Page 38 of Covert Past

“I’ve got you, Boone. Go ahead.”

“I guess even using the best high-tech boosters available and having a cell tower right on the island doesn’t eliminate servicefrom being susceptible to the weather.” Boone attempted a laugh.

“Unfortunately, no. But I can make out what you’re saying. How’s the storm?” JT asked.

Boone told him about the rising water level. “Let’s hope we don’t have to try and evacuate. I don’t think there’s another place to go. Unless we go to the cabin of Declan’s friends, and it might have the same problem.”

“Anything on the device?” JT spoke to someone. “Bryce and his wife are here. Everyone’s hunkered down at the office. Looks like most of the storm is going to miss us. That’s good news anyway.”

Declan told him what they’d found so far.

“Wow, I can’t even begin to understand what’s happening or its importance to Ellie.”

Boone looked her way before answering. “None of us understand either. I’m sure there are answers on the drive.”

Ellie really needed to believe that.

“How are things in town? Has there been any more flooding?”

“Nothing more. Most of the water is receding. I checked in with Hank earlier. Things are good at the coffeehouse. Thankfully, there wasn’t any significant damage.”

“Any further spotting of those men from earlier?” Ellie asked.

JT told her no. “Not a peep. I’m thinking they’re holding up somewhere until the weather passes. As we suspected, the address that was given on the driver’s license to secure the rental car was a bust. The house had been abandoned for years.”

No surprise to Ellie. “I don’t suppose there were any prints left at the coffeehouse?”

“Lots but none that would identify our Arab visitors.”

“We really have no idea who sent them.” She tried not to lose hope.

“It appears so. On the bright side, the weather is predicting that the storm currently camping out over Breakers should be moving away soon.”

It was something.

“Hopefully, we’ll be in touch with more information on the drive,” Delcan told him.

“Appreciate it. Bryce and I are on standby. As soon as you’re in the clear, we’re coming to you. I’ll leave Rachel and Janine to man the business. We can stay as long as it takes to unravel the truth and get Ellie answers. I have a feeling we’re going to need all the help we can get to figure this puzzle out.”

Boone ended the call.

Help would be on the way soon. So far, all they had to battle was the weather. Would that change? Her spy instincts told her something big was in the works and they’d better figure it out soon, otherwise lives might be lost.

She’d been in the crosshairs of a dangerous plot for years. Was it all because of what was hidden in the engagement ring given to her by someone she cared about?

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. A nervous habit she couldn’t break.

She looked up and noticed Boone watching her. Even though they’d only known each other for a short amount of time, there was something about him that had gotten past the walls she’d built around her heart to protect it. Under the worst possible circumstances, she’d developed feelings for Boone. Her stomach clenched at the thought of something happening to him because she’d gotten him involved in her problem.

“This is taking longer than the previous data.” Declan frowned at the laptop screen. I have a feeling this next part will be data rich and probably a more detailed encryption was used to protect what’s there.”

“So far, we have a former Mossad agent who is supposed to be dead, only she isn’t. Clearly your director knew about it and covered it up.” Boone wondered aloud why Gideon would do such a thing and risk his career. “The damage could be astronomical. At the very least, the director of Mossad could be removed from office. Worse, tried as a traitor.”

Ellie rejected the suggestion of her director’sinvolvement. “I know Gideon. He would never deliberately keep something like this a secret. He and I were close, but when I went to him for help, he told me he had to turn me in. There’s more to the story than we know. Maybe she’s deep undercover and the only way to make the cover believable was by faking her death.”

“It’s possible, I guess. You know him better than I do.” Boone couldn’t hide his doubts. “Someone, and I’m guessing it’s an enemy of Israel, has been watching him and has proof that she’s still alive and he knows it. They might believe there’s a play there for blackmail. What I don’t understand is why they included one of the top leaders of Syrian Intelligence.”

“I agree with Boone,” Eli interjected. “From what you’ve told us, Ellie, we have to assume the people coming after you are part of Syrian Intelligence. If so, then the photo of one of their leaders doesn’t add up.”

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