Page 33 of Covert Past

“I don’t know. Stay here and let me check it out.”

“I’m coming with you.” She grabbed her weapon from where it was hidden. Boone pushed her behind him as they stepped out into the night. The wind screamed so loud it was impossible tohear anything.

Boone clicked on his flashlight and scanned the area. A small storage building nearby had a tree limb through its window.

Ellie bent over in relief. “We should check on Declan and Eli. The storm’s really picking up.”

The lightning frequency had increased. Seconds ticked by before the answering thunder confirmed the storm would strike much sooner than expected.

Boone hesitated. He was worried about her but gave in because of his friends. “You’re right.”

The wind almost blew them over as they walked. Ellie looped her arm through his, using his strength to stay on her feet.

As they neared the pier, Ellie spotted the two men, but something was missing. The boat. “It’s gone.”

Declan saw them coming and let Eli know.

“What happened?” Boone asked as they neared.

“I’m guessing the surges broke the ropes free,” Declan told them. “There are some swells that have to be close to fourteen feet. If this keeps up, the dock will go next. The vessel’s probably halfway out to sea by now. It took the rope with it, too. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“But it didn’t damage the dock’s pilings . . .” Ellie pointed out. Something else had done that. Or someone.

Chapter Twelve

Ellie could tell Boone was trying not to show his concern.

“There’s nothing we can do until the storm passes,” he told her. “We should call JT and tell him we will need a way off the island.”

“What brought you two out?” Eli asked as they all started back for the cabin.

“We heard a crash and were worried about you.” Boone explained about the tree limb.

The rain picked up into a deluge.

“We need to get back to the cabin. There’s nothing we can do here until the storm passes. We may lose phone service soon. I want to let JT know what’s happening.” Declan stepped back inside the house. The others followed. Eli and Boone secured the door.

“That should hold it.” Boone double checked to be certain. “Let’s get downstairs.”

Ellie couldn’t explain why but she slipped her hand into Boone’s as they started down the steps.

Declan checked that the laptop hadn’t hit on a program to decode the drive while Boone made the call to JT placing it on speaker.

The static on the line was so loud it was hard to hear.

“What’s happening there? From the radar, it looks as if the brunt of the storm is closing in on your location. How are you all holding up?”

“We’re fine.” Boone told him about the boat being gone. “We have no means of leaving, not that it’s possible with what’s coming.”

“I’ll have a boat on standby. As soon as it’s safe, we’ll come get you all. Anything new on the program?”

Boone told him no. “We’re waiting for something to work.”

“Let’s hope your software hits on something soon. We really need answers. Keep checking in with us. You’re all in our prayers.” The call ended. The silence left in its wake hung heavy with tension. They were stuck here on a small island with a storm barreling down on them and no way to escape.

Ellie rubbed the back of her neck again. The small knot was a constant reminder of the night Daniel died. A physical scar to match the one on her heart.

“Are you okay?” Boone had been keeping a close eye on her. She realized he picked up on her anxiety.

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