Page 48 of False Flag

“Jacob. Goes by Jake.” He grinned. “We all got a kick out of watching him try and fail.”

She smiled back. “Glad I could provide entertainment.”

“I tried to convince him to apply for the team, but his job won’t let him.”

She figured she was supposed to ask about his job, but didn’t want to show interest. “That’s too bad. Or not. It sounds like Gerard has the team he wants.”

“Yeah, but we could use more divers. Initially, it was a requirement to join the project, but not enough applied, and the few he hired weren’t a good fit. So now I’m the only one here with deep water certification and a significant amount of bottom time. Except you, I mean. That was another reason we brought you on. I needed a strong dive partner, and my brother isn’t available.”

“I’ll admit, it’s the part of this project I’m looking forward to the most. Well, except for the cold water. I could do without that.”

“It’s not so bad. Diving here is…special. It might not be warm and loaded with tropical fish, but cold water has different sea life that can be way prettier than a coral reef. You’ll see.”

He turned back to the computer and pointed out the areas he wanted to dive. He’d identified a few wrecks from recent decades that they could check out. His demeanor had changed, and she could see his genuine excitement.

And for the first time, she felt it too.

If nothing else, she’d get to do some interesting dives in the Pacific Northwest.

She also felt slightly safer from Beau knowing there were multiple reasons she was vital to the team. He wouldn’t dare hurt her when Gerard needed her.

Chapter Sixteen

A third of the way into a ten-mile run with his team, Jake’s phone alerted with the tone that was not to be ignored. He glanced ahead and behind. His was the only cell in the platoon that was going off.

He waved off the curious glances and slowed as his teammates ran on. He answered the call. “Burns.”

“Lieutenant Burns, report to NSWC immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He changed directions and resumed running, altering his route. With a few shortcuts, he might be able to trim his return to Naval Special Warfare Command to two miles. He picked up his pace and focused on the feel of the ground beneath him. The impact of each footfall as the heavy ruck weighed him down. Not sparing a thought as to why he’d been called in.

His live-in-the-moment skills had been honed to a razor’s edge.

Sweat-drenched, he reached NSWC’s headquarters. He paused on the sidewalk to catch his breath. His phone pinged, and he checked to see who had texted.

Lloyd.

Five days ago, his brother had been on a private jet with Staci going to some island on the other side of the country. How close was his brother to their childhood home?

The last 120 hours had been long and filled with physical training. The more difficult and painful the better. Anything to fill his consciousness so he couldn’t think about the woman who’d rejected him and the brother who resented him.

Living in the moment was how he got through each day. A shame the run had ended early, but no doubt something else was about to take his focus.

He removed his cover as he entered the building. He stopped in the gear room only long enough to drop the weighted pack. Usually, he’d take a shower before meeting with his CO, but “report immediately” did not invite a delay.

He made his way to his CO’s office and was redirected to a small conference room. Inside, he was met with Commander Gleeson, Captain Huang, Commander Fallon, and a handful of other senior Naval Special Warfare Command officers.

Jake had a sinking feeling he was in deep shit, but couldn’t begin to guess why.

He stood at attention.

“At ease, Lieutenant,” Captain Huang said. “Take a seat.”

He sat.

Rand wore a blank expression, as expected in this setting. He was several levels Jake’s senior, and this wasn’t a bachelor party. Compartmentalizing was one of their fundamental skills.