Desperate Situations (9 page)

"Describe him."

Jake did and the circumstances when he saw the guy. "My instincts are telling me something's wrong."

"Cupcake, I can't go to Fahim with a gut feeling. I have to have more to go on."

"Yeah." Jake looked down at his hands. "I know."

"What else?" Megan asked.

Jake glanced up. Her brown eyes seemed to be trying to read his soul. This neutral expression was even attractive, better than her angry face, which in a weird way was sexy too. "Okay. This is going to sound weird."

"Coming from you?" Megan said with a smile to ease the tension.

"I know him."

"What?" The surprise was genuine.

"Yeah. Twice I've made eye contact with this turbaned guy and, so help me God, I know him."

"How can that be?"

Jake shrugged. "I've thought about every man on base but…"

Megan rubbed her fingers on her lips. She finally shook her head. "Just keep your eyes open. Next time you see him, point him out to someone else. Maybe if more than one of us see him, we'll be able to ID him."

Jake nodded. "So, are you coming to the game?"

"Pass. I've got work to do."

"Chief, you need to rest too."

"There's no rest for those in charge, Cupcake."

"Are you at least coming to the big feast tomorrow night at Masood's house?"

"Yeah. I've got to go to that one."

"Good." Jake paused then frowned again.

"Look Cupcake, put this guy out of your mind. I'm sure it was nothing. After all, this isn't Iraq. Not everyone is the enemy." Megan's finger played with the edge of her shirt.

Jake studied her. This was odd. Her attitude completely changed. She was almost nervous. Finally, he nodded. He would never understand women.

***

Megan stood in the living room of Masood's house talking with a pilot from another crew. It was a modest home, small and middle class compared to homes in the United States, but in Afghanistan it was considered upper class.

The meal had been spectacular. Since most crew members were new to the country, it allowed them to experience the splendid flavors of local food. Even Megan was impressed. As always, her two favorites were served. The first was mutton kebab with raw onions covered with a very spicy sauce. The second was pilau, a dish consisting of rice with raisin, carrots and lamb. It was a hard choice between the two for her.

She glanced around and saw Jake complimenting Masood on the feast. Jake met her eyes across the room then moved with a smile toward her. Megan swallowed nervously.
Damn, he's good looking.
She could just imagine how it would feel to be pulled into him and held against his naked chest. His muscles rippling as he embraced her, his hands gently stroking her arms or caressing her breasts with his strong hands. Her mind flashed back to the hug on the roof and she could feel herself warming in places she shouldn't be, especially since it was in connection with a member of her crew.

"There you are," Jake said. He nodded at the other pilot who left Megan's side in search of more food.

"Yeah. What did you need?"

Jake gave her a smirk. "Knock it off, Chief. This is a social event. Make nice."

Megan chuckled but inside she was sweating harder than ever. Whenever he stood next to her, she felt like she was having hot flashes.
What is this about?
She hadn't felt this way since her first crush at the age of eight. She looked at her watch again. It was after prayers, yet not quite dark. From prior experience, she knew it was best to be back at base long before it got dark.

"Got a date?" Jake asked with a smile.

"Funny." Megan glanced around. "I need to be heading back to base."

"Why? Masood said he'd escort us all back in about an hour. That's still way before curfew."

"For you," she said slightly annoyed. She hated this part of Afghanistan and Muslim society. "I'm a woman. Different rules."

Jake nodded in understanding. "You came with Kelly, but he's still eating
―"

"Damn," Megan said softly almost under her breath. She usually had a male escort anytime off base. It was not only safer, it was Muslim law.

"I'll walk you back."

Megan didn't answer him right away, but just studied his face.

Jake held up his hands in surrender. "Seriously, I don't want you walking back alone. I figured that was policy anyway. I'm done here. Sometimes spicy food does me in."

Megan glanced again at her watch. She really didn't want to be alone with McGrew unless it was work related. It was a test she wasn't sure she could pass. "I guess."

"That was a resounding testament to my ability to keep you safe," Jake said jokingly. He moved with Megan to Masood's side.

"Fahim, I'd better be getting back."

The head of the base looked shocked then glanced at his watch. He nodded then looked around for Cowboy.

"McGrew offered to escort me. Thank your wife again for me."

"She loved the scarf you gave her, Megan. She says thank you. And the loaves of bread were much appreciated." Fahim gave her a little bow. Under their religion, it was wrong for a man to touch a woman that he was not related too. Then he turned to Jake. "The bag of candy for the children will delight them to no end. Thank you." He gave Jake an embrace.

Jake nodded after the greeting. "Tell them not to eat it all at once. It'll make their teeth rot." Both men chuckled.

Megan pulled a dark green scarf out of her back pocket and waved at Cowboy who was sitting on the toshak mats and pillows which serve as couches in many Afghanistan homes. He nodded back, his mouth full of food. With a wink, he did a little head bob to McGrew, and his grin got wider. Megan shot him a dirty look, then turned toward the door. Jake followed her. She wrapped the scarf around her head and tucked the ends over her shoulders. They walked quietly for several blocks.

"So, how do you feel wearing the head scarf?"

Megan shrugged. "I've gotten used to it." She had barely gotten the words out of her mouth when several street kids appeared from nowhere. They were almost hanging on Jake, hands outstretched, calling out to him.

Jake smiled as he patted one on the head. "You've been here before, son. You've got at least four pieces of candy."

