Page 8 of Logan

Now, he was slowly interviewing others who had passed the initial paperwork, security check, referral check, and video interview. He only invited the ones who had passed all the other employment roadblocks he’d put in place to the compound. Thelast thing he wanted was for anyone to see what he was building if they weren’t going to be a part of his Keepers.

He’d met and interviewed several possibilities, but few made the cut. For one thing, relocating to northern Montana, where the weather was unforgivable and the nightlife nonexistent, wasn’t a location for everyone.

So far, though, he’d added several more to his contingent of Keepers—Dalton Dolby, Frazier’s brother, and Timothy Clemons, a former Army Ranger whose sister was with one of the West Coast Keepers.

He had turned a small outbuilding into an office where he met with potential employees, not wanting them in his house unless they were hired. Arriving, he walked through the door and observed a woman standing erect, her gaze never wavering from him as she thrust out her hand.

“Sadie Hargrove, sir. It’s an honor to meet you.”

His brows lifted. “Honor? That’s an interesting word, Ms. Hargrove. I’m not sure what I’ve done to elicit that greeting.”

She held his gaze. “I’ve served with some of the best, Mr. Bishop. Some I’ve respected more than others. But what you’re doing here is accomplishing something to be proud of. I’ve heard of Lighthouse Security Investigations. I had once hoped to be considered by either Mr. Hanover or Mr. Dyer.”

“What stopped you?”

“When I first left the military a year ago, my mother needed my assistance. Now, I’m looking for a position with LSI, and Mr. Dyer let me know that you might offer me a chance to interview.”

“Sit down, Ms. Hargrove.”

She did as he asked, and he settled behind the utilitarian desk. She appeared calm, collected, and ready for action, but he could sense her alertness. He looked down at the tablet in front of him, which he had already studied. She wouldn’t have made it this far if he wasn’t willing to see if she would fit. Lifting his gaze,he said, “I’m sorry about your mother. My grandfather died of cancer. It’s a bitch and takes something from those left behind as well as the victim.”

A flash of pain moved through her eyes as she nodded her agreement. When he’d interviewed her on video, she came across as hard and almost too closed off. But with the pain that had quickly filled her face before her professional mask fell back into place, she seemed much more human. Her competence with computer software engineering and cyber security was well documented. After he asked more questions about her work, he only had one concern left. “Can you hack living and working here? Montana can be unforgiving.”

Her gaze shifted out the window for the first time during the interview. She swallowed for a moment, then brought her eyes back to him. “Mr. Bishop, I spent my mother’s dying months in Florida, where it was hot as hell. And crowded. No matter where I went… to the grocery, to the doctor’s offices, then finally at the hospital, I was surrounded by people. Some were rude, some wonderful, some indifferent, and some did all they could to make life better. But I never had a chance to be alone and just breathe. As soon as I stepped out of the plane and started the drive here, this place called to me.” Her lips pressed together tightly. “I realize that may sound stupid, but if I’m going to work for you, then I need to be honest. I can do the work required to take on whatever LSI Montana needs. I can be part of the camaraderie of your business. But I also want to be somewhere that allows me just to breathe.”

Logan nodded, realizing that she had just verbalized what he so understood. Reaching across the desk, he offered his hand. Her gaze snapped down, and she eagerly clasped his, letting out a long breath.

“Welcome aboard, Ms. Hargrove.”

“Sadie, sir.”

“And you can call me Logan.” He smiled as he stood and walked her outside where Todd was standing. “Todd, this is Sadie. Would you give her a tour? Introduce her to the others, and then get her with Mary for all the employment necessities.” He watched as the two walked away, and he headed back into the office.

His feet came to a halt at the sight of a man standing in the shadows by the chair that Sadie had occupied. Narrowing his eyes, Logan growled, “Who the fuck are you?”

The man stepped into the light. “Aldo Caspani, sir.”

Logan inhaled sharply, his gaze assessing. “Code name Casper for the ghost, I presume.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir. I arrived early and hoped I’d be able to see you today. If not, I’ll return.”

Logan waited, carefully weighing his decision. He’d heard about Casper from one of Carson’s Keepers—his second-in-command who had served with Aldo Caspani. He moved so quietly, and his skills were deadly. Logan recognized the potential of having someone like him on his team. He also knew he’d get few answers from the man beyond what he’d already ascertained from the interview.

“Mr. Caspani, I know what you can do for this organization. I’ve only got two questions for you.” He watched as Casper’s eyes flared with a hint of curiosity. “Why a Keeper? And why here?”

Casper’s gaze never wavered, and Logan felt sure the man in front of him missed very little around him.

“Why not a Keeper?” After asking the rhetorical question, Casper shrugged. “It’s where I can find… redemption.”

Logan scoffed, his chin jerking back. “Redemption?”

“Perhaps a new start would be a better way to describe what I seek. Redemption may follow.”

Logan nodded slowly, understanding more than he let on. Most special forces understood the fine line between serving their country and serving the needs of those in charge and how the line could often be blurred. Perhaps Casper had simply stated it correctly the first time. “And here?”

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