Chapter Eight #2
Jacob considered Summer for many long seconds, perhaps wondering how much to reveal.
“I guess you could say that most of the time you’re correct.
At the heart of it, these eco-terrorist groups all want to save the environment, similar to any other band of greenies,” he said evenly.
“But they’re not the same as the protesters who wave placards and chant for peace.
They can be far more aggressive, even resorting to violence.
They use economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop what they see as so-called exploitation.
So yes, in some cases they may be just as bad as the real terrorists.
” Jacob’s voice was now low and serious.
Summer looked a little stunned by Jacob’s revelations, so M?rten took up the line of inquiry.
“What exactly is this eco-terrorist group doing that’s stirred up a hornet’s nest in the FBI then?
” Much like Summer, he’d heard the term bandied about, but had no personal experience with them on the job.
A frisson of ice slid down his spine. Summer might not realize these groups could be dangerous, but the look on Jacob’s face told M?rten these guys might be trouble.
“The FBI has been keeping tabs on this particular group,” Jacob said. “They call themselves Earth In Crisis, or EIC, and have been linked to arson attacks on at least three industry sites and as many as six private houses of company CEOs.”
M?rten let out a low whistle. This faction was indeed badass if they were resorting to attacking ordinary citizens. That was usually a no-go zone for these groups, as it took away their sympathy vote in the eyes of the rest of the population.
Jacob continued, “I know most of this because every agent is required to memorize the top twenty people on our wanted lists.”
Which was much the same as in the Swedish police, M?rten thought, as he listened to Jacob go on.
“We believe there are at least three EIC members, possibly more. They’re a splinter group from another well-known eco-terrorist group, called ELF, or Earth Liberation Front, but EIC specifically targets large mining companies who they believe are making exorbitant profits by pillaging pristine natural environments. ”
Aha, at last here was the link they were looking for. M?rten sat forward again. “Have they made any threats to this gold company at Yellowstone?”
“No, not exactly,” Jacob replied. “But the EIC has had a worrying escalation in its offensives of late. Like I said, they’ve taken to targeting individuals, such as company CEOs.
A few months ago, the husband of an employee was badly injured in a fire caused by their arson attack while trying to rescue his two children.
Unfortunately, one child died from smoke inhalation. ”
Nikki gasped, halting in the task of retrieving Jacob’s hot chocolate from the microwave to stare at her boyfriend with a terrified gape.
Summer also caught her breath and covered her mouth. “Oh no,” she whispered.
M?rten enfolded her other hand with his, offering his comfort, forgetting all of his recently sworn promises not to touch her again.
This was a bad omen. If EIC were prepared to maim civilians and kill innocent children—even if it was accidental—to get their message across, well then…
The notion didn’t bear finishing. This group was not mucking about; they meant business.
“I thought eco-terrorists operated with a set of rules,” Nikki cut in indignantly, her face pale with shock as she returned to sit at the table.
“I’ve encountered a few groups throughout my career, when I’ve traveled to areas of ocean most under threat by human practices, and some of them can be overzealous, I agree.
But I always believed one of their hard-wired commandments was not to injure animals, people, or the environment in their quest for justice. ”
“It is,” Jacob agreed quietly. “Under normal circumstances. But this group is different. Their leader, Tyrone King, has developed extremist views. It all seems to stem from when the Trump administration opened up federal land to be used for mining leases again a few years back. A lot of federal land includes national parks and watershed areas, and if mines are allowed to go ahead—which it seems likely they will be—the quality of the water we drink and the survival of the forests and animals may be at risk. Tyrone has been extremely outspoken about these new rules, as have many other eco-terrorist groups. But Tyrone remains the most vocal and most persistent, becoming almost manic in his tirades. Which is why the FBI has been monitoring him. But six months ago he went underground, and we haven’t been able to track him since.
Which is also when the arson attacks started.
We think Tyrone might be one of the men in that photo you described. ”
“So how can you be positive that this Tyrone and his EIC are the ones carrying out the strikes?” M?rten queried, his hand still protectively covering Summer’s.
“We can’t. Not for sure,” Jacob replied, accepting his now-hot cup of cocoa from Nikki with a grimace.
“But when the FBI suspects something, or someone, it’s for a good reason.
