The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison: Call Sign Reaper Read Online Free PDF Page B

board would help bring him over. He didn’t think about it too long. She hoped he was serious. “Tell me what they are and if it’s within my power I will answer you right now. If it’s not I will forward them to General Grey and he will make the decision.”
    “First, I want to remain a civilian. I have already had my honor taken from me, at least on paper. I will not put myself in a position to be betrayed again. My destiny will be my own,” he explained. “I will draft a contract outlining rank, pay, position and, if I don’t like working for you I can walk away. There will be more to the contract but you get the idea, don’t you major?” he said, looking her straight in the eyes. She was the first to look away. She felt the good feeling slipping away.
    “How much time do I have to put this together?” he asked.
    Not wanting to give him too much time, she answered, “I would like your answer Monday morning.”
    I need more time , he thought. “Monday evening, close of business. We will meet right here.”
    “Done.” That would give her time on Monday to talk to the general about this civilian in the ranks proposition. She didn’t think she would want this with a clause allowing him to walk away or that the general would, but she would try to keep an open mind.
    “You said you had two conditions. What’s your second one?” she asked.
      Here it comes , she thought. He’ll want his own quarters equal to a captain’s or a steak every day with dessert or some craziness like that. Ben was looking at her. He could see the wheels turning in her head as they sat silently.
    “Andrea.” Using her name, he caught her off guard. “Condition number two is that you spend the day with me tomorrow, and you can’t back out.” He smiled as he looked at her face. He lifted his hand from his lap and reached across the table, putting it under her chin and lifting it, closing her mouth. “I believe this is a condition which you can answer without the aid of the general.”
    He can’t be serious, she thought. He’s asking me on a date?
    Ben continued. “You have until 0800 tomorrow to message me with your answer. I will be at the Vander Hoyts’. If the answer is yes I will see you by 0900. By the way, you look beautiful today —but dress casual tomorrow.” Smiling, he got up and left. She slid to the end of the booth and leaned out to watch him walk away in his cutoffs and sandals.
    “He has a nice ass,” Cindy said, walking past.
    “He sure does,” she said, smiling.
    Ben ran up the back steps two at a time and got his laundry. He locked the apartment door and headed down the dirt road into farm country. The major’s men saw their cue and got up to pay their tab and wait in the car for her.
    “Were the customers any help?” Cindy asked them.
    “They were very helpful,” Bill said as he took his change and handed Cindy a tip.
    “Thanks,” she said. “Come back anytime you’re in the area.”
    “Thank you!” Bill said. “We may be seeing you again soon.”
    Matt was already out by the car. Bill looked over at the major before walking out; she was staring at the vacant seat where Ben had been sitting. It looked like she was trying to work something out in her mind but wasn’t having any luck. He knew something wasn’t right. She was never confused about anything.
    Ben hadn’t walked half a mile when he heard a hover car coming from behind him. He stepped off the road and turned to see the sheriff’s hover car pull up and drop down to about a foot off the ground.
    He put down the window. “Your name Ben?”
    “Yes sir that’s me. I suppose you want to talk about the fight at Gus’s last night?”
    “Yes I do son, can I give you a lift?” the sheriff answered.
    “Sure, can you drop me off at the Vander Hoyts’?”
    “No problem,” the sheriff said
    Ben got in the hover car. The sheriff asked him to recount what happened and said would stop him if he needed clarification of the facts.