Page 28 of Covert Past

“I think I have everything to make cholentif we can find some stew meat.”

“I don’t know what that is, but we can check the freezer downstairs. Declan said there’s plenty of meat there.” He headed back down to the basement with her. “What exactly is cholent?”

They reached the freezer, and she opened it. “Cholent is a traditional stew normally served on Sabbath.” Ellie dug around until she found the stew meat and handed it to him. “In order to create a delicious meal that could be served without having to turn on the stove, this slow-cooking stew would be started early on Friday before Sabbath. We won’t have that long, but hopefully it will be good.”

Boone tucked the stew meat under one arm. “Need anything else from down here?”

She appeared to go over the ingredients in her head. “We have potatoes, and I think I saw the necessary seasoning.” She snapped her fingers. “Lima beans, if we can find them.” She saw his reaction and smiled. “I know—they’re not for everyone, but they do make the stew taste better.”

After searching shelves, Ellie settled on fava beans. “These are close enough.”

Upstairs, Declan and Eli worked their laptops. Both looked up as they returned.

“Did you find everything you need?” Declan asked.

“We did.” Ellie thanked him. “Is there any news on the storm?”

The way Declan’s jaw tightened confirmed it wasn’t going to be good news. “It hasn’t made landfall with any of the smaller islands in its path. Good for them, but not so much for us. Hope Island may be spared, but from the way I track the storm we won’t be as lucky.” He checked his phone. “I’m worried about the Petersons. As soon as the storm lets up, I’m going over there to check on them.”

As if being hunted by deadly terrorists wasn’t bad enough, it seemed as if everything was conspiring to bring the storm of the century, as the weather forecasters were calling it, directly to their location. The flood damage could be extensive. And they didn’tknow how the enemy kept finding Ellie. That bothered him the most. There had to be something . . . he remembered she’d told him she’d kept Daniel’s engagement ring.

“What is it?” Ellie must have picked up on his unease. She finished cutting the vegetables and wiped her hands before adding them to the meat and broth already boiling. Ellie placed the top on the stew pot and lowered the temperature.

“You said you only kept Daniel’s ring and your weapon from your past?”

“That’s right. The ring and my Ruger, which has never left my possession.” She searched his face. “You don’t think . . . ?”

His brows arched. “They’re finding you somehow. It’s worth looking into.”

She wiped her hands on a towel and brought out the small dark blue jeweler’s bag. Ellie removed it from its protection. “Here it is.” She handed Boone the simple solitaire emerald ring that was mounted in a silver band.

The wind howled around the corner of the cabin.

“What’s up?” Eli came over and lifted the lid of the pot. “This smells good.”

Boone shared with both men his thoughts about the engagement ring.

Eli clearly had doubts. “I guess it’s possible.”

“Technology is always advancing,” Declan told them. “Every intelligence agency is in a race to develop ways to spy on others. But I’m not sure how advanced Syrian Intelligence is or whether.”

He turned the ring over in his hand and had no idea what to look for. “Declan, you’re our tech guy.”

Declan took the ring and examined it under the kitchen light. “Nothing’s visible . . . see this.” He pointed to a darker spot in the stone. “Looks like there may be something there or it could just be a flaw.” Declan looked to Ellie. “I’ll need to take it apart to be sure.”

Boone could see the decision was a hard one for Ellie. She slowly gave her permission. “Daniel wouldn’t want the ring to be the reason I ended up dead. Do what you have to do. I’m ready for answers.”

Chapter Eleven

“Take her to the basement.” He ordered once the husband and wife had been successfully subdued. “If you want to see your husband and son again, you’ll cooperate.”

Her distraught eyes held her husband’s while two of his men forced the woman down the steps.

The husband fought against the men holding him in an attempt to get to his wife. “Let her go. If you hurt her . . .”

“That will depend on your cooperation,” he told the man. It had been unfortunate that his team’s stolen vessel had drifted off course amidst the strong winds and had run ashore in the rocky shallows near Breakers Island. The vessel had broken apart. The pieces swept out to sea. They’d been forced to swim ashore. Though everyone had survived, there would be no way to leave the island. When his team had picked up her signal again after a period of silence, he’d given the command to act. His men had procured a boat and headed after the signal. He’d hoped to have good news by the time the boss arrived.

Only that hadn’t worked out.

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