Jeb

Chapter 1

Beneath the velvet cloak of night, the water was a canvas of inky blackness. The night sky had the benefit of moonlight and stars, but immersed under the surface, the only illumination was through his underwater light.

Jeb Torres’s movements were fluid and synchronized, his form blending seamlessly with the others swimming alongside him. The presence of his fellow Keepers, who were also former SEALS—Rick Rankin, Chris Andrews, and Frederick Poole—was a silent comfort as they glided through the waters at his side. They hadn’t served on the same SEAL teams but understood the needs of the mission just as they would have in their former military lives. The weightlessness of the water belied the seriousness of their mission. If he could see the expressions behind their masks, he knew they would mirror his own—focused and unyielding.

In his neoprene dry suit, he felt a connection with the sea. The suit hugged his body like a second skin, bending and flexing with each deliberate stroke he made. The rash guard and leggings provided a barrier against the cold that threatened to penetrate and seep into his bones. Glad they were closer to the surface than deeper, he knew the water temperature was forty-five degrees. The gloves, hood, flippers, and mask kept him comfortable. This was a far cry from the discomforts he experienced in frigid waters during his SEAL training days. Those memories were now distant echoes, a stark contrast to his current mission. This was a leisurely swim compared to that training.

But those days were over. Now, as a civilian working for Lighthouse Security Investigation West Coast, he not only had the latest military-grade equipment to use but also had the opportunity to take on a personal mission. And this was personal.

For months, the LSIWC computer programs had suffered interference from an elusive nemesis. He’d been stymied as to who was perpetrating the intrusion. Granted, the tampering hadn’t hindered the effectiveness of the programs, but it had remained an irritating mystery. One he’d pledged to investigate and mitigate. In the silent depths of the ocean, Jeb felt the weight of this mission—not just a task to be completed but a challenge to be fought and won.

His boss, Carson Dyer, started the West Coast branch of LSI after joining forces with Mace Hanover from Maine. Mace brought former Special Forces members together to create the original Lighthouse Security Investigations. The success of the two branches meant they considered expanding and were already in talks with another leader Mace had served with years before.

They embarked on assignments that ranged from security designs to individual security and investigations, often involving governmental contracts. Each member of LSIWC, while having their own specialties, worked together on most missions, but Jeb was particularly adept at their computer security programs. He often worked in the field but supplied support when the others were on assignment. He’d taken it as a personal affront when his programs were hacked and hadn’t discovered the cause.

The interference started slowly… initially, he noticed another signal coming in with a security system they had designed for a house that wasn’t yet occupied. It struck him at the time that none of the programs for currently lived-in houses were affected. The problems continued but never in a way that was detrimental to a current mission or the danger of a Keeper. But someone was fucking with him, and he’d been determined to discover the cause.

Finally, he’d narrowed the signal to a tiny, almost uninhabited island off the Canadian coast. Kunghit Island, a fifteen-mile-long island, was in the province of British Columbia. The only inhabitants were at the northern tip, where a few houses stood, offering lodging to touring kayakers.

But they were interested in the southernmost tip, where someone had taken up residence. His fellow Keeper Natalie had captured satellite images of a helicopter hovering over a small building that had once been a lighthouse. Now decommissioned and, from all appearances, crumbling and in poor condition, it didn’t even capture the attention of anyone seeking shelter while on a boating excursion.

Due to her years as an Army Delta support team member, Natalie was more adept at pulling up and interpreting satellite images than any other Keeper. She had discerned the helicopter lowered a basket to the island, disengaged the device, and then flew away. She’d grinned with glee when announcing that someone must be there, and that was how they obtained supplies. Not only was someone there but they also had connections with others who were able to assist them in their lonely existence.

But when Natalie tried to ascertain the helicopter”s owner, she was furious to find that the trail was obliterated. Realizing it was luck that they were able to have the snippet of the satellite image, it appeared the island’s occupant had finally made a mistake.

With that information, Carson had commissioned them to discover the secrets of the island and why the hell someone targeted them for computer interference.

As Jeb and the others neared their destination, their formation tightened. Brief and precise hand signals were exchanged and used to coordinate the next moves, a silent language that spoke volumes, defining their brotherhood and commitment to the mission. His heart maintained its steady rhythm, but a current of excitement pulsed through his veins, aiding in keeping him warm.

Above them, the moon hung like a silver medallion, casting a faint glow over the choppy waters as the group rose to the surface. The dark silhouette of the island loomed ahead, a shadowy sentinel. Jeb’s gaze remained locked on the terrain, his razor-sharp focus fixed on the shadows. His fellow Keepers moved with a fluidity that belied the roughness of the waters, moving to where their feet could gain purchase on the underwater rocks. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks reached his ears now that his head was above water. The rough and unwelcoming shoreline was exactly what was needed—a natural cover for their stealthy approach.

