****
Jake sighed softly as Rooney talked with the woman at the bar. She was sitting with a group of women and they'd been talking very loudly all night. What drew Rooney's attention was the 10.5 Million in Bearer Bonds that had just been deposited in the bank where she worked. Not for the first time that night, Jake lifted the snifter of Hennessy to his lips and drained the glass. Apparently Frank had decided to turn the pressure up by sending in Alex. It wasn't any of his business, but he knew a watchdog when he saw one - and Alex was definitely in as a mother hen. He winced, a short shot of pain lancing through his still tender jewels as he shifted in his seat. Damn Shay had one hell of a kick in her. Even four days later he was still aching from that lashing she gave him.
Alex looked over at Jake. He was well on his way to getting plastered. Good for him, the little prick. He should be on his knees begging Frankie's forgiveness when she got back. But, she kept her mind focused on Rooney in front of her while she did business.
Outside in the van, Cody and Shay were listening in on the conversation between Alex and her co-workers. Things were going well and both Shay and Frank had a feeling that Rooney would be on the hook in a matter of hours.
"How's Jake holding up?"
"He's fine… looks like he might be getting a bit loaded though."
Frank sighed in their ears. He had yet to have Alex tell him that Frankie had collapsed and had to be taken to the emergency room. Deirdre had called him yesterday, a few hours after Frankie had hung up on Shay and told him the news. Unfortunately, there was nothing Jake could do until he was out from the assignment. What puzzled Frank even more was that Deirdre would not tell him what the doctor's had said about Frankie. She wouldn't even tell Shay.
"OK. Shay, get in contact with Alex. She'll -" He drifted off as his eyes caught something Jake was doing. Was that a cell phone?"
"Cody, trace that call."
"What?"
"Jake's making a call, trace it, find out who he's calling."
As Cody's fingers flew over the keyboard in an effort to lock on to the signal from Jake's cell, Jake stood up and moved into the men's room.
"Hello?"
Jake frowned, the voice sounded tired. "I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No," the woman's voice brightened a bit at recognizing the caller. "Are you all right?"
"I'm a bit on the blue side… and almost intoxicated."
"Might I ask why?"
"I miss you." Jake looked over his shoulder and saw Alex watching him like a hawk. "And as much as I'd love to continue this conversation, I have to go." He hung up quickly.
Inside the van, Cody slammed his hands down on the keys and growled. "Damn it!"
Shay jumped. It was rare, if ever, that he swore. "No luck?"
"Oh I got lucky enough to see it was a local number, but was routed through a roaming station."
"Any luck on who the number belongs to?" Frank asked.
"None."
Jake put his hand on Rooney's shoulder and smiled seductively at the woman at the bar - Alex. "I'm leaving for the night guys."
Rooney stood up and pulled Jake off to the side. "I think we're on to something. See the blonde at the bar?"
Jake looked at Alex. "Yeah."
"We'll talk tomorrow. Go home, sleep it off. I don't know what ever happened to that red headed dish you took home a few nights ago, but if you happened to get her number, call her."
Jake looked up questioningly.
Rooney laughed. "For God's sake man, roll the bitch and get it out of your system! You've been an absolute pain in the ass the last two or three days. Call her up, Jackie I think she said her name was. Call her, fuck her, and we'll see you tomorrow."
Jake had to refrain from curling his lip or hitting Rooney. He had to remind himself that this wasn't the right time to educate him on how to speak about a lady. With a shrug, he passed by Alex without a glance and out into the empty street. Looking to his right, he saw the utilities van parked about 50 yards down. Shay and Cody were in there. Frank most likely was back in the nest monitoring everything. He turned to his left and began walking home.
****