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“He said he had to meet a guy.”

Jase looked down at the slim watch that Gideon had given him and the others to wear. He much preferred his bulkier Luminox watch that could withstand a tidal wave and an earthquake as opposed to this thin, fancy, piece-of-shit watch. But at least it told time.

“We meet up with the others at nineteen hundred hours. Jonas better be done scrounging by then. Which room am I bunking in?” Jase asked.

“We put your stuff in the one with Jonas.” Tanner pointed to the door that led to the connecting room.

“Jase, isn’t the Lieutenant going to lose his mind when he sees where we’re staying? I mean, the Navy’s per diem usually means we’re eating Clif Bars most days.”

Tanner laughed and Mateo rounded on him. “What in the hell is so funny? This is a legitimate question. I know Gideon has money. Real money. But don’t tell me he’s paying for this out of his own pocket.”

“You’re right, Mateo, he isn’t,” Jase chuckled. “Gideon enjoys pulling shit like this. I heard about the first time that he did this to the lieutenant. Kostya about lost his damned mind. He was thinking the same thing. How in the hell was he going to justify the cost of some five-star hotel to Captain Hale and accounting?”

“Gideon did it to Kostya?” Mateo didn’t sound like he believed him.

“He did. But the thing is, with Gideon involved there is always some kind of mistake in the hotel’s billing department, and the final bill always shows for the cheapest room possible with some kind of discount code applied that makes it just under the Navy’s per diem amount. That man is slick with computers. If you’re ever dating a woman and want him to check her out, he can do one hell of a deep dive for you.” Jase looked over at Tanner. “You too, Tanner.”

“Thanks, no. Not to say I’ve always chosen wisely in the past, but I prefer the old-fashioned way of dating. We get to know one another by talking and lying to one another.”

Mateo burst out laughing. “That’s a good one.”

Jase thought about Bonnie and smiled. Damn, it was good to be dating someone who was so forthright. She was definitely a ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of woman, and he admired the hell out of her.

“Hey, Jase, before you grab your shower, pick up the phone and ask for something. The service around here is incredible,” Tanner said.

“What are you talking about?”

“This place comes with twenty-four-seven service. Just pick up the phone and ask for something. Anything.”

Jase rolled his eyes and went to the room phone and picked it up. He didn’t even have to press a button. Somebody immediately started speaking English to him.

“Hello. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”

“This is Jase Drakos. What’s your name?”

“I am Saeed al Zarooni. I will be at your service for your stay here at the Armani Hotel. How may I assist you?”

“Uhm. Can I get a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer?”

“It would be my pleasure to bring you one. Would you like me to bring you more than one so that you have additional beers stocked in your refrigerator?” Saeed asked.

Jase looked at the phone in his hand. This couldn’t be right. Hell, most times in Virginia, he was shit out of luck when he asked for a PBR.

“That would be great, sir.”

“Saeed, sir. My name is Saeed.”

“In that case, I’m Jase.”

“Very good. I will be up with your beer shortly. Would you like me to come to Mr. Robb’s and Mr. Aranda’s room, or should I bring it to yours and Mr. Wulff’s room?”

“Bring it to my room.”

“Very good, sir.”

“Jase,” he reminded the man with a smile.

“Very good, Jase,” he said. “I will be there shortly.”