Page 154 of False Flag

“I don’t think so. Casper’s tech team took off a few minutes before you started streaming. They took the private ferry.”

“With the dive boat at Whidbey, we’re stuck unless we can get Casper’s captain to take us out.”

“I’m not going out on the water with anyone who works for Casper.”

“So, we wait for the Mounties,” Staci said.

“How did you do it?” Dahlia asked. “Get the livestream to work?”

“I’d rather not say.” Her mind was reeling. She’d probably broken several laws. But then, were the blockers even legal? She’d been essentially a prisoner here, while others had internet and were allowed to leave the island.

Of course, she’d also violated the NDA. But she could probably trust Dahlia?

Gerard was gone. And she’d live-streamed it.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Time to check off save the world from a narcissistic pseudoarchaeologist from her to-do list. Although technically, Beau had been the one to get rid of him. Still, there was no reason for her to continue putting off learn how to knit.

She let out a strangled laugh.

“You okay?” Dahlia said.

“I’m not sure.” Her hands were shaking. The adrenaline crash must be hitting.

Staci’s phone pinged with a text. Saved by the chime. She glanced down, and relief swamped her. She hadn’t wanted to face her fears for Jake and the others. She knew they were prepared, but the toxin had killed Lloyd. Killed Drew. She’d kept her focus on Gerard so she couldn’t think about Jake.

“Jake and his team are on their way here. NAS Whidbey provided a helicopter.”

“I knew he didn’t really leave you.”

“Casper made him go. But I think it was really Beau manipulating him.”

A few minutes later, they were back at Heron House. “We should wait here. The harbor is exposed.”

“Beau has keys to this house too, doesn’t he?”

“He’s security. He’s got keys and passcodes for everything. Well, except to Chinook and Orca houses.”

“Let’s go to the helo pad by Chinook. If we see Beau, be ready to drive, but I don’t think he’ll come after us, not down here.”

“I bet he holed up in the woods.”

Twenty minutes later, the roar of a helicopter signaled Jake’s arrival. Staci’s heart pounded as she watched it land. This was it. It was really over.

Jake had come back for her as promised.

She leapt from the side-by-side as he emerged from the helicopter and ran toward him, stopping when she reached the helipad perimeter to avoid the dangerous rotor blades. He met her at the edge, scooped her up, and swung her around. She laughed, heart surging.

He stopped spinning and set her on her feet, then kissed her fast and deep. “You did it! You exposed them all.” He shouted to be heard over the noisy helicopter, but the blades slowed and noise decreased as it powered down.

Her arms were around his neck, his around her waist. She was still a little dizzy from the spin, but his hold grounded her. He grounded her. She waited until she could speak without yelling. “So did you. You stopped the attack and helped round up the Truthers.”

“Osborne’s in FBI custody. And he’s going down for a lot more than supplying terrorists with a bioweapon.”

Bastian bumped Jake in the shoulder. “My turn, kiddo.”

Jake laughed. “Sure thing, old man.” He released his hold on her, and Bastian picked her up and hugged her. “This is from Morgan, Freya, and Brie.” He set her on her feet and cupped her face between his palms. “And this is from me and the tribes.” He kissed her forehead. “You did good. Really, really good.”

Staci’s eyes teared. “Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around Bastian’s waist and hugged him as he squeezed her tight.