Page 43 of False Flag

Beau gave her an unsettling smile. “I’m going to make sure you don’t fuck this up for us.”

What was Beau’s role in Gerard’s organization? To the best of her knowledge, he hadn’t known the man when they were dating. He’d just been a fan who followed the path outlined in Gerard’s sermons until he was deep in a land of disinformation and conspiracies and was fully radicalized.

It was a short drive up the hill to the residential complex that included old mansions and new houses, offices, and maintenance buildings. Not that she would ever describe the structures or the layout of the built environment. Nope. Never. She would respect the NDA.

But if she were to describe it, she’d mention the three stately mansions built when lumber was harvested and milled by men who worked for Osborne’s ancestors. The newer, smaller houses—of which she counted at least four—were built to match the American Queen Anne Revival-style of the three mansions. These modern Craftsman-style bungalows had intricately carved wood trim and other fine hand-hewn decorative motifs similar to the older, much more ornate mansions.

Staci couldn’t wait to see the place in daylight, without rain.

In addition to the mansions and bungalows, there was a row of what looked like small cabins—studio or one-bedroom units?—that edged the forest. She guessed these were staff housing.

Adjacent to housing was a massive garage and several buildings that were likely maintenance-related. She suspected there were more structures hidden in the trees that covered the hillside. Tomorrow she would explore as much as she was allowed.

“You aren’t to go near Chinook House—it’s the big one closest to the water,” Beau said, pointing downhill.

“That’s where Osborne’s kids live?”

Beau’s top lip rose on one side in a sneer she remembered from high school. Smug, disdainful Beau. Back then, he never gave her that look. But back then he hadn’t been a Nazi. “Yeah. Sure. It’s the kids.”

Weirdly, now she wasn’t so certain. She reminded herself that no one knew how to mess with her head better than Beau. He’d known her at her most insecure time of life. He’d been the big, popular senior whose attention had rescued her from the mean girls.

“Which house am I staying in? Please tell me it’s one of the small cabins by myself.”

“Oh hell no. You’re in Geoduck House with your new boyfriend here and most of the team.”

“Gooey duck? Is that the state—er, province—bird or something?”

Lloyd answered in a far friendlier tone than Beau would have used. “It’s spelled G-E-O-duck, but it’s not a duck at all. It is, however, gooey. It’s a big-ass clam. All the larger houses here are named after Pac Northwest wildlife of one kind or another. Chinook—which is, of course, a type of salmon—is Osborne’s personal residence. Geoduck House and Orca House are the other mansions. The bungalows are Blue Heron, Gray Wolf, Cougar, and Black Bear.”

“It’s a shame Cougar doesn’t have a defining color. One of these things is not like the other.”

Lloyd smiled. “I’ll be sure to pass on your suggestion to Casper. For the most part, we call them Heron House, Wolf House, and Bear House. Most of the expedition team lives in Geoduck. Gerard is in Heron. His recording studio is in the basement. Casper’s personal tech team lives in Orca. It’s not off-limits, but worth avoiding. The guys there are techbro assholes. They will well, actually you to death.”

Staci laughed. Lloyd was growing on her. “Solid advice. Thank you.”

Beau parked in front of what she assumed was the big-ass clam house. The rain had lightened, but she still faced getting drenched on the long walkway to the front door.

She circled to the back of the van to grab her bags.

Beau stopped her. “Those will be delivered to your room, right after they’re searched.”

“Fine. Search the bags. But no one touches my computer or phone.” She cinched the straps of her backpack and locked her stance. Any attempt to take the bag would be an assault. She would fight back.

“Security inspects everything.”

“That’s between me and Campbell’s security team.”

He merely gave her another smug smile.

Shit.

Now she knew why she hadn’t spotted him at the fundraiser. She’d searched for familiar faces among the paying attendees. The apostles, like Lloyd. And his brother.

Beau was part of Gerard’s security team.

An hour later, she was settled in her room. The house interior had been fully upgraded in a recent remodel. Her room had a king-sized bed, walk in closet, and a full bathroom complete with Jacuzzi tub and separate two-head shower. It was five times better than the best hotel room she’d ever stayed in, and it was just one of dozens of guest rooms Osborne had between his seven houses and unknown number of small cabins.

Staci had never aspired for wealth and luxury—she wouldn’t have gone into archaeology if she did—but if she had to live in a hornet’s nest for the next few months, at least it came with quality sheets and a bidet.