“The north ridge gives the best vantage point,” I say, pointing to the elevated area. “But it’s also the most exposed approach. Anyone coming that way would be visible for at least half a mile.”
Rory nods, understanding my real message. “We’ll place two men there immediately. High visibility works both ways.”
Declan catches our exchange, his eyes narrowing slightly. He gets it, too. “Perhaps we should conduct a perimeter check now, while we’re discussing placement. Kane, Connor, Jake—care to join us? What about you, Caleb? Is your leg up to it?”
“Absolutely, I’m in.” I agree. “It’s getting better every day.”
All of us slip outside, moving casually toward the barn as if continuing our conversation. Once inside, Declan drops the pretense.
“Where?” he asks.
“Northwest tree line, about three hundred yards out,” I reply. “Single observer, possibly with a spotter.”
Kane is already on his radio, issuing quiet commands to the team. “Four-man sweep, silent approach. Observe only, do not engage unless threatened.”
Declan studies me with newfound interest. “Good eye. Most people wouldn’t have noticed.”
“Most people haven’t spent years being hunted by rebels,” I reply with a shrug.
“Jake mentioned you were special forces. Which unit?”
“That’s still classified,” I say, not unkindly. Some habits die hard.
Declan nods, respecting the secrecy. “Fair enough. What’s your assessment of our situation here?”
I consider for a moment. “We’re exposed. The property is too large to secure completely. If NTM decides to come in force, we’ll need more than fifty men.”
“Hence why more are coming tomorrow, and the documents are being moved,” Kane adds, rejoining us. “Team is en route to the observer’s position. We’ll know more soon.”
“What about the waterfall location?” I ask. “If Wolf hid the gold there, we need to retrieve it before NTM figures it out.”
“Agreed,” Declan says. “We’ll send a team tomorrow at first light. The spring equinox is in two days—if that’s significant to finding the cache, we need to be in position before then.”
“I want to go,” I say firmly. “I know the property better than your men.”
Kane and Declan exchange a glance. “And I suspect Lana will want to join you,” Rory remarks with a knowing smile.
I don’t deny it. “Lana’s good in the field. She keeps her head under pressure.”
“So I’ve heard,” Declan says. “Very well. You’ll lead the team to the waterfall tomorrow. Choose four of my men to accompany you.”
My radio crackles to life—one of the security team Kane assigned to me earlier. “Night Owl, this is Bravo Two. We’ve reached the position. The observer is gone, but we found footprints and cigarette butts. Professional job, military-grade ghillie suit fibers caught on branches.”
“Copy that, Bravo Two,” I respond. “Maintain surveillance on that sector. Report any movement.”
I look at Kane and Declan. “NTM is hiring ex-military contractors. This just got more complicated.”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” Declan says confidently. “Let’s get back inside before they notice we’re gone.”
As we return to the house, I spot Lana through the window, her pink hair catching the light as she bends over documents with Kat. Something protective stirs in me—a fierce determination to keep her safe from whatever is coming our way.
The rest of the day passes in a flurry of activity. Security teams establish a perimeter around both properties. Declan’s men set up more surveillance equipment and a list of coded communication protocols. The most crucial documents are photographed, digitized, and prepared for transport to Toronto.
By evening, the initial chaos has settled into organized vigilance. Most of Declan’s men have moved to their assignedpositions, leaving a core team at Jake’s house and another at the lodge. Kori, with Lana’s, Mia’s, Wren’s, and Kat’s help, somehow managed to feed everyone within twenty minutes—a minor miracle that earned all of them immediate respect of Declan’s entire team.
“It’s unusually warm for tonight, don’t you think?” I remark to Lana as we sit on Jake’s front porch, taking in the sunset.
She nods, “Thankfully, it is. The snow has begun to melt.”