Whoever was on the island, Jeb wanted their approach to be undetectable. Thanks to Natalie’s abilities, she’d jammed the security set up for that area of the island. The fact that there was security told the Keepers that whoever was there wanted their privacy protected. Lips curving, Jeb couldn’t help but grin at the surprise the inhabitant was about to receive.

Jeb’s muscles stretched as he reached the rocks with a final, powerful stroke, and his gloved hand found purchase on the rough surface. Burying the grunt, he hoisted himself upward. His keen eyes scanned the immediate area, seeing nothing unexpected as he made his way onto the small island. The other three Keepers emerged from the ocean like silent shadows next to him.

Once safely on the shore, they deftly shed their fins and masks, stowing them in their tactical waterproof packs before shoving their feet into lightweight wet-shoe boots. Now snugly settled on their faces, the night vision goggles illuminated the path ahead as they climbed farther onto the craggy rocks. A dense forest of towering trees lay ahead, but they traversed through it with practiced ease, forging their own path as they made their way toward the small building on a crest that had once served as a lighthouse many years ago.

The night was shrouded in uncertainties, but a quick glance at the others assured him they were in their element. Whoever had dared to fuck with LSIWC’s computer systems would soon realize their grave mistake.

They clambered over the uneven terrain where tree roots and undergrowth replaced the rocky shoreline. Drawing closer to the dark building, he took his first look at the exterior. The stucco was in a state of decay, crumbling patches exposing the bare brick underneath. It was hard to fathom that anyone could endure living here for an extended period. A tiny crack near a second-floor window sent a sliver of yellow light toward them, drawing Jeb like a beacon. The window was covered with wooden boards nailed in place. It kept out prying eyes but also kept the interior dark.

The others fanned out around the small square building and reported that the main door was the only entrance into the old lighthouse besides the small window. The low hum of a generator on the backside of the building proved that a resident needed electricity. Two rainwater barrels were stacked onto a small wooden platform against one side, with PVC pipes disappearing into the weathered wall of the building.

After confirming their presence was undetectable with Natalie, he turned the doorknob and slipped inside, quietly removing his night vision goggles. The softly illuminated room came into focus. His gaze swept over the tiny interior, noting where the paint had peeled off the brick walls and the bare and well-worn wooden floor. As he assumed, the wooden slats covering the window kept most of the light from seeping out while also keeping the sunlight from entering. Whoever lived here must have had a preference for darkness. Or to keep out curious eyes.

But puzzling incongruences also met his gaze. There was undeniable evidence of someone living here even though the building seemed uninhabitable. A small bed was pushed into one corner, adorned with a handmade quilt neatly tucked over the mattress. A bright blue pillow was propped against the wall. His chin jerked back slightly at the sight. Someone with military training might continue to make their bed with tight corners, but the aesthetics of a colorful quilt and pillow hinted at a more personal touch.

His top teeth bit into his bottom lip as he inhaled but made no noise as he continued to scrutinize the interior living space. A small refrigerator and hotplate perched on a tiny counter in another corner near a table with a lone chair pushed in place. A metal sink stood alone, with a pipe leading from high on the wall, and he assumed it was connected to one of the outside rainwater barrels. To the side of the pipe was a shelf that offered a view of a few dishes and pots, all clean and precisely stacked. Several wooden crates filled with dry goods were stacked meticulously along the wall. Jeb couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the abundance of ramen noodle packages filling one crate.

His brow furrowed at the sight of the meticulously organized living space. A door near the foot of the bed was open, exposing a compact bathroom. Stepping closer, he observed a small camping toilet and a shower head that was attached to a pipe leading outside. Assuming the water also came from the rainwater collection, he could only imagine how cold the shower would be.

In the other corner, a wooden staircase beckoned to a second level. He stealthily moved to the bottom step and peered upward, signaling his intent to the others. A faint bluish glow came down the stairwell, casting shadows, but no noises were heard or movements detected.

Making no sound while ascending, he felt Poole at his back. At the halfway landing, he paused before continuing. Before his head could rise above the flooring, he slid a small tube with a camera on the end to peek just above the step leading to the next level. From the screen on his wrist, he spied several portable tables set up around the room with multiple wires leading downward to three uninterrupted power supplies. Shifting the camera, he saw the tables laden with computer equipment and monitors. The chair”s bottom rollers were visible, along with two legs ending in thick socks, but the lone resident remained out of sight. With their back to him, he pulled back the camera and let the others know he was proceeding with hand signals.

Jeb bounded up the final steps with a sense of urgency, his earlier concern for stealth abandoned. Poole moved to his left while Chris stationed himself at the top of the stairs, leaving Rick downstairs to cover any escape routes they hadn’t discovered.