They also believe he’s been planning another attack.
Something big. And you may have stepped right into the middle of it.
” Jacob leveled his gaze at Summer now as he continued.
“I know this is a lot to take in. And all of this is conjecture at the moment. My colleague said he would get back to me as soon as he confirms a few things. And I’ll need to bring Miller in on this after all.
But I think it’s prudent that you continue to stay here under our protection until we find out more. ”
Summer looked confused, then dubious, then rebellious. “But that could take days. Or weeks, even. I can’t ask you to do that for me.”
M?rten still had his hand over hers, and he tightened his grip slightly. “Summer, don’t be silly, you need to do this for your own safety,” he urged.
As if noticing for the first time that he was touching her, she yanked her hand out from beneath his, a little crease forming between her brows.
He was beginning to understand that wrinkle meant her stubborn streak was about to kick in, and he pulled his chair forward so that their knees made contact and she was now trapped between him and the table, unable to move with the wall at her back.
“Jacob knows what he’s talking about. You need to listen to him.
” M?rten wasn’t going to plead with her, not in front of Jacob and Nikki, but he could feel the urgency simmering inside him.
She didn’t trust him right now, not after the way he’d rejected her.
Hell, the fact she was shooting daggers at him with her eyes, she probably hated his guts.
But he was prepared to weather her dislike, embrace it even, if only she’d hear him out.
“Please promise me you’ll stay here, at least for the next few days.
” M?rten needed her to give him this assurance.
With his imminent departure back to Sweden looming, he needed to make sure she was going to be in safe hands.
And Jacob was the only person he truly trusted in this city, in this whole damned country, even, to do the job.
He watched several emotions swim across the dark pools of her eyes as she studied him.
“Are you okay with this?” Summer asked, looking at Nikki now.
“I mean, this is your house. What if this madman finds out I’m here and targets me here?
You could be in danger.” Underneath the table, where only M?rten could see, Summer was scrubbing her thumb across the palm of her other hand over and over.
It was the same habit he’d noticed back at her apartment.
Now he could see it was a mannerism brought on by stress.
She sat in her chair scowling at him as she waited for Nikki’s reply.
This time, it was Nikki’s turn to lay her hand over Summer’s, only now she didn’t pull away.
“My priority is to see you safe, Summer. And of course if you need to stay here, then you’re more than welcome.
I understand the risks, but I also trust Jacob with my life.
He won’t allow any harm to come to me. Or to you. If you’ll let him.”
Jacob nodded earnestly in Summer’s direction, then draped an arm around Nikki’s shoulders, tucking her under his shoulder in a comforting move that was also slightly possessive.
M?rten was struck by a sudden jolt of yearning as he watched Jacob show his complete support for his woman.
What would it be like to have someone to care about as deeply as Jacob did?
Someone who cared equally about him in return.
Summer lowered her gaze, humbled by Nikki’s compassion. And by Jacob’s determined offer to protect her. At last she said quietly, “I’m not saying no. But I need to go for a run. I need to clear my head and think about all this, if that’s okay?” She pushed her empty mug away and went to stand.
“Of course,” Nikki replied. She and Jacob stood as one, concern etched on both their faces. Jacob flicked M?rten an almost imperceptible glance, letting him know they were both thinking the same thing.
M?rten didn’t stand, however, knowing that he was still blocking Summer in at the table.
He checked the window. It was barely light outside.
He agreed with Jacob’s silent communication.
“I’ll come with you.” It wasn’t a question.
He was going to be her shadow, whether she liked it or not.
She could hate him as much as she wanted, but he wasn’t letting her out of this house alone.
Summer studied him for a long time, heavy lashes fringing her narrowed eyes, and it was all he could do to stop himself from being drawn in to her, to drown in those pools of emotion.
“Provided you can keep up with me then, police inspector,” she said with a derisive snort, snapping him out of his reverie.
“I’ll go and change,” he replied, pushing his chair back and moving out of her way. “Don’t go anywhere without me,” he commanded over his shoulder.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she replied, saccharine sweet.
But that tone didn’t fool him. He knew what she had in mind.
She was going to push him as hard as she could, to punish him, and he was going to have to run as if his life depended on it to keep up with her. Which was ironic, because maybe it did.