Jennifer was asleep in the passenger seat when Jack slid into the back of the rented sedan. "Been here all night?" He handed an insulated coffee cup between the seats to a grateful Daniel.
"Yep, thanks." Daniel flipped the lid off the coffee so he could enjoy the smell while he took a first gulp. "This is really good."
"Luckily for you there's an open fancy coffee shop on every corner here."
"We've got plenty of coffee shops in Colorado too, but somehow this cup seems so much better."
"Because you are an addict that has been deprived for more than an hour?"
Jennifer jerked awake. "General?"
"Good morning Lieutenant." Jack handed another coffee up front. "Afraid I don't know your order by heart so I got you the same froufrou stuff I got Daniel."
"Thank you, sir."
"Ha ha. My coffee isn't froufrou." Daniel sat up straighter. "Door's opening."
Jack checked his watch. It was just after 0530. Sam stepped out wearing yoga pants, a short sleeve t-shirt, and running shoes. She pulled her right heel up towards her rear and stretched then switched sides. As she took off running a man rounded the corner and caught up with her. He was close to Sam's age, about an inch taller than her, and very fit. His running clothes were ridiculous. Jack preferred sweats and a t-shirt not the microfiber super wicking nonsense this guy was wearing. He slowed when he caught up with Sam, acting like he just happened to run into her. She gave him a polite smile as he matched her pace and started talking to her.
"Do you want to follow them?"
Jack shook his head. "Not in the car, there's too much chance we'd be seen."
"I look like I could be out for a jog." Jennifer sat her coffee in the cup holder. "I'll keep my distance and honestly I need to get out of this car and move around." She was gone before either man could protest, not that either had intended to do so.
Sam returned forty-five minutes later; her friend stopped for a brief chat before continuing down the street. After Sam went back into the apartment building Jennifer came around the corner and got back in the car. "I needed that."
"Anything unusual about the run?"
Jennifer took a drink of the now cooled coffee and grimaced. "I didn't get the feeling she actually liked the guy running with her. She gave him the same looks I've seen her give Dr. Felger."
Jack flopped back against the backseat, feeling a little better about Mr. fancy running pants. "Poor him."
"Other than that, it seemed like a normal run to me. She wasn't pushing it but she didn't go easy on him either."
Jack opened the back door of the car. "I'm gonna follow him. You guys stick with Carter, but not too close."
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Daniel grabbed the phone on the second ring. He wasn't surprised to hear Jack's voice. "You got anything?"
"She went from her apartment to Modern Aerodynamics, and she hasn't come out since. How about you?"
"He went into a nondescript building. I sent his picture and the building address to Barrett. He called back a few minutes ago. He found bupkiss which means this guy's identity has been wiped."
"And that means?"
"That means he's part of whatever is going on here. I'm gonna stay on him. I think it's safe to assume Carter will stay at work. Why don't you two go get something to eat and rent a couple hotel rooms. Get some sleep and go back a little before quitting time."
"A shower sounds perfect. I'll let you know where we get rooms in case you want a nap."
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They met again in the parking lot outside Sam's apartment. Jennifer and Daniel were rested and smelling clean, but Jack lacked both of those traits. Daniel's nose wrinkled as Jack laid his head against the headrest. Daniel leaned to the side and pulled the hotel keycard from his pocket. He held it up. "Room 214."
"What are you saying Daniel?"
"I'm saying the car smelled better before you got in."
Jack lifted one arm, turned his head, and sniffed. "I don't know what you mean. I'm like a summer garden."
"Maybe after it rotted."
Jennifer couldn't help but giggle at their antics.
"Does that mean you have an opinion Lieutenant?"
Jennifer swiped the smirk off her face. "I would never voice an opinion about your body odor."
"See Daniel, that's how you treat a General."
"Not when you're a civilian with a sensitive nose."
"Fine, I'll go get a shower but before that I'm going to steal Lieutenant Hailey for a bit. Will you be ok here on your own?"
"I'll be great if you take the stench with you."
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Three hours later Jennifer knocked on the passenger door and slid in beside Daniel after he unlocked the car for her. "Welcome back."
"Anything happen while I was gone?"
"Not a thing. What were you and Jack doing?"
"Liberating some toys."
"I parked around the corner. Why don't you go get some dinner and when you come back you can find me in the grey plumbers van."
"Plumber?"
"We're undercover."
"I hope nobody asks us to unclog their drain." Jennifer snickered at Daniel. "Would you like me to get you something?"
"No thanks, I have a burrito in the van."
"Oh, a burrito sounds good."
"Try the shopping center two blocks down."
When Daniel returned, he opened the back door of the van and climbed in, assuming the seat beside Jennifer in front of a row of monitors and equipment. "Nice set up."
"General O'Neill got a bit terse with a few folks, but it was worth it. He's convinced Colonel Carter is being monitored, and he wants me to lock on to any signal coming from her apartment. I also took the liberty of setting up a few cameras so we can monitor her building remotely. I'll do the same outside Modern Aerodynamics before we get some sleep."
"Sweet."
Jennifer nodded in agreement. "This will make things a lot better."
"Where's Jack?"
"Getting some sleep. He was dead on his feet."
"I'm glad you convinced him to get some sleep."
"I don't think it was me, but I agree he wasn't going to be able to make it much longer."