Page 11 of Logan

“You got it, boss.”

“Good.” Looking around, he said, “I had you bring PT clothes today. Everyone meet outside in ten minutes. We’ve got some team building planned and a bit of a workout.”

Once everyone was gathered, he pointed at a trail leading into the hills at the mountain base and said, “Three groups offour. Divide up and give the group in front a five-minute lead. Go until you come to the place marked by Bert. Starting now.”

He and Landon held back, and he watched with interest how the ten others quickly formed teams with no sense of egos or deliberation. He liked that they had naturally formed bonds with each of the other members. Sadie was the only female so far, but he intended to add more as soon as he could. She fell into step with the first group, and none of the other three seemed to mind. Casper and Cory held back, joining him and Landon.

The run lasted almost forty minutes, and he had to admit he was sucking air when his group arrived. Bert had energy bars and water at the area where the trail came to a wide space before the climb into the mountains became steeper. They all sat and caught their breaths, with good-natured joking going back and forth between each Keeper.

From that spot, the tall tower at the top of one of the mountain peaks was clearly visible. Logan moved to stand in front of the group, gaining everyone’s attention. Jerking his head upward toward the light tower, he began. “Historically, beacon fires were lit on hills, both for signaling over land and for sea navigation. The term pyres came from ancient Greeks. The Chinese used a sophisticated system of beacon towers on the Great Wall. By the tenth century, hill forts were used throughout Europe as part of beacon networks. In the nineteen hundreds, aerial lighthouses were established to guide aircraft with lighted beacons. Some are made of metal, and others are concrete.”

He noted that all Keepers’ eyes were on the tower above them, then turned to him as he paused. “Today, most of the beacons in the United States have been decommissioned or removed since aircraft have navigational systems. Except for in Montana. This was the last state to maintain aerial towers as lighthouse beacons to assist aircraft in navigation over themountainous terrain. But as of a few years ago, only six are now part of the National Register of Historic Places.”

He chuckled. “You’re probably wondering why the fuck I had you run all the way up here just to give you a historical lesson on mountain light towers. It’s because of who you now are. You don’t just have employment with Lighthouse Security Investigations Montana. You are part of an elite group known as the Keepers. That name came from Mace Hanover. He once told me of how his grandfather talked of the lighthouse keepers of old who guided others to safety and often faced peril when they rescued those in need. It was a mantra… a calling to him. And it is still true today. The lighthouse tattoo each of you now has on your arm isn’t just a testament to who you work for. It’s a testament to who you are and what we can accomplish.”

Everyone took to their feet, eyes sharp and fierce expressions of determination on their faces.

“So if you’re ready, head back down to the compound. And let’s get to work.”

7

PRESENT DAY

Logan leaned back, rubbing his chin as he maintained eye contact with Donald Markham on the large screen. Donald could only see Logan, not the rest of the group or the background.

In the past two months, LSIMT accepted numerous assignments, all important, but none of them were dangerous or difficult to plan. There were security systems to design, security escorts to provide, and search and rescue for hikers who disregarded the weather warnings. It had been both Mace and Carson’s recommendation that Logan start slow, let his group continue to get used to working as a team, and pick the assignments that felt right at the time.

But now, seeing Donald Markham on the screen, Logan wondered how LSIMT could help the DHS in a way that used to be one of Logan’s lone assignments. Utilizing his group for whatever Donald proposed would be a new challenge for him.

“So what need does the DHS have, Donald?”

“The president is worried about active terrorist cells. Until recently, Alaska was the only state in the country that didn’t have them. But now, they do. ISIS is still a factor, and now our intelligence says they’re working on biological weapons…the kind that can wipe out cities very quickly. Not bombs. Not guns.But the type of weapons that, when added to food, drinking water, or whatever the hell they think of, can cause death or illness to whole populations. Once perfected, they have plans to use them across Europe, and you know, we’d be susceptible to the same threats.”

This produced lifted brows from Logan and most of the Keepers around the table. “Why Alaska?”

“I asked the same question. Seems the remoteness, smaller populations, and definite smaller government policing agencies make it a perfect draw.”

“What specifics do you have?”

Donald sighed. “We have identified a house that a cell has taken over in a small Alaskan town. The leader is a suspected terrorist, and it appears he’s recruiting from the local university. We need someone to move in next door and investigate what contaminant is being produced. Find out…and neutralize.”

“That’s it? Move in and investigate. That’s the mission? Surely, someone else can do that job. You don’t need LSI for that.”

Donald continued to push his plan. “I don’t need someone who will burst onto the scene to take down terrorists or jump out of planes. I need someone who can move in next door and look just like any neighbor. I need someone who can find out what’s going on covertly. Someone who won’t get in their face. Someone who can set up cameras and monitor their chatter on phones and computers.” Snorting, he said, “If the fuckin’ FBI sent someone, they’d send Mr. All-American who’d try to get the terrorist neighbors to come over for a backyard barbecue. You? Hell, they won’t suspect a grumpy guy who acts like he couldn't care less about his neighbors. Someone who’s not afraid, at the end of the day, to eliminate the… threat.”

“Eliminate?”

“In the past, I probably would have called an individual such as what you used to do. But, right now, officially DHS has unofficially shifted this case to my office. I’ve been tasked with finding out for sure, then eliminating the threat after you find out their plan. You’re the person I’m choosing.” He threw his hand up before Logan could retort. “I know, I know. You lead a team now. But you… and LSI is still who I choose. Your team will provide the backup needed.”

Quiet settled over Logan as he pondered Donald’s request. It was the first major request for services that LSIMT had received. It would be a boost to prove that his people could handle a job of this nature. But the wordeliminateheld him back. Eliminating the threat was interpreted as terminating. It was what he would do in the past, but now? Being part of the LSI partnership changed everything.

“Donald, you need to understand that LSI is not a hired assassin group. We can investigate and assist DHS, but then we’d turn over what we have to you or whoever you indicate.”

“I understand,” Donald agreed, a little too readily for Logan’s peace of mind. “Then we need the threat eliminated. Whatever they have created in their labs, we need it destroyed.”

“We’d be doing our own planning? Because it’s no secret that no one on my team specializes in biological chemical warfare.”

Clearing his throat, Donald uncharacteristically hesitated. “The DHS has biologists trained in ferreting out chemicals and biologics that could be used for terrorism in drinking water and food processing. They also have a few people who specialize in the types of biological warfare that could wipe out entire cities.”

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