The room erupted with a screech as the lone occupant abruptly swiveled around in the chair. A long braid whipped over their shoulder. One hand flew to their chest as the other jerked off their headphones.

A woman stared back, eyes wide and mouth open. A woman? Staring in return, Jeb struggled to grasp why a solitary woman resided on the inhospitable tip of an island, working on computers that were fucking with LSIWC’s programs.

“Damn,” Poole whispered, his voice filled with astonishment.

“Damn,” Chris breathed softly from his position behind Jeb.

Dragging his hand over his nearly shorn head, Jeb inhaled deeply as his gaze roved over the woman. A neat braid cascaded over her shoulder, the ends reaching down her chest. A few stray tendrils framed her face, and with the computer monitors behind her, the backlight created a halo effect. Her dark hair glowed with a blue-black hue. Her face was in shadow in the absence of other light sources in the room. Her lips had initially parted as she cried out but now pinched together. In the dim illumination, her eyes appeared too large for her heart-shaped face, but the thick black eyeglasses perched on her nose may have made them appear wider than they really were.

Clad in an oversized sweatshirt and pants that concealed her body, it was obvious from her exposed wrists that she was thin. Her chin lowered as she slipped her glasses down her nose and pulled them completely off, laying them on the table. Her chest heaved as she breathed heavily, and then she pushed to a stand. The room had little available space, with the computer tables lining the walls and the three large Keepers standing nearby. As she stood, he realized just how petite she was. She’d barely come to his shoulders if she were to stand closer to him.

“What the fuck is going on?” Rick asked, his footsteps suddenly halting on the stairs.

Jeb had no doubt that as soon as Rick had seen the woman, he’d been stunned by the unexpected sight… like the rest of them. Never taking his eyes off her, Jeb threw out his hand toward the bank of computers. “Not a bad question to start with. What the fuck is going on here?”

She remained quiet, and he pressed, his tone becoming more assertive. “Let me make it perfectly clear to you. We’re here to put a stop to whatever you’re doing. You’ve fucked with our programs for the last time. You might as well start talking because there’s no getting out of this for you.”

Her tongue darted out to moisten her bottom lip. He dragged his gaze from her shadowed face to the computer screens behind her and around the room. Some displayed lines of code, while others held maps, and one in the corner was paused on an old movie. A soft snort escaped at the evidence of her need for entertainment.

She flinched ever so slightly at the noise he’d emitted. Remaining quiet, he stepped closer to the computer screen filled with lines of code. Given time, he felt sure he could decipher what she was working on and how it tied into LSIWC. But at a quick glance, it appeared to be code hacking into one of the largest search browsers. Cocking his head to the side, he asked, “You aren’t doing this on your own, nor for yourself. Who the fuck are you working for?”

She started to speak, but the words were barely audible. Her voice was scratchy, as though not used recently. She swallowed, then licked her lips again. Trying once more, she managed to speak. “Thank God you finally came.”

Jeb glanced at Poole, who offered an imperceptible shake of his head. Staring at the woman, Jeb hardened his voice. “You were expecting us?”

“I hoped.” Her words were barely a whisper.

“Maybe you finally just made one mistake too many,” he bit back, not willing to admit she had lured them there.

Her head tilted to the side as she appeared to study him. “Maybe it just took you a long time to recognize the clues I was leaving.” Her words were biting, but her soft voice continued to give evidence of unuse.

“Are you a prisoner here?” he asked.

Her lips pressed together again, but it was Chris who replied. “Who the hell would voluntarily agree to work under these conditions?”

Jeb stepped closer and to the side, no longer willing to stare at the shadows covering her face. As she turned to face him, the darkness was chased away, and her face became awash with the monitors’ lights.

He noted the pale skin, almost translucent in the light, and wondered if she spent any time in the sun. Her eyes stayed on him. As he stared at her icy-blue eyes, he detected a violet ring around the blue. Pale blue eyes with a purple ring. He’d seen those eyes before but could hardly process the significance of what he was seeing.

“Hello, Jebediah,” she whispered.

The oxygen left the room as he gasped, his eyes wide. “Holy fucking shit. What the fuck?”

“You know her?”

Jeb was barely aware of Chris’s question as he continued to stare into the eyes he had never expected to see again. Waves of memories crashed over him, each one more assaulting than the last.

“Jeb?” Poole’s sharp voice cut through the fog, filling Jeb’s mind.

“Uh… yeah…” His gaze tore from the woman’s face over to Poole, seeing his teammate”s brow-lifted expression of concern. Jerking his eyes back to the room’s occupant, he noted her stance. Her arms crossed over her stomach as though to ward off any unpleasantness. It was a stance he remembered well. Her name fell from his lips. “Skylar.”