Before I could answer, Jay said, “What? I was hungry.”
“You’re always hungry,” she said before sitting back down.
These two were textbook opposites.
Cate’s desk was neat and tidy and color-fucking-coded.
Jay’s was chaotic, and the muffin wrappers hadn’t made it into the trash yet.
Cate’s red hair was pulled back in a military-style bun.
Jay’s wavy brown hair was longer than traditionally military-approved, but typical for a Spec Ops operator.
Cate’s pressed black slacks and blazer were better suited to the FBI office than the SSI office.
Jay wore his typical attire: cargo pants and a T-shirt.
“You have an assignment for me?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’m sending you to Dallas to provide protection for a family while they’re in town.”
Sending me out of town?Subtlety wasn’t Jay’s strong suit.
“Known threats?”
“Nothing credible, but Mr. Ramos thinks someone’s been trailing him and he’s worried about his wife and daughter.”
“Twenty-four-seven?” I asked.
He nodded and handed me a folder. “You’ll be staying in the room next door and be responsible for escorting them from the time their plane lands, later this afternoon, until they board their return flight.”
“Private jet?”
He nodded again.
I lifted the file. “Your thoughts?”
“He’s paranoid, but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong.”
“He’s a pitcher for the Dallas Stars, and known to be hot-headed,” Cate added.
“Pedro Ramos?”
The up-and-coming pitcher was expected to break records but liked to start fights, sometimes with his own teammates.
“Yes. He’s asked you to dress casual, so plain polo or button-up and jeans.”
“Got it. If that’s all, I’ll go read the file and get ready.”
“That’s all.”
As I was leaving, I heard Cate praise him for not bringing up Madi. Thankfully, Jay couldn’t see my grin.
“Thanks, Snookems,” Jay said behind my back. He and Cate might be polar opposites, but they were perfect for each other.
“Don’t call-” I closed the door, cutting off Cate’s protests.
“Thanks for the coffee, bro,” Nathan said as I walked into the office we shared. Like Jay and Cate’s office, we had two desks and two lockers. Nathan occupied the right half of the room, leaving me the left half.
