Page 72 of After 5
His cell laid face up on the table and vibrated without a ring tone. A name flashed across the screen. He grabbed it before I could make out the name, but I thought it read Angie. The mystery girlfriend. He pocketed the phone and glanced around the room.
“Where’s Marco?”
“He had to take a time out,” Gerry said.
Moments later, Marco entered the room and sat down next to Tina.
“Good, we’re all here,” Jake said. “Almost time.”
I ignored Marco’s brooding and focused my energy on Jake. I only had a few minutes before he would be chin deep in his work.
“I need to talk to you about—”
“Here we go people,” Jake said interrupting me. “Brodie, looks like Rogue’s jumped to Philadelphia 1776.” He slid a file across the table to Brodie.
“I’m on it.” Brodie took the file and stood to leave for the research room.
“Ace, you’re transporting for Brodie.”
Ace flicked his wrist in the air. “Don’t make me wait long, Brodie baby, I’ve got dinner plans.”
“Cancel them,” Jake huffed.
Brodie sauntered out of the room.
Jake turned toward Gerry. “Gerald, the Cracky Clan didn’t split up as originally anticipated, but they did jump to Wessex as planned. Make sure you don’t swear. Campy, you’ll go with him. He’ll need the help. Tina will transport.”
“I’ve already studied our destination,” Gerald said.
“Good. Bring Campy up to speed and report to the travel lab for landing coordinates.”
Gerry clamped Campy on the shoulder in one of those let’s be buds and exchange man cards moves. “C’mon kid, I’ll fill you in on all the hotspots of ninth century moral turpitude.”
Campy scooted back his chair and stood to leave with Gerry.
Marco fidgeted in his chair. He’d been silent during the assignments. His eyes stayed focused on his cell phone as Jake finished handing out the missions.
“Jen, you’ll be transporting for Campy.”
“But why can’t Tina transport for him?” I did a mental foot stomp.
“I’ll summon you if I need you,” Campy said, then followed Gerry from the room.
“That’s crap, you gave me this assignment to hold me here. You know I won’t leave Campy without back up.” I scowled at Jake.
“It’s an insurance policy.”
I huffed.
“Yes, I do know you, Jennifer Cloud. If I leave you to float, in case a defender needs you, you’ll be tackling the bride before she walks down the aisle. If this is what McGregor wants, then you should let it go.”
Marco’s head lifted to observe my response.
I slammed back in my chair, crossed my arms over my chest, and huffed with a force that caused my bangs to shoot upwards.
Jake continued reading the reports scrolling across his laptop. “None of the Mafusos have jumped. Marco, stay on base in case they do.” Jake shifted his gaze to Ace. “You, too. Even if Brodie doesn’t need you. That’s an order from the general.”
Ace gave me a cocky smirk. Wise-ass, but he was right. Jake had pulled out all the stops. I wasn’t going to the wedding.
