Free Fog of War (Justin Hall # 3) by Ethan Jones Page A

“Yeah, Johnson, what an embarrassment.”
    Justin snorted. “And a threat, a real and serious threat.”
    “What is she up to now?” Carrie asked.
    “It’s not like I keep tabs on her, but I think she’s working as a security consultant. Some private military contractor.”
    “She landed on her feet, eh?”
    “Quite so.” Justin’s voice was full of derision. “She’ll well-connected and apparently is doing quite well for herself. But at least she’s out of our lives.”
    Carrie nodded and slid her seat back, gaining around four more inches of legroom. Justin hit the brakes, as the traffic in front of them slowed to a crawl. There was road construction straight ahead and to their right. They inched their way around heavy machineries, dump trucks, and excavators. Men in brown overalls and yellow helmets were buzzing around a cordoned off stretch of newly minted asphalt.
    “So, what’s this fatwa and bounty?” Carrie asked after taking a sip of her now cold mocha and finishing her muffin.
    “Nothing to worry. Some Egyptian cleric with ties to al-Shabaab believes I’m a threat to their jihad, so he’s calling on all Muslims to kill me. Or so I’ve heard.”
    “Not only Muslims. I know a few people who call themselves Christians, but they would kill for much less than a million dollars.”
    “There’s always someone plotting to kill us. I stopped worrying a long time ago. These guys will have to wait in line.”
    Carrie grinned. “Still, you’ve taken all necessary precautions.”
    “I have. Perhaps even a little more than usual. There’s always someone watching. Especially on US soil.”
    She brushed a lock of loose hair behind her ear. “I thought we were on friendly terms with the CIA.”
    “Define friendly.”
    “Friendly as in ‘we’ll exchange actionable intelligence, which is mutually beneficial.’ And ‘we’ll not screw you over in the process.’”
    “Drop the word ‘not’ from the last sentence.”
    “Even the CIA is out to get us?”
    Justin stepped on the brake pedal and switched lanes. He glanced at the old man driving a slow van in the fast lane. The old man seemed to be enjoying some music, his head swinging at the tune.
    “They’re not out to get us, but they won’t care if we get burned. They only look out for their own.”
    “So why are they sharing their intel with us?” Carrie spread her palms.
    “Because they want something in return.”
    “Yes, the Iranian defector’s documents. McClain briefed me on that operation.”
    Justin steered with his left hand, waving his right one in the air. “Yes, but here’s the thing, we’re were going to give them the intel anyway. Without anything in exchange.”
    “So they’re paying us in advance for something?”
    “Yes. For something they don’t want to do on their own. Something dirty, but which has the potential to come to light, and they don’t want to be anywhere close to it.”
    Carrie nodded. “But you have no idea what it is.”
    “No, but they’ll tell us soon enough.”
    Carrie nodded again, then played with her engagement ring. She was still getting used to its feel around her finger. Thomas had spared no expense when dropping to his knee two months ago. A two-carat diamond in a Tiffany setting adorned her hand, the promise of his never-ending love.
    “Something I said bothers you?” His voice brought Carrie back from her daydreaming.
    “No, just thinking.”
    “When are you seeing him?” Justin pointed at her ring.
    Carrie shrugged. “Just spent a couple of days in London the other week.”
    “Oh, London in September. Lots of fun, I bet,” Justin said with a groan.
    “Thomas was with me, so I tried to have fun.”
    “Did you?”
    “Yeah, I did. We enjoyed each other’s company. I had a good time.”
    “I’m glad to hear that.”
    Lush rolling hills appeared in the distance. Justin glanced at the dashboard. “We’ll be there in ten minutes.”
    “Right on time.” Carrie consulted her