Chapter 6

• Taggart watched Deva, his eyes searching her face. Was he looking for fear or disgust from her? He wasn’t going to find it. “You don’t have to wear turtlenecks and hide them.” She told him while holding his look.
• His expression lightened. “I do in public. Many do not wish to see such things.”
• Deva shrugged. “I don’t care what others are hung up on. It’s none of my business.”
• He smiled at her like she’d just told him the most wonderful thing. “It makes my heart happy to hear you speak such things.”
• Deva smiled back at him and then turned to check out the island. “Are we going to go all the way around it?”
• “Yeah.” Slater slowed the boat. “Calum wants to know if there’s a less obvious place to anchor the boat and get on it tomorrow.”
• Calla turned more. “I’ll get some pictures.” She held her phone in front of her so it wouldn’t look as obvious if anyone were watching them.
• Slater turned gradually so they were traveling alongside the island, but far enough out that it would look like they were just going around it.
• “Where are you from, Taggart?” Slater asked. “Your accent…”
• Taggart chuckled. “Is a mess, ja.” He leaned back against the rail as if he was just sitting there soaking up the sun. “My clan moved many times to different regions and country,” he glanced at the other man, “so I speak many parts of languages, no just one.” He grinned. “My accent is mixed up.”
• “You speak pretty good English.” Slater turned the boat to go around the end of the island.”
• “It is hard to change the words I think in my head to English words to speak, but I will get good at it.”
• “I’m just damn glad you and your team have joined our cause, Taggart. It’s time to end this.”
• Taggart turned and looked at the island. “We will end it for always.”
• Deva watched him check out the island. He was a very honorable man. She glanced at the scars again. He’d gone through things most she knew could never imagine.
• When she reached his face, he was watching her. He winked at her, and she felt her cheeks heat. Shifting in the seat, she looked at the island and forced herself to focus on it.
• There weren’t many places where it would be easy to get on it. She could see no sign of any buildings or anything that would lead anyone to believe there were people on it. Fifteen hours from now, there wouldn’t be people on it.
• ~
• By dinner time, everyone was busy packing up and prepping for the morning. Everything had to be taken to the docks, unnoticed and put on the yacht that would be their transport out of this area.
• They were still waiting to hear from Lars about his findings and Jett’s team about the camp. Deva hoped it would be good news. If neither were found before morning—it would postpone going to the island—none of the team wanted that. Tension was high as everyone was fixated and focused on their part of the job tomorrow.
• “Jett is on the phone,” Illias called out.
• Deva set the bag by the door and went into the sitting room. Several of the others were there.
• “—it was definitely the camp, Calum,” Jett said.
• “No trace of anyone?”
• “None. They left in a hurry. The doors are open. Supply rooms cleared out in a hasty manner.”
• “They took the boys to the island.” Asher was leaning against the wall.
• “Most likely.” Calum looked at the floor for a moment. “Jett, sweep the site for anything of use to us intel-wise and then hold. I’ll call Devin and see what he wants done after that.”
• “Will do. We can come to help with the island in the morning if needed.”
• “I’ll let you know.” Calum nodded to Illias to end the call. He stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and stared at the wall for a moment. Turning, he looked around and then stopped at Taggart. “Have you heard from Lars yet?”
• Taggart shook his head. “He say by time the darkness come.”
• Calum nodded and then glanced out the window. “Let me know as soon as…”
• Taggart’s phone ringing made everyone in the room pause. He answered it quickly. The first few things he said were in another language, then he nodded and tapped his phone screen. “He has found observation place.”
• “Yes, it is here.” His accent wasn’t the same as Taggart’s.
• Calum went over and stood in front of Taggart. “How many are there?”
• “Is five. It looks to me that they are getting prepared for something.”
• Calum exchanged a look with Taggart. “They’re leaving?”
• “They are putting boxes in the truck,” Lars stated.
• “I need you to text your location to Illias. We’ll send another flier to you.” He glanced at Illias. “Get Gideon on the phone.” Illias nodded and picked up his phone.
• “Okay. Yes. I stay behind big rocks until he is here. Do you want us to e-limin-ate them?”
• Calum rubbed the back of his neck. “No, not right now. I want to know what they’re up to.” He looked at Taggart. “They need to be dealt with by dawn though.”
• “I can do this. Is only five, and they are not big like me.” Lars chuckled.
• Taggart grinned and nodded to Calum. “If you send your Gideon, no problem.”
• Calum nodded. “Okay. Send your location to Illias and wait for Gideon to get there.”
• “I will do this.” Lars agreed.
• “Okay. Call if they leave.”
• “Wait. Three are leaving now. They just go into the truck.”
• Calum sucked in a deep breath. “Can you go up and watch where they’re going?”
• “I can do this. My owl’s eyes very good.”
• “Okay. Let us know. We’re sending Gideon now.”
• “Yes. Okay. Goodbye.” The line went quiet.
• Taggart put the phone in his pocket. “Lars is very, very good at what he does.” He nodded.