At least not this early in the day.
The fun was just getting started.
Cobb entered the lime-green room with a pitcher of beer and two frosted mugs. Payne was sitting at a table in the far corner. It was the most tactical seat in the place. The wall protected Payne’s back, and he had a clear view of the glass door and the bar beyond. It was the seat Cobb would have chosen if given the choice.
Not that they were worried about an ambush.
To them, these precautions were second nature.
Kind of like breathing.
“I hope you like Reef Donkey,” Cobb said as he walked through the empty room. “The bartender recommended it. Said it’s brewed locally.”
“Is it beer?”
“Yes.”
“Is it cold?”
“Affirmative.”
“Then I’ll like it.”
Cobb smiled. “A man after my own heart.”
He poured two mugs before sitting in the wicker chair across from Payne. From there, Cobb had a clear view out the back and side windows, which meant they could see collectively in every direction.
Although they were no longer in the military, their training was hardwired into their DNA. This was obvious in all aspects of their lives and one of the main reasons why it was so difficult for elite soldiers to transition to the private sector. After years of honor, discipline, and service, the real world was something of a letdown.
Payne knew this better than most.
He had inherited his grandfather’s company — a multinational corporation named Payne Industries — and the fortune that came with it, but quickly found himself bored with the day-to-day minutiae of corporate life. Despite having more money than he could possibly spend in his lifetime, he found himself constantly risking his life in pursuit of adventure. Whether it was searching for a lost throne in Greece, a secret crown in Germany, or a death relic in Mexico, he realized he needed to risk his life to feel alive.
And he assumed Cobb would feel the same.
“So,” Cobb blurted. “What gives? Why are you here?”
“Why?” Payne sipped his beer before leaning back in his chair. “You asked the same question on the phone. My answer hasn’t changed. I’m visiting a friend.”
“Yeah, but why?”
“I need a reason to visit a friend?”
“Under the circumstances, yes.”
“What circumstances are those?”
Cobb growled softly. “You’re such a dick.”
Payne couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you just growl at me?”
“Maybe. But not on purpose.”
Payne laughed again. “Jack, I swear, I’m not being a dick. I’m just trying to gauge your situation. There are tons of rumors flying around, and I’ve probably heard less than half of them. So I truly don’t know what’s going on with you. That’s why I hopped on a plane to Hades to have a beer with you. It’s why my balls are sweating.”
“Your balls are sweating because of me?”
“Just not in the way you’d prefer.”
Cobb cracked a smile. “You’re such an ass.”
“I’ve been called worse. In fact, someone just called me a dick a minute ago.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to attack you. But my anger is working overtime at the moment. It’s been a tough week.”
“In what way?”
Cobb pondered the question as he sipped his beer. “During the past few days, I’ve felt like I had the plague. Everywhere I went, people slammed doors on me. Literally slammed doors in my face. Some of my oldest contacts even shut me out. I’m not sure what I expected when I flew down here, but I sure as shit didn’t expect this.”
“Come on, Jack. We both know it’s for show.”
“What is?”
“Their reaction! Do you really think your friends are going to bail on you over some trumped up charges that no one is allowed to read? Not a chance in Hell!” Payne glanced through the window at the scorching terrain. “Actually, given our current location, I didn’t need to say Hell. That’s already implied.”
“Hold on. I’m confused.”
“Really? I thought it was obvious. It’s really hot down here, so—”
“Not about that! I’m confused about the first part. The reaction part.”
“Come on, Jack. You’re a smart guy. A heck of a lot smarter than I am. You had to know what was going to happen when you went to MacDill. Did you really think they were going to let you on the base?”
“I had my doubts, but—”
“Then why’d you go?”
“I had to know for sure.”
“And now you know. The military is done with you. It’s no longer an option. The sooner you wrap your head around that, the better.”
Cobb nodded but said nothing.
“That said, your friends aren’t done with you. Even the ones who slammed a door in your face are still in your corner.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Jack, trust me, they have your back. So much so, I’m kind of jealous.”
Cobb stared at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you know how many calls I received from MacDill over the past few days? Forty-eight! Forty-eight calls about your sorry ass.” Payne changed his voice to a sarcastic tone. “Oh my God, we’re soooo worried about Jack…. Our hands are tied, but we want to help Jack…. Help me, Jonathon. You’re my only hope.”
“No, they didn’t.”
“Yes, they did,” Payne assured him. “Well, maybe not that last one. I think I got that from Star Wars. But all the other ones are accurate. And if you don’t believe me, call my secretary. She’s the one who took all the calls.”
Cobb breathed deeply, relieved to hear the news.
Maybe things weren’t as bad as they seemed.
Payne grinned as he sipped his beer. “Truth be told, she’s the only reason I’m down here. She was so sick of hearing your name, she forced me get on a plane to stop their whining. As you know, I don’t give a damn about you or our friendship.”
“Obviously.”
“I’m merely here to keep her happy. She’s been with Payne Industries for more than fifty years and runs a tight ship. Without her, the company would fold overnight.”
“In that case,” Cobb said as he raised his mug, “here’s to your secretary. It’s good to have someone you can count on in your time of need.”
Payne lifted his mug. “Don’t I know it.”
“Seriously,” Cobb said as he lowered his mug. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but your visit means the world to me. Thanks for taking the time to fly down here. It means more than you can possibly imagine.”
“No worries, man. You’d do the same for me.”
Cobb shrugged. “Actually, I’m not sure I would. I mean, I don’t have a secretary to guilt me into it, or pack for me, or make my flight arrangements. Honestly, I’d probably just send you a text with a sad emoji and that’s about it.”
Payne grinned. “Now who’s being a dick?”
“Sorry,” Cobb said with a laugh. “Things were getting a little too serious. I wanted to cool things off before you went in for the kiss.”
“Don’t worry, Jack. You aren’t my type.”
“Speaking of your type, where’s DJ?”
Payne glanced at his phone. “That’s a very good question.”
Chapter 4
David Jones was easily distracted, particularly on a tropical beach with dozens of sunbathing beauties in bikinis. As much as he loved the city of Pittsburgh, he would be the first to admit it lacked the scenery of Florida.