Page 96 of False Flag

“Welcome back, Lieutenant,” the podcaster said when he drew near.

Before he could respond, Beau made a move to board Rosalie.

Jake dropped Staci’s hand and shifted to block his path. “Always ask permission before boarding a vessel.”

The man’s nostrils flared as his eyes darted toward the camera. “It’s my job to inspect your boat.”

“It was a mistake for Campbell to hire a felon to run his security team. You aren’t even permitted in Canada. Your conviction and the very recent nature of your crime make you criminally inadmissible. You step foot on this boat, and I’ll make a call to Canada Border Services Agency to make sure they know you’ve entered the country illegally. I’m sure Osborne won’t be pleased when CBSA sends an immigration officer to arrest you.”

Beau’s eyes burned with hate. “The boat can’t be moored on Letora unless it’s inspected.”

“He’s right, Lieutenant.” Gerard stepped closer, into the camera’s view. “Osborne requires all vessels to be inspected.”

There was the crunch of tires on gravel, and Jake turned to see a Mercedes-Benz SUV approaching from the south end of the island.

The island only had a few roads. All houses and offices were within walking distance from the marina. Vehicles were primarily used to transport supplies, and even then, more often than not, they used golf carts or four-wheel drive side-by-side utility vehicles, but Casper Osborne kept a luxury Mercedes-Benz on the island for driving from Chinook House to the dock?

Of course he did.

“Ah. There’s Casper now,” Gerard said. “He’s going to insist on the boat being inspected.”

“Fine, but not by Sommerville. He assaulted Ms. Allen last week, as you well know.” Jake had made sure Gerard knew, calling and reporting the assault minutes after it happened. Gerard had expressed concern and said he’d investigate, but Jake had known it for the empty promise it was.

This time, there was a camera running and witnesses.

“He’s lying,” Beau practically snarled. “I never touched her.”

“Of the two of us, one is a decorated Naval officer, and the other a felon. One of us has a history of lying. It’s not me. If Sommerville attempts to board Rosalie, I will call CBSA.”

Beau’s entire body was coiled. The man burned to take a swing at Jake. He would welcome the blow because then he could take the guy down and report him to Canadian immigration.

“Fine,” Gerard said. “Theo, search the boat.”

Beau’s face flushed red as he stomped down the dock, reaching the end just as Casper Osborne stepped on the tidal boat ramp.

Jake turned his attention to the Black man who approached Rosalie’s stern. The security guard, Theo, paused before raising his foot to the step. “Permission to board, sir?”

Jake nodded and moved aside. He took Staci’s hand again and gazed down at her.

Her hair had been buffeted by wind as they raced across the water, and several strands had escaped her ponytail. He tucked a stray lock behind her ear, then pressed a kiss to her lips. She kissed him back, then pressed her head to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her.

This wasn’t just a demonstration for the camera and Gerard. The brief embrace was grounding. They were in this together.

He turned his back on Theo—he wouldn’t find anything they didn’t want him to—and faced the approaching billionaire.

In the days immediately before Jake had arrived on the island, Lloyd had described meeting Osborne as if the man were a deity. Jake was far less enthusiastic about meeting the billionaire—any billionaire, really—except insofar as the man was an important player in Gerard’s scheme.

“Lieutenant Burns, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

Jake gave a slight nod. “I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Yes. Of course.” Casper turned his gaze to the boat, which Jake had backed into the slip so her name was readily visible to everyone who stood on the dock.

Jake disembarked and turned to look at the rear of the flybridge. A Coast Salish artist had painted two red, black, and green salmon above the nameplate, which was carved in wood and painted in the same style as Coast Salish masks and figures.

Rosalie

Kalahwamish Tribal Community