The boy smiled even bigger having been singled out by this foreigner.

Jake reached into his pockets and brought out the ever present candy. He held it out of their reach. Their voices clamored around him. "Do you know what they're saying?" Jake asked Megan as she stood off to the side with a smile, watching all.

Megan chuckled. "Your name is Sweet Candy Man. You're getting quite a reputation."

Jake chuckled as he handed candy to the kids. One piece per kid. They begged for more. Jake shook his head with a smile. "No more." He held out his hand in an obvious way that he was not dispensing more candy.

Megan lowered her voice and spoke softly to the kids. Quickly the kids scattered just as fast as they appeared. Several threw words over their shoulders to Jake. It was obvious they were thanking him.

Jake looked at Megan and saw the sexy smile she was giving him, which was quickly wiped off her face. "I didn't know you spoke the language. Which one was that?"

"Pashtu."

"Do you speak the other one too?"

"You mean Dari?" Megan watched as Jake nodded. "A little."

"So, how many times has our illustrious Chief been here in Afghanistan?"

"This is my forth rotation."

"And Iraq?"

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Conversation."

"Five in Iraq."

"Which do you like better?"

"Why the twenty questions, Cupcake?"

Again Jake shrugged. "I like to know the people I work with."

Megan brooded for a few seconds thinking about both countries. "Neither."

"Then
…"

"Why do I come here?" Megan answered with a smile. She glanced around and saw several men walking toward them. She lowered her head, pulled her scarf closer, and wiped the smile off her face, all at the same time.

The men gave rude glances at the two, especially Megan, but they said nothing. Both glared at Jake and their conversation halted until they were a couple steps past the two foreigners. Then one spoke over his shoulder.

Jake glanced behind then turned an angry, puzzled look at Megan. "Do you know what he just said? If I had to guess, I'd say it was an insult."

Megan quickly glanced up to see who was around. "Yeah. He insulted me. Something about a daughter of a foreign pig, and a few other nasty things."

Jake's face got even darker and he turned to look back at them,
now over a block away.

"Ignore them. They're fundamentalists. It's better to take the insult and get away,
than the beating. Luckily, it's still light." Megan gave a slight grin. Megan could hear him take a deep breath to release anger that was visible on his face.

"The voice of experience?"

Megan hesitated then nodded. "On my first rotation here. I, uh, I spoke too loudly in the market. A man belonging to the same group was there. Before I could even think, I'd been hit many times." Megan shuddered but stopped speaking.

"So, you were saying? Before they interrupted us."

"Why do I come here? The money."

"But what if you crash in the mountains and
… I can only imagine how backwards the mountain people are. Okay, backward isn't really the word I meant, but you know what I mean."

"It's the risk I take." She shrugged. "Why did you join up with White Pine?"

Jake seemed to be thinking hard. He stuck his hands in his pockets as he walked. "I guess the same reason. Money. A couple of years doing this and I can retire to do whatever I want, not just a job." The question bothered him.
Why did I sign up?
Something was nagging at him as he thought about it.

They walked in silence for a few minutes. Finally, they could see the compound ahead. Megan slowed. It was nice to walk with him when she wasn't his boss or needing to establish authority over him.

"What's wrong?" Jake asked, instinctively slowing with her. Out of habit, he glanced around the area for intruders or anything amiss.

"I don't get off the base much, except on missions when I'm flying. This is nice." Her voice was softer
than normal.

Jake smiled and stopped. He waited until she stopped and look
ed at him. "Me too."

"Me too what?"

"I enjoyed the walk."

Megan made a funny face at his wry smile. "Shut up."

"Seriously, Chief. I had a good time." He motioned her through the main gate and they both greeted the security guard, then walked toward the crew's barracks.

A man dressed in khaki shorts and shirt stepped out of the main office building across the compound area. He stood looking at them. It was enough to get their attention.

Megan paused as she swept the headscarf back down onto her shoulders. "Damn."

"What?" Jake asked as he followed her gaze. "Who is he?"

"Someone I need to see. We probably have a new mission first thing in the morning. See you bright and early. Seven o'clock. Post a note for the rest of the crew." She looked Jake in the eyes. A small smile curved her lips. "Thanks for the escort." With that, she walked with a quick stride to the man.

As she entered the building behind the mysterious man, Megan glanced back. Jake was still watching her, his hair highlighted
by the beginning of the sunset.
Damn, he looked good.

***

The next morning, the entire crew was gathered in the briefing room, except Megan. As with most missions, she was first in and last out. She definitely worked harder than the guys.

Cowboy leaned back
, laughing with Gunner about the day before. The others had been invited to join a 'football' game with the locals. It had been a good game of soccer with the local team trouncing White Pine. And even though they knew they were going to be beat, it fostered good relations, so it was 'strongly suggested' that everyone play.

Jake glanced at his watch again. Fisher was retelling the way Jake surprised the locals with his footwork and how he had stolen the ball from their best player, only to have it re-stolen from him and the Afghan score
d a point. He smiled at Fisher's rendition of the action.

Glancing at the doorway again, Jake caught Cowboy's glance too. "Kelly, where's the Chief?" Lately, Megan had been meeting him five minutes before the crew meetings to 'teach him' and let him see the pre-mission paperwork. But today there'd been a note in the crew chief box to just show up with the rest of the crew.
Odd.

Cowboy gave him a slight smile. "Just wait."