Did you miss the beginning? Check out the links at the bottom of the article.

Chapter 4. 

The day moved quickly and once again Paige and Jason were under orders to spend as much time together as possible catching up. 

“Where did you learn how to fix cars,” Paige asked over a sushi dinner. 

“I took auto shop in high school and worked on cars at the family shop while I paid for college.”

“That is what you told me before,” Paige commented. He was touched at her remembering the conversation from years ago. 

“It is easier to tell the truth as much as possible.” he replied. “It was hard to lie to you. I felt like I could tell you everything and well… I almost broke my cover many times.” He went to take her hand however, at that same second, Paige was using chopsticks to pick up another piece of food.  Jason recovered quickly and inquired of her background. 

“Well I did get caught tagging, multiple times by the Police when I was a freshman in high school. They gave me the choice of either going to Juvie or join the ROTC with the intent of enlisting right of high school. My parents didn’t give me a choice. They both stood as witnesses as I signed the paperwork. I think everyone was surprised when I began getting good grades.  I didn’t get in trouble again and graduated with high honors.”  He chuckled.

“What?” 

“Just the thought of you in a Juvenile detention facility.” She laughed at the irony. 

“After Basic, I sat with an advisor and told them that I wanted to pursue art. I had a small portfolio by then. He told me about painting military vehicles, and I thought that it would be boring. He then took me to see the shop and all the airbrush designs and decorated hoods on the wall. I was sold.” They continued conversing about the past.  For the most part most of it rang as true as six years ago. It wasn’t until Jason asked her about the past few years did any discomfort come back. 

“That was my first and only undercover assignment;” she began carefully. “I went back to the Auto Shop then was deployed overseas for a short time. I was injured in an IED attack and sent home. My Mother moved in with me in order to help out and take care of… things for a while. After going through rehab, I transferred here and began working in the hanger shop. I have been back here for about a year. My mom still hasn’t moved out. What about you?”

“That was my first of many assignments. I am not at liberty to share details, however like you I have been traveling. I rented a house for this case because I expect that we will be here for minimum six months; maximum a year” Paige blanched, thinking how much time she would be spending away from her young son. The garage that they were going to be assigned to was only a couple hours away from the base so Paige knew that she would be able to come home during the weekends. Despite, Paige dreaded being apart from her son all week long. That was always the hardest part of being deployed. 

“At some point of time, you should come by and Ill cook for you.” She agreed a bit distracted, as they rose. They strolled together to her car and Jason stayed until she had driven away. Once gone, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and strolled to his own car. 

“I found her Mom,” he greeted. There was stunned silence on the other end. “Paige Dillon is her name; she was using an alias also. We are going back undercover, together this time. I have a feeling we’ll be getting back together and this time I am not letting her go.”

“Are you sure?” the voice on the other line asked.

“Yes. The Chemistry is still strong. She is holding back about something, but I feel it in my heart that we are going to end up together this time.” They said their goodbyes and Jason turned the car on. 

“Ill need to go back home soon and pick up the ring.” he said to himself. 

The story continues. If you missed the first parts, go to https://the-armijo-signal.com/25286/entertainment/and-so-it-begins/, https://the-armijo-signal.com/25461/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-2/ and https://the-armijo-signal.com/25831/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-3/