THIRTY-TWO
Cooper
Logan sat next to me at the bar of a dark and seedy dive in the Bronx. He stared into his beer, not saying a word as he digested everything I’d told him.
“None of it makes sense,” he said.
“You’re telling me. The only thing I’m worried about is getting to Jade.”
“I knew you two would get together,” he said, a familiar smile sliding over his face.
“She’s my life now, bro. Help me get to her.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“No, and that’s why I called in the best.”
“I have an idea, but you won’t like it.”
“What is it?”
“Remember what we did in that hotel in Kabul?”
“Oh no,” I said, shaking my head. “Not that.”
“It’s easy and safe. No one will get hurt. Or they shouldn’t. We pull the fire alarm, everyone comes out of the building, and I bring her to you.”
“You might scare her. And they’re probably watching her.”
“That’s why we get everyone out of that building.”
“She’ll be pissed.”
“It’s the only way. And it’s safe. I’m done with killing people.”
“Alright. Let’s do it. Tonight?”
“I’ve got your back. You know that.”
I lifted my mug into the air. He raised his too. We clinked them together then drank.
With a little luck, I might actually get to Jade to warn her.
* * *
Traffic passed by, clueless, as I waited on the opposite side of the street from Jade’s building, far enough away that the spooks keeping watch wouldn’t be able to see me.
Come on, Logan. You got this.
I shifted from one leg to the other, ready to jump into action when people exited the building. Two blocks away, we had found a place to talk.
All of a sudden, I heard the fire alarm. Dozens of people stormed out of the front door a few minutes later. This is it, I thought as I slipped back into the alley.
I broke into the neighboring abandoned building, the spot we determined was the safest to talk. Anxiously, I stopped and leaned against a wall in a dark corner.
I hated waiting, but it was necessary. My only thoughts were of making sure Jade would be safe. Helping the feds was the least of my worries.
She was my priority plain and simple. Our relationship had sparked quickly. I didn’t want it to extinguish so soon. Not someone like her.
I heard noises outside.
Braced for anything, Jade walked in the lobby with walls covered in graffiti. She rushed over when she saw me. I stepped forward, my arms stretched out.
She ran into them. I hugged her tight, so damn tight.
“Are you okay?” I asked, pulling back, my palms on her cheeks.
“Yeah,” she said, nodding. “A little surprised, but okay.”
“I can’t believe they dragged you into this mess.”
“Jade, I’m involved because I’m part of your life now, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
I kissed her.
“Hurry, you two,” Logan said from the doorway as he peered at the street outside. “I have to get her back before the spooks get spooked.”
“I’ve been researching more,” she said.
“No, you shouldn’t be…”
“Anyway,” she interrupted. “I kept following the money, and it’s scaring me.”
“What do you mean?”
I moved my hands to her waist.
“This smuggling operation made billions. It goes all the way to the top.”
“What do you mean all the way to the top? The President?”
“Okay, maybe not that far, but at least a general or too. Quite a few people got rich off Afghanistan.”
“Be careful.”
“We need to get going,” Logan said. “The clock is ticking.”
“You should just run. Get out of the city,” I grabbed her hands tightly.
“And go where? This is the FBI we’re talking about here. I can’t run from them.”
“They probably let us both out to watch us. We need to be careful.”
“We’re innocent, Cooper. It’ll be okay.”
“If only the world worked that way,” I said.
She stepped back.
“I’ll follow this last lead.”
“Let me come with you. We can do it together,” I suggested.
“No, that would be less safe. Think about it.”
“You’re right,” I said, unable to stop staring at her.
“I’ve been adding to an article as I find more information. This will be the story of my career, Cooper.”
“I believe in you,” I said then kissed her again.
“I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Wait about ten minutes, bro,” Logan said from the door.
“Thanks. I’ll get with you in a few days after things calm down. They have to know something was up tonight.”
“They’re not dumb,” he said.
After they left, I paced back and forth in the dusty lobby of the condemned hotel too shitty for even the poor bastards running amok in the city.
I have to save her.