Rebel (The United Federation Marine Corps) by Jonathan P. Brazee Page B

to it.
    “Over there, at your eleven o’clock,” she whispered to Tamara, when she finally spotted a likely target.
    “Eleven freakin’ what?”
    Eleven o’clock. Like in the flicks.  Twelve is right in front of us.  Eleven is ahead and just to the left.  Over there, across the street.”
    “Why didn’t you just say that instead of going Hollywood on me,” Tamara grumbled.  Then, “Ah, I see what you mean.  Mr. Jack seems interested in us.”
    “Mr. Jack” was a thirty-something, lower-level security specialist, based on the patch on his shoulder.  He was a little old for his rank, and Michi saw something in his eyes as he took in the two women that made her positive he was the type to throw around what little authority he possessed.
    Tamara immediately started crossing the street, and Michi had to hurry to catch up.  The jack’s eyes lit up as the two walked up to him. 
    “And what are you two ladies doing out and about this fine evening?” he asked them as Michi could feel his gaze peeling off their cozies as he openly looked them up and down.
    “Nothing, sir,” Tamara said.  “Just out for some fun.  Crunching actuarial numbers all day is so boring, and we need a little excitement.”
    With a number of insurance firms downtown, that little comment could throw suspicion in that direction, if it came to that.  Michi had to give her roommate props.  Michi hadn’t even thought to come up with a backstory.
    “Excitement?  Plenty of places for that, ladies.  The Gut, though, can be a little rough for office girls.”
    “Oh, me and Stacy like it rough,” Tamara said with a throaty laugh.  “Maybe you know someplace, though, where we can go to find something exciting?”
    “Maybe I do and maybe I don’t,” he said with a laugh. 
    “Oh, you security guys are supposed to know all the naughty places, right?  Where things happen?  Maybe one where we could go but that’s not, too, well, dangerous?”
    The jack was eyeing both of them.  Michi wondered if she should have unzipped her cozy a little, but doing that now would be too blatant.  They had to tease this fish before setting the hook.
    Michi was glad Tamara was the one doing the talking.  This wasn’t her style.  Michi would rather have simply called out the man and gone at it.  Finesse was not something she had in her bag of tricks.
    “What about her?” the man asked Tamara, pointing at Michi.
    “Oh, she’s a quiet one, she is, out in public, but get her behind closed doors, she’s a tiger,” Tamara told him.
    “Well, can you help us?  Where should we go?  But remember, we want it naughty, but not where we’re going to get in any trouble.  You know how the insurance companies are about moral standing.”
    The jack seemed to be considering it for a moment before making up his mind.  He got on his radio and said, “Helmon, I’m taking my 30 now.  You’ve got it.”
    He turned to Tamara and said, “Yeah, I know.  I run this section,” which Michi knew was a gross exaggeration, “so I know all the places. But two ladies like you can get into trouble getting there, so I’m going to escort you there and let them know you’re under my protection, OK?”
    Hook set.
    “Oh, you’d do that?” Tamara asked excitedly.  “Stacy, you hear that?  I told you this would be sparking!
    “Lead on my knight,” she said, taking the jack by his arm.  “I’m so excited.”
    “You excited too?” the jack asked Michi over his shoulder.
    You don’t know how much , she thought.
    Michi didn’t know what the jack had planned.  It was doubtful that he would have actually led the two into danger, and 30 minutes wasn’t much time for anything.  He probably wanted to impress them with his importance and then set up something after he was off duty.  It didn’t matter.  The guy was slimy, and Michi felt her endorphins kick in.
    The jack led the two down Julian Street, which was far too open for Michi to strike.  She