Page 40 of Covert Past

“I don’t know. Maybe they saw the damage and called a friend to pick them up.”

Boone wasn’t buying it. “Wouldn’t they have checked in with you first?”

Declan rubbed the back of his neck. “You’d think. I left them a message, unless they didn’t get it because of the weather.” He appeared worried about his friends, with good cause. “It’s almost daylight, and the weather is clearing. I’ll keep trying them. If we don’t get an answer by time the sun rises, I say we find a way inside.”

Boone agreed. Something was off.

As they walked back to the cabin, Declan tried Robert Petersons’ number again. He stopped suddenly. “Robert?”

Everyone gathered around.

Declan put the call on speaker. “Buddy, I’ve been worried about you.”

Robert’s laugh sounded forced. “Sorry for the concern. We left as soon as the storm broke.”

Declan’s brows rose. “How’d you get out of here? Your boat’s destroyed.”

“Carter. He was on the mainland with our second boat. How’s the damage to your place? I didn’t realize you and Wynona were here, otherwise we’d have offered you a ride.”

Declan didn’t correct him, which drew Boone’s attention. “We’re safe. Glad you made it off the island okay.”

Robert thanked him and ended the call.

“Something’s off.That boat that ran ashore. It didn’t look like theirs,” Declan said once the call was over. “I’m pretty sure he’s lying.

Chapter Fifteen

Ellie had thought the same. “Why do you think he’d lie to you?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to call Carter. Maybe he can shed some light on what’s happening.” Before he could make the call, his cell phone rang. “It’s Carter.” Declan looked around at each of them before answering. The noise in the background seemed to back up the story his father gave. “Hey, brother. I was just talking to your dad.”

“Yeah, I know. Dad’s here with me. His battery’s low so he asked me to call you back and make sure I didn’t need to come back for you.”

Declan blew out a breath. “No, man, we have help on the way. I’m glad you were close enough to pick up your mom and dad. Where are the rest of the kids?”

“They didn’t come with my parents. They’re all getting older. Most are busy with college or work. It’s a rare thing to get us all together on the island anymore.”

“I get that. Have a safe trip back, Carter.” Declan signed off and stuffed the phone into his pocket.

Even though Ellie didn’t know Declan’s friends, something about the story didn’t ring true.

A search inside Declan’s cabin proved the structure had withstood the storm without suffering any damage.

Once the storm-proofing was removed, Eli called JT and placed the phone on speaker so they all could listen and respond.

“How are you all holding up?” JT had answered first ring. “I’m here with Bryce and the rest of our family members. Things got a little hairy here. We were expecting the boardwalk to flood, but it looks like we’re spared. Declan, Wynona is fine, and so is Sashi.”

“That’s good to hear.” Declan updated them on the damage to the island. “We’ll know more in the morning. I’m hoping the other side of the island didn’t suffer as much damage as we did over here. The pier is gone. At first light, I’ll check to make sure we have a place for you to dock.”

“Sounds good. Anything new on the encryption?”

Declan told him yes. “And it’s even more confusing than we initially thought.” He shared what had been uncovered. “The encryption process is over. That’s all we have.”

JT sighed. “Gideon’s fingerprints are all over this. Ellie, you know Gideon better than anyone. What are your thoughts on his loyalty?”

The Gideon she knew would never betray his country, yet if the past seven years had taught her anything, it was things were not what they seemed. She did her best to stay unbiased as she explained Gideon had been a war hero who worked his way up through the ranks to become director of Mossad.

“I can’t see him betraying Israel for money.” Ellie pulled out the chair next to Boone. He reached for her hand under the table and clasped it.

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