Page 94 of False Flag

“I wish there was an antidote.”

“Instead we’re stuck playing Whack-a-Mole.”

Thirty minutes later, they’d circled the island. Jake slowed the engine as they entered the harbor. They neared the dock. Jake’s voice was a whisper, the last time they could speak freely while the engine and a sound distorter protected them. “The mole we’re after now is Gerard Campbell.”

She squared her shoulders. “We got this.”

He cut the engine. “Let the mind games begin.”

Chapter Thirty-One

After the boat was tied to the dock, Staci entered the salon and waited for Jake, who was securing the flybridge. She paced the small area between the inside helm, table, and galley, gaze fixed on the signal jammer.

The red LED glowed brightly.

Jake stepped inside and closed the door. His gaze flicked to the signal jammer, and he raised a brow in question.

She nodded.

From here on out, every word they spoke would have an audience.

He reached for her hips and pulled her to him. His lips found her neck. His mouth felt so right against her skin. She closed her eyes. “We should have stayed in Victoria another day.”

He breathed loudly against her neck. “Gerard’s message made it clear your time was up, and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be on leave.”

“I can’t believe you want to come back here now that Lloyd is gone.”

“You know why.”

“You don’t owe him.”

“I do. This project was everything to him. I need to see it through. For him.”

“It’s not your fault he’s gone.”

“If I hadn’t been here, he’d have been in the water with you. Whatever he reacted to…whatever caused the anaphylaxis…it’s not underwater. He’d be alive today.” His voice cracked.

The pain behind the words was very real.

She held him for a long moment, then stepped back and rubbed her arms. The chill she felt was as real as his pain. “I hate that Beau is here. I should have quit the moment I knew he was on the team.”

“I’m selfishly glad you didn’t. I don’t know what I’d have done without you these last few days.”

“I’m glad I could be there for you, but I don’t know if I can stay. The entire crew hates me. Beau wants to hurt me.”

“I’ll move into your room. Protect you twenty-four seven.”

“And when you leave? Then what do I do?”

“You’ll come with me.”

She crossed her arms. “This has been fun, Jake, but I can’t stay for you, and I certainly can’t leave for you. Not when you’re one of them.”

“One of them? I’m not a Truther, Staci. And Lloyd had his faults, but he’d never be involved with that shit.”

“I wish I had your confidence.”

“Why are you doing this, then? The real reason this time.”