Their Sin City Showgirl (The American Soldier Collection 7)

“She’s tough and very smart. We’re all getting along really well,” he added, just to say it.

“Well, give her my best, and don’t tell her about all this other stuff, like the break-in or the info on the murders and drug deal. She has enough to think about,” Frank stated.

Conway immediately felt uneasy about Frank’s remark.

“We told her that we would help her. That’s what we plan on doing. The congressman’s life is about to get a bit more unstable. Just keep calm. Do your job, and Sandman will be in touch if more is needed.”

“Okay. I guess we really don’t have any other options. Please, Conway. Keep J.J. safe. She’s very important to me.”

“He will. I’ll be in touch,” Sandman stated and then disconnected the call.

Conway leaned back in his chair and locked gazes with Calder.

“What do you think?” he asked him.

“There is or was something between them? J.J. and Frank, I mean. What do you think it?” Calder asked, as he leaned forward in his chair. He was wearing his camo pants and a black T-shirt.

“I’m not certain, but I think we should find out. Why don’t you do your thing and start investigating Commander Frank Reynolds. Find out what you can and keep me posted.”

“And what are you going to be doing?”

Conway turned around in his seat and started typing on the computer’s keyboard.

“I am going to begin phase one of our plan. Let’s see how the congressman feels about cyber harassment and losing some of his income to people who really need it.”

“What are you going to do? Withdraw money from his account and transfer it to a secret account?”

“Nope. Out of the kindness of his heart, the congressman is going to donate a nice sum of money to each of the surviving families of the victims he killed. Simultaneously all his electronic devices will get an instant message that will broadcast to every single one of his contacts both public and personal.”

“What is the message going to say?” Calder asked with a smirk.

“Oh. Something clever.”

“How about give yourself up, you fucking loser?” Calder stated.

Conway chuckled.

“I think in this case, less is more. How about we start off with ‘the truth will be revealed’? And then move on to listing the names of the victims under ‘justice will be served’?”

“You better make sure this can’t be tracked. I mean, even after we get this fucker behind bars and ensure that J.J. is safe. We don’t need some bullshit charges against us,” Calder stated.

“Calder, give me a break. I’m the chief of police. What the fuck do I know about computer hacking? Everyone in the office thinks I’m computer illiterate. That’s more than twenty witnesses that prove I’m incapable of such things. Don’t worry. You taught me well,” Conway said and then typed away on the keyboard.

Calder chuckled.

“Phase one has officially commenced.”

Chapter 8

J.J. and Brook were in his workshop. Brook was showing her some of the pieces he was working on and the different designs he planned on creating. As he worked on a new piece he was almost finished with, she looked it over. It was a gorgeous Texas mesquite cabinet, with multiple doors and an open area with crisscross wood that could hold about twenty-four wine bottles. The design on the top of the cabinet, in its rich mesquite and red cedar, caused streaks of unique patterns that were eye-catching and beautiful.

“I bet every piece that you make is different? The natural lines that the oils bring out are so bold and beautiful. You bring it to life,” she whispered as he showed her how he glossed over the top of the wood after choosing the stain of his choice. The wood went from dull, but still beautiful, to absolutely gorgeous. She was impressed.

And as Brook explained more about his craft, she absorbed more of his work.

“Do you sell the things you make?” she asked. When she turned to look at him, he was running his large hands back and forth over the top of the wood as if checking for imperfections. He an

swered her. Something about a store in town and one in the city, but she was too busy staring at him. His eyes were focused on the wood and the direction his palms were going as he inspected it. The muscles in his forearms shifted and expanded with every stroke. Why she suddenly wished she were the piece of wood, she didn’t know. But she did. She wanted his big, strong hands on her, stroking her, touching her, and bringing her that closeness and release she craved.