Jake’s emotional scene with Holly filled him with an uncontrollable urge to confront the person responsible for the end of their relationship. He contacted Logan International Airport but, sadly for him, all the flights to Washington for the next two days had been booked. He couldn’t wait that long. If he wanted to come face-to-face with Allison, he would have to endure an exhausting, nine-hour drive. In spite of that inconvenience, though, his desire to have some sense of closure prevailed. Jake was desperate to humiliate his ex-girlfriend in front of her colleagues at the Pentagon. For him, it was an ideal revenge for what she had done to him. It didn’t matter to him that he would have to drive through the night or that he would most likely have to keep his bar closed the next day. The idea of paying Allison back dominated his mind.

So, later that night, he left the small town of Adams behind him, with a heavy heart and the taste of his tears still strong in his mouth.

“It’s time you paid for what you did, Allie. Damn… There’s something I never thought I would think. But, you left me no choice. You’re not the woman I remember, Allison. You were kind, sweet, sensitive… Now, you’ve turned into a manipulative bitch, which has no problem pretending everything’s fine. I mean, you acted as if you had done nothing wrong, but, all this time, you’ve been plotting on how to break me up with her. Congratulations. Holly was gullible enough to believe that crap.”

The long drive took its toll on him. Jake was very tired, but he was so determined to confront Allison that he would not stop. Almost nine hours later, as the massive structure of the Pentagon came into view, a rush of adrenaline forced his drowsy eyes open. The long identification process annoyed him, but he wouldn’t let that deter him. Finding himself on the second-floor C ring, he felt his pulse rising. Jake strode quickly past quite a few offices, before noticing the young blonde, sitting at her desk. Unfortunately, however, she was all alone.

“Jake!” She exclaimed, surprise written all over her face, as she jumped from her seat. “What a pleasant surprise!”

“Really?” He said sarcastically, slamming the door behind him.

“Of course it is!” Allison chirped, smiling up at him as he sauntered towards her. “What brings you over here?”

“Did you take up acting while you were in Iraq?” Jake raised his tone, stopping in front of her. “Because I’ve got to tell you, I’m impressed, I really am.”

“I’m not following you,” she claimed, as her smile disappeared. Her response made his blood boil in his veins. Still, as exhausted and frustrated as he was, he could not even yell at her.

“The pictures, Allie,” he said, his tone firm. “The pictures you sent to Holly.”

“What pictures?” She asked as she squinted at him.

“Look, I’m a little too tired to play games.” He made his voice sound sweeter, as the stiffness of his face vanished. “Did you send her any pictures of us having sex or not?”

“No!” Allison yelled, looking deep into his eyes; “Of course not! What kind of person do you think I am?”

His initial thought was to insist, but the fact that she had maintained eye contact and her tone of outrage were enough to convince him. However, her negative response puzzled him. Now, he had no idea who had sent those pictures to Holly.

“I’d rather not answer that.” Sadness lingered in his voice.

“Please take a moment and think about how absurd this sounds.” She maintained her presentation voice. “I apologize to you for all the crazy things I did in Adams on our flight home, and then I do something so hideous?”

“I had rejected you, Allie.” Jake groaned. “Why shouldn’t you? I mean, it wouldn’t be completely new to you, would it?”

“Okay, I deserve that.” She said, nodding at the same time. “But, I wouldn’t do that to you. What would I have to gain?”

“Then who the hell sent her those pictures?” He resumed his deep, bossy tone, intensifying his stare.

“Oh, God…” She sighed in despair, dropping her gaze from him. “When we got back from Iraq, I discovered my laptop had been stolen. The hotel manager said a couple of teenagers took it. He tried to catch them, but he was unable to do so. I was furious. I threatened to sue the hotel. But then, the strangest thing happened: I was about to check out, when this kid left my laptop case at the reception desk. He left very quickly; I didn’t get a chance to talk to him.”

“So, we’re back to square one.” Jake sighed.

“Not quite.” She rejected that notion, as her eyes sparkled with excitement. “The laptop’s in my car. I’m going to hand it over to the lab rats, see what they can find. Good enough?”

“That would be great.” He gave her an appraising nod. “Thanks.”

“Go get some sleep.” Allison suggested. “You look terrible. The results may take a while. I’ll call you when I have something, okay?”

“I will,” Jake assured her. “Thanks again.”

Her willingness to assist surprised him. Jake would have given up hope, had it not been for her suggestion. Nevertheless, it didn’t take him long to realize that the one behind everything was a military man or at least someone who knew exactly where to find her laptop.

“I wonder if there’s something you’re not telling me, Allie. How many people knew you’d be staying in a hotel in the middle of God’s nowhere? I’m pretty sure it’s someone close to you. You might even consider him a friend. Whatever… I’m not going to ask you. You’ve agreed to help me out. I’ll ruin it if I start asking questions.”