Orleans to the port there. I heard he was in deep debt and was losing everything. So I hit him up one day and gave him a reason to help me. Cash and lots of it.”
“So who is your contact in New Orleans?” Raleigh probed.
“Don’t know, never met him in person. Just communicate through encrypted email. I’m supposed to meet him at the Ferris Wheel Bar at the Hotel Renée on the seventh. Semeana and I were heading there when you picked me up. The plan was to hitch a ride on the ship with the equipment to Afghanistan. We were supposed to register at the hotel on Thursday the fifth, so two days from now.”
“Do you know who killed Staff Sergeant Janice Wilson?”
“Ya, I know. Had Hendricks meet her at Navy Pier and put a bullet in her head. She was getting greedy and threatened to expose us. So Al-Balshera had me have her killed. She was also skimming off the top, and we couldn’t have that,” Jared snickered.
“Ok. So how much equipment has been going out of the country?”
“Oh hell, man. Millions of dollars. We get it to various arms dealers and keep some of the equipment. Arms dealers buy the stuff cheap from us and resell it all over the world. The money goes to recruitment and to support the cause.”
“So, you converted to Islam?” Raleigh added.
Jared acknowledged with a nod. “Ya, a while ago back in Afghanistan before we even left the country.”
Raleigh needed to affirm what Jared was telling him. “So, what you're saying is you’ve been working against your country for a few years now?”
“Yep, actually since we were captured. Been working for Al-Balshera and communicating with him as soon as we returned to American forces,” Jared muttered.
“So, the attacks that happened on the Forward Operating Base were because of you?” Raleigh agonized, waiting for the answer.
“Yep,” Jared quickly snapped back.
“We lost men. We lost fifteen men during those attacks!”
“Yep. Set up a couple of them myself,” Jared snorted proudly.
Raleigh sat in amazement at the lack of remorse and the pure hatred Jared expressed toward his fellow soldiers. These were guys he knew and fought alongside. He was responsible for the deaths of seventeen soldiers, and who knew how many other lives had been lost because of what he was doing. Treason. Jared is a traitor. His best friend was a traitor.
“Ok. I’m done with you tonight. It’s almost midnight, and you are making me sick to my stomach.”
Raleigh banged on the hallway door. The officer on the other side unlocked it and let Raleigh out. “Take that traitor to his fuckin’ cell. I will be back in the morning.”
Sam and Matt met him in the hallway, their faces frozen in utter amazement at what they witnessed. Raleigh could also see anger grow in Matt’s face, and Sam’s face was a mix of fear and horror. Sam’s voice hitched and she held back tears as she asked Raleigh if he was ok.
“Yeah, I’m ok. How about you two?”
Matt was quick to answer, and his anger showed. “I wanna fuckin’ kill him. We lost good men in those attacks, and he acts as though they fuckin’ deserved to die. I hope the motherfucker rots in hell, cuz I’m ready to fuckin’ kill him with my bare hands.” He lunged towards the door, but Raleigh was quick to stop him, putting his arm up square with Matt’s chest.
“Matt, he’s not worth it. We gotta get the information we need. Let the Army take care of the rest. He will face justice, and we will get justice for those guys we lost. For now, we gotta stop this cell in New Orleans. I will talk to Jared in the morning, see if we can’t get more information. If you could get with the general and get us a flight on a MAC for tomorrow afternoon to New Orleans that would be great.”
“Ya, man. I can do that. I have to brief the general anyway so might as well ask him to authorize a flight for you two. You gonna be ok, man? I know you and Thompson were close.”
“Close is not the half of it. We grew up together, joined the Army together, and been in the same units our entire career. We both took a beating in Afghanistan, many of them, but I never in a million years would imagine him turning his back on me, fellow soldiers, or our country. I should call his parents, but I don’t know what to say to them. Jared’s dad was in Vietnam, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a Special Operations god. This is gonna kill him.”
“I know it sucks, man, and I am sorry. If there is anything I can do, let me know. I’m gonna head out and get some sleep; I will see you in the morning.” Matt patted Raleigh on the back as he walked away. “I’ll have my phone on if you need me. I will be in at eight hundred hours. I will see you then.”
“Thanks, Buddy. I will see you then. We are gonna head back ourselves.”
Sam stood leaning against the wall. She was emotionally and physically exhausted, and she held back tears as the two men talked then parted ways. She kept thinking about what Jared had said, “The bitch was asking too many questions, so we needed to get rid of her.” The words kept repeating in her head. “Bitch” he says. I’ll give him a bitch. If he thinks me asking questions means I’m a bitch then wait ’til he sees what I would do if I were alone with him. I just need five minutes alone and him locked to the table.
“You ready to go, babe?” Raleigh beamed at her.
“Shhhhh, someone will hear you,” she cautioned.
“I don’t care if they do. Are you ok? Really ok?” he asked, concerned.
“Ya, I’m ok, just tired and hungry. You think we can swing by a drive-thru on the way back to the hotel?”
“Ya, of course. Whatcha thinking?” he replied back with a grin and wink.
“McDonald’s sounds good, and there is a twenty-four hour one right off post near the hotel. Is that ok?”
“Anything you want, my dear,” he smirked.
When they got into the car, Sam leaned the passenger seat back and closed her eyes. Raleigh put his hand on her leg and rubbed it as they drove away. She loved it when he touched her, and she could feel herself drift off. She woke up to him ordering their food.
“How long was I out?”
“Only a few minutes, baby. I understand it’s been a long and emotionally draining day. I’ll wake you when we get to the hotel. I’d carry you up to the room, but my hands will be full bringing the food up.”
She laughed and said, “It’s ok, baby. I think I can manage to walk to the room.”
“Ya, I think you are pretty capable at just about everything you do,” Raleigh smirked.
“Just about everything?” Sam teased.
“Ok, maybe everything. I don’t want to give you too much credit. We have yet to jump in the sack.”
“Oh really? What makes you think I would jump in the sack with you?”
“Well, I think you want to as much as I want to,” Raleigh boasted.
“You might be right, but tonight, baby, I have a headache,” Sam complained.
Raleigh couldn’t contain himself; he laughed so hard he almost drove the car off the road. Sam was laughing so hard her stomach hurt.
“Ok, darlin’, it’s another cuddle night then.”
“I’d love that. You are quite the gentleman.”
“Why, thank you, my dear. I sure try.”
As they pulled into the hotel parking lot, Sam leaned in and kissed Raleigh on the cheek.
“What’s that for?”
“That, my darlin’, is because you treat me so well. And well, for just being you.”
“I’ll take that,” he said as he got out of the car, then walked to the passenger side to help Sam out. Holding his hand out to hers, he assisted her out of her seat and followed her to the room. Sam sat down and started taking off her boots. He stopped her and kneeled at her feet.
“Let me help you with those,” he begged.
“I can get them, baby.”
“I know you can, but I want to. I want to take care of you,” he admitted.
Sam sat as he took off her boots then rubbed her feet. “How’s that, darlin?” Raleigh asked.
“Feels fantastic. I’d say don’t stop, but I am so hungry I could chew my nails,” she groaned.
“Ya, me too. I will get the food out. You go change.”
“I will be right back.” Sam’s sweet voice echoed in his ears.
She changed into a white tank top and a pair of boxers. She was comfortable, and since they weren’t going to fool around or jump in the sack, she wasn’t too worried about looking sexy. Besides, if he likes me, he will think I look hot in whatever I wear.
When she emerged from the bathroom, Raleigh stood in amazement at how beautiful she was. “You ready to eat, darlin’?” he asked.
Raleigh had already changed while she was in the bathroom. Sam couldn’t believe she was in the same room with a man that looked as good as he did. It is gonna be a long night. Lying next to him all night and not making love—that would be difficult. But it was not the night for them; it had to be perfect.
Neither of them were in shape to do anything. Both of them had an emotionally draining day. She wanted to ask him how he was feeling, but she wanted to see if he would trust her enough to just come out and tell her. She hoped he would, she prayed he would, she wanted him to. She hoped they would talk about it but would not push the issue. She waited for him to make the first move.
Raleigh sighed and she could hear a bit of relief in his voice. “I’m glad this day is over,” he said. “How about you, baby?”
Sam took a deep breath. “Oh my, yes. This ranks up there with one of the worst days in a long time for me. What about you?” she asked, hoping he would tell her what he was thinking or how he was feeling.
“I’m fine, I just thought I knew him better than that. Never in a million years would I have imagined that Jared would turn on our country. I mean, he and I grew up together, did everything together, sometimes even dated the same girls in high school. We played football together and joined the Army together. It’s like I got punched in the gut.”
Sam knew a little about what he was talking about and moved in closer to him to comfort him at the very least. She touched him on the hand and leaned in to kiss him. When they kissed, it was like they were the only people in the world. Nothing could come between them; no one could come between them. She kept telling herself she could trust him. He had been hurt, too. Her brain wasn’t listening, but her heart told her she could. Their kiss grew more intense and things were heating up when he pushed her away.
“Baby girl, as much as I want this to happen right here and now, we should wait. Perfection takes time.”
Sam looked confused at first, but it was that moment that her brain and heart agreed. She could trust him. If he was willing to wait for the right time, so was she.
“All right, darlin’. If you can wait, so can I,” she said, winking at him. “But you don’t know what you’re missing tonight.”
“Oh, baby girl, I know, and so does the rest of me.” He glanced down at the bulge in his shorts.
“I know and I’m sorry, but when it happens it is gonna be perfect. And besides you’re the one that pulled away, not me,” she said, grinning.
“Yeah, I know. Don’t remind me,” he said, laughing. “You ready for bed, baby?”
“Oh ya, I’m more than ready.” She glanced down at the bulge in his shorts. “Now keep him in check tonight. I don’t wanna get woken up because I am getting poked in the leg or the butt cheek.”
“I promise, baby.”
Sam thought for a moment, then moved over to the couch and motioned for Raleigh to sit next to her, patting the seat next to her. “Sit here, baby.”
Raleigh got up and sat down but with hesitation in his movement. “What are you doin’, woman?”
Sam leaned over the arm of the couch and turned off the lamp. It was completely dark in the room. He could feel her moving around then she got up from the sofa.
“Where are you goin’, baby?”
“Close your eyes,” she told him, then kneeled in front of him. She grabbed his head and lifted it to kiss him. Her kiss was deep as she covered her mouth with his. Her tongue danced inside his mouth. The deeper she kissed him, the more aroused he became. He pushed her away, but his need was too much for him. Her hand caressed his chest and his arms, then moved to the waistband of his shorts.
“These are in the way. Take them off,” she ordered.
“Are you sure baby? Is this what you want?”
“Yes, now hush and do as I say. Take those shorts off.” As he slipped the shorts off, Sam got up and returned, tying something over his eyes then cuffing his hands and feet. She had borrowed the cuffs and shackles from the MP station and had planned the whole evening while Raleigh was out picking up Jared.
“What are you up to, darlin’?”
“Shhhh or I will put a rag in your mouth.” She laughed. “Now relax; I want to take care of you tonight.”
Raleigh sank into the back of the couch as Sam’s hands massaged her way to his erection. The feel of her hands wrapped around him felt so good, making his cock jerk. He wanted to make love to her so badly, but their time would come. For now, he would not argue with her because it felt too damned good. As she stroked his cock, she kissed the inside of his thighs. He moaned as his head rolled back coming to rest on the couch. She kissed her way to his balls, licking and gently sucking. Raleigh’s moans became louder, and his breathing quickened.
“You like that, baby?” she said as she looked up then sucked a little harder, just enough to send shivers throughout his body. He needed release, and she wanted to give it to him. She wanted to give him happiness both in and out of bed that he had never had with another woman. She wanted to give him pleasure like he had never had before. She wanted that, and she wanted to be with him forever.
She continued running her tongue along the underside of his erection, ravaging it with a hunger he had never experienced. It aroused him even more as he listened to her soft moans and the sounds of suction she made while she attacked each of his testicles. He was more than ready for her to take his cock in her mouth, but he couldn’t move. She was in control, and that made him want her even more. He had never had a woman take control of him and his pleasure. It was exhilarating to him. In his entire life, he never wanted a woman as much as he wanted her, and not just for one night but for the rest of his life.
He could feel his pulse getting quicker as she engulfed the head of his cock with her mouth. His muscles tightened, and he grabbed her head with his hands pressing down so she would take the length of him. She took him in. Her mouth was moist, and she sucked as he slid in then slowly out. His mind was spinning, and thoughts of being inside her whisked his brain and body into overdrive. He started to buck and grind as his movements got quicker, sliding in and out of her moist mouth and pursed tight lips. My god, if her pussy is as good as her mouth I’m in trouble. He could feel the cum well up inside and build up in his cock. He was trying to hold back, trying not to blow too soon, but she was so good and the feeling was overwhelming. She could feel his cock fill and tasted the pre-cum. She knew he was getting close to release, and she wanted it. As he pumped her face faster, he called her name and begged her to suck harder.
“Baby, please don’t stop. It feels so good. I wanna cum. I wanna cum now,” he said with urgency. He couldn’t stand it anymore, he needed release. He needed to fill her mouth with his juices. He felt her mouth purse, and she sucked harder as he slid his hard, erect shaft in and out. She wanted to look into his eyes when he came so she reached up and pulled the blindfold from his eyes. They stared at each other almost sensing what the other was saying. She felt his cock jerk and his body quivered, tensing up. Raleigh grabbed her, calling her name, then she felt him fill her mouth. His body shook, and his moans echoed in the room.
His body went limp. When she lifted, Raleigh grabbed her, lifting her to his lips. He needed to kiss her. She had just given him the most spectacular blow job he had ever received, and the only thing he could think of was to kiss her. He was blown away by her. She was even sexier now than she was the first time he saw her. As they pulled away from their kiss, they looked at each other. His eyes spoke to her. She could tell he was falling for her, and she was afraid he could see she had fallen for him.
“I need to get these off you.” Grabbing the keys, she unlocked his cuffs. When he got loose, he stood up, swept her up in his arms, and tossed her on the bed. He leaned over her as she lay spread across the bed.
“You sure know how to take care of me, baby,” he said as he leaned down and kissed her again, more deeply than he ever had before. He didn’t want to hide his feelings for her anymore. He hoped that she would trust him enough to show her he was patient; he could wait.
He pulled the covers over them and held her as they both drifted off. Tomorrow, they had more questions for Jared and a flight to catch to New Orleans.