get a look at the guy, so it would be impossible for me to identify him,” Jonah said.
“That’s too bad,” Malcolm said. “Listen, I won’t be in the office today, but maybe the two of us could have lunch tomorrow. There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Such as?” Jonah prompted.
Malcolm laughed good-naturedly. “I don’t have time to get into it with you right now. We’ll chat over lunch. You pick the place, and I’ll treat.”
“Sounds great, sir.”
Malcolm wished him a good day, which Jonah returned before replacing the phone receiver in its cradle.
“The deputy director just wanted to make sure I was doing okay and invite me to lunch tomorrow,” Jonah said.
Avery scrunched up his nose adorably. “Trexler has a different story to tell. He’s such an asshat.”
“Maybe Trexler was telling the truth, and Malcolm is planning to talk to me about my podcast participation tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” Avery conceded. “Speaking of the podcast, tonight sounds like a big deal.”
“It is,” Jonah replied. They hadn’t rehearsed when they’d have the conversation about the meeting, but this seemed like a natural opening. Felix and Rocky were right about Avery’s intuition, but Jonah didn’t plan to tell them any time soon. Their egos were big enough as it was. “I’m eager to interview this prison guard.”
“What’s his name?”
“I can’t share the information yet,” Jonah said.
“Not even with me?” Avery’s pout was adorable.
“Not even you,” Jonah said. “I can meet you afterward for dinner though. I might have looser lips by then.” Avery’s wicked smile said he knew exactly how to make Jonah talk. “I’m meeting the guard at six and should probably be done in thirty minutes to an hour tops.” There was no need to give Avery the location since Malcolm was tracking his car. He’d just get in position early enough to allow the traitor to arrive and make his move at the destined time.
“Sounds good. I’m picking the movie and the dinner this time,” Avery said. He picked up the notepad and scrawled another message. What are you eating for lunch?
Jonah met Avery’s gaze with a sensual smile before writing his reply. You.
Avery shivered as he responded. My apartment is closer.
Adrenaline and courage seemed like strange bedfellows, but one didn’t work so well without the other. Courage was the decision to do something in the face of grave danger or great sacrifice. Adrenaline triggers the fight instincts and fuels the brain to execute the plan. The two could feed off each other to increase a man’s chance of survival, but too much of either could send him to his death. Jonah strove for the right balance as he pulled into the parking lot of WBM Logistics warehouse on Knowlton Way.
With access to the Port of Savannah nearby, WBM supported some of the largest retailers in the world. The location was isolated enough they wouldn’t have to worry about pedestrian traffic and civilians getting caught up in the crossfire if things went south. There were enough warehouses and freight containers onsite to provide excellent cover for their team.
It had been many years since Jonah had felt this amped up on adrenaline, and he took several deep breaths to slow his racing heart.
“Doing okay?” Felix asked through his earpiece. “Sounds like you’re breathing awfully hard.”
“Exercise to combat the adrenaline,” Jonah replied as he turned into the warehouse parking lot.
“I thought he was practicing heavy breathing to get a job at one of those nine hundred numbers since he tendered his resignation,” Rocky said.
“Do those still exist?” Royce asked.
“I think everything is web-based these days,” Sawyer countered. “Jonah could still rock that though.”
“Thanks,” Jonah said.
“Can we focus, people?” Ellie asked.
“Oh, fuck. I forgot the commish was listening,” Royce said.
“Who happens to be Jonah’s aunt,” she reminded them.
“Sorry,” several male voices said at once, making Ellie and Jonah chuckle.
“I got eyes on Jonah,” Felix said. “So far, everything is working perfectly. No sign of Malcolm or any civilians.”
Rocky and Felix were staked out on opposite corners of the building. Felix saw the front of the building as well as the right side. Rocky’s position allowed him to see the rear and left side, while Ellen, Royce, and Sawyer were hidden inside the warehouse. Each of them was wired for sound. Rocky or Felix would let them know as soon as Malcolm arrived.
“Stay alert,” Jonah said as he parked the car. “I’ve learned from experience that the more perfect a mission seems, the likelier it is to blow up in your face. Literally.