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Exhausted, Colin and the team piled into their vehicle to head back to the compound. Nick remained onsite with the Veritas team to help out with the investigation. But there was nothing the Shadow Lake team could do to aid in recovering forensics. Or the body. They were better off getting some shut-eye so they could be on their game tomorrow.

An ear-piercing alarm sounded on everyone’s phone.

Colin had his in hand and looked at the alert. “Floor it. We have an attempted hack of the security system at the compound.”

“A breach?” Reid pressed his foot to the gas pedal, and the vehicle climbed in speed.

“Not an actual breach. Let me look deeper.” Colin dug into the log files. “Someone tried to disable the east gate camera.”

“So they could breach undetected,” Dev stated.

“No other reason to disable it,” Colin said. “Unless we’re talking about one of the class participants who wants to go AWOL without us knowing about it. But they could just ask to leave so that doesn’t make sense. Unless, of course, they did something wrong, and they didn’t want us to discover it while they were still present.”

“Do we need to get Russ over there?” Ryan asked.

“Will probably take him as long to get there as us, but you never know,” Reid said. “Call him.”

Ryan made the call.

“I’m sure Micha got the alert, but I’m calling him, too,” Colin said. “No way I want him to head out to the gate and leave Brooklyn and our mom alone.”

“Eryn’s still with them,” Dev said.

“True, but not sure I’m good with that. I know her computer skills, but I don’t know her defensive skills.” Colin tapped Micha’s number. He wished he could trust Eryn to be capable, but he couldn’t. He wasn’t one to trust without evidence. Probably the reason he was struggling with his faith. He couldn’t trust God that everything would be okay with his mom when he had no evidence of it.

“I got the alert,” Micha said in way of answer. “What’s going on?”

Colin told him.

“Want me to check it out?” Micha asked.

“No. Stay with Brooklyn and my mom. Get them into the bathroom. It’s in the center of the cabin and doesn’t have windows.”

“Way ahead of you. Eryn already moved them in there and is standing duty outside the door.” Micha sucked in a breath. “I’ll take the front door, but would be better if we had someone at the back.”

Colin wished the same thing, but it was better to keep Eryn at the bathroom door where she could stop an intruder who got in from any direction. “Barricade the back door if you can. We’re five minutes out. Until then, I’ll monitor the camera feeds and let you know what I see.”

The many cameras covered most of the property but not the back side of his cabin. Still, he could see most of the property and would be able to tell if the gate was indeed breached.

“Hang on,” he told Micha. “I’ll pull up the feed now.”

He put Micha on speaker and switched over to the video feeds. He took some comfort that Micha was the guy back at the homestead, as he served as a weapons tech in the Army with Russ and was a top-notch marksman. If only he could clone Micha for the next four minutes.

He entered the security program, and the small screen filled with multiple camera angles. Too bad he didn’t have a larger screen so he could see them all at once. He would just have to go through them one at a time.

He started with the east gate, spotted movement. “We’ve got action outside the east gate. Someone running away. Wearing camouflage. Ski mask. Headed for the road.”

“Armed?” Reid asked.

Colin zoomed in. “Yeah, and looks like a closed laptop under his arm.”

“So likely the person who tried to hack the system,” Reid said.

“Likely.”

“Any way you can trace him if he skates before we get there?” Dev asked.

“I might be able to get some data on his IP address. He would have to be using cellular data out here, and that could lead to his account and an address.”

“I don’t like this.” Reid careened the vehicle around a curve and looked at his brother. “The lodge is too close to that gate. Get Megan on the phone. Tell her to be on alert.”

Colin felt Reid’s concern for his wife and daughters clear in the backseat. Like a physical cloud. The same cloud enveloping Colin for Brooklyn and his mom. And he wasn’t married to Brooklyn. He barely even knew her. So how much more was this eating at Reid?

He shifted to the next camera and caught additional movement. “Vehicle driving off at the road. Looks like a jacked-up pickup. Oversized tires. High up. I’ll try to get the plates.”

He zoomed in. Nothing. Moved to the next camera. Caught the tail end of the truck. Zoomed in again. More nothing. He moved two cameras down the road. Grabbed a screenshot of the front of the truck. Then the back on the next camera.

He slammed a fist into the back of Ryan’s seat. “No plates on the vehicle. None at all.”

“Dude,” Ryan said, ending the call. “Someone’s sitting in this seat.”

“Sorry, it’s just?—”

“I get it,” Ryan said. “You wanted something. Maybe he’ll turn off, and we’ll intercept the vehicle on this road.”

“Maybe,” Colin said, not expecting to have such luck. “Megan have any problems?”

“Nothing,” Ryan said. “But she wants Reid there now. She’s worried about the girls.”

“Understandable.”

“And I want to be there”—Reid clenched the wheel tighter—“so it’ll be my first stop. One of you can take over and drive down to the other cabin.”

Colin didn’t want to waste even a second of time before getting to Brooklyn, but he understood Reid’s need and would respect it. “When we get closer, I’ll open the gate remotely so we don’t have to stop.”

“Good plan.” Reid glanced in the mirror and gave a tight smile.

Dev looked between the seats. “I’ll take over driving to our place.”

Colin nodded at his brother. “Any problems there, Micha?”

“We’re good. I got this, bro.” His confidence took away a fraction of Colin’s concern.

Plan in place, they all fell silent. Colin continued to watch the feeds. The others were watching the road, looking for that jacked-up pickup.

“Get that gate open now,” Reid said.

Colin tapped the right buttons. “It’s open. No need to stop.”

“You better hope you’re right.” Reid whipped into the driveway, tires squealing.

“I’ll go in with Reid,” Ryan said, his body bouncing over the rutted drive, “then head home to be sure this guy didn’t decide to go to Pinetree.”

“Go check on your family.” Ryan lived at the next-door resort with his wife and young son, and Colin understood wanting to go home. If he had a family he would be doing exactly what Reid and Ryan were doing.

The vehicle bounced over ruts, and they flew through the open gate. Colin closed it behind them. Reid barreled ahead toward the large lodge that had been in the family for years and screeched to a stop out front, the back of the SUV fishtailing on the gravel drive.

He had his door open and was taking the wide steps two at a time, before the vehicle stopped rocking. Ryan slammed his vehicle door and charged behind him. Dev had bolted, too, and got behind the wheel, shifting into gear and winding their vehicle down the drive to their cabin. Colin prayed God had spared everyone from any harm.

Brooklyn’s body was tight with worry. Her muscles stiff and cramping. