Terms (The Experiments Book 3) by Jacqueline Druga

Captain?’
    Murphy choked a chuckle out, “Sir?”
    “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m just distracted. As soon as I get the call …” Jake perked when he saw the light blinking on his phone. “One moment.” He lifted the receiver. “Adams, tell me it’s them.”
    “No Sir, it’s your wife.”
    Jake breathed out. “I’ll talk to her.” He lifted a finger to Murphy and the pressed a button. “Cal, what’s up?”
    “Any news yet?” she asked.
    “Cal Sweetie, we have be patient. I’m not sitting here worrying, am I?”
    “So then you think Rickie will pass the clearance?” Cal asked.
    “Absolutely not, no.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Cal, please, I am certain that there is something in Rickie’s background that will pop up and prohibit him from being able to attend a function at the Whitehouse. Positive.”
    “Wishful thinking.” Cal said.
    “Probably yes, but I’m right about this one,” Jake replied. “And as soon as I finish up here, I’ll be home to see you.”
    “When?” Cal asked.
    “I haven’t a clue.”
    “Guess.”
    “Why is this important?” Jake asked.
    “I just ... I don’t know. Can we go out to lunch? I’m really in the mood for Pizza Hut.”
    “Lunch sounds great,” Jake said. “But I’m thinking something a little more healthier might be …. Hello?” Jake pulled the receiver from his ear and looked down. The light was out. “Fuck. She hung up.”
    Murphy tried not to laugh.
    “Anyhow,” Jake continued. “Thursday wouldn’t be a bad idea …” He saw the light blink again. “Adams,” he said as he lifted the phone. “Them?” Jake nodded with a smile. “Yes. Please put them through.” He paused. “This is Lt. Col. Graison, how can I help you?” Jake listened, and then his expression dropped. “You have to be shitting me. Really.” He huffed out. “Thank you.” Giving another signal to Murphy to hang tight, Jake pressed the direct line to Adams. “Adams, can you call my wife and tell her Rickie passed the background check. Thanks.” Just as Jake as about to hang up, he stopped. “When? Ok. Tell Col Roberts I’ll be right there?”
    He hung up.
    “Have to go?” Murphy asked.
    “Yep. CO calls. You run.” Jake gathered his papers. “Let’s set the meeting for Thursday 1:00 PM. Tell Adams to schedule it in. Thanks.” Jake stood.
    Murphy stood and snapped an attention.
    Jake nodded, shook his hand, and excused himself from the office.
    He let Adams know he was leaving, and made his way to Colonel Roberts office. The secretary let him right in, and Jake gave a single knock waiting for acknowledgement before entering the CO’s office.
    “Jake,” Col. Roberts smiled. “Come in, come in.”
    “Sir,” Jake snapped attention.
    “At ease. Sit.” He motioned his hand to a chair.
    “Thank you.” Jake took a seat. “My secretary said you wanted to see me?”
    “Yes, and Jake, this is not business, so really at ease OK?”
    “Yes.”
    “I heard that you are taking Rickie with you to the White house.”
    Jake winced ‘Um, yes. Yes, Sir I am. I would love to take my wife. But unfortunately she will be away.”
    “On a pregnancy research study. A resort of sorts.”
    Jake nodded once. “How did you know?”
    “My wife, Annabel ran into Cal at Wal-Mart.”
    “You’re shitting me? Son of a bitch.” Jake gave a twitch of his head in disgust.
    “Problem with her running into my wife?”
    “Not running into your wife, Sir. Running into your wife at Wal-Mart.”
    “Lots of Wives shop at Wal-Mart son.”
    “I have asked my wife if she must, then she do it in the middle of the night, Sir. I hate that store.” Jake said.
    “She leaves tomorrow, correct?” Col Roberts asked.
    “That is correct.”
    “Now, she would be doing this study because … she is pregnant?”
    “Considering it is a pregnancy study, I would say that is an accurate observation, yes, Sir.”
    “Jake,” Col. Roberts wisped out. “Is there a reason you haven’t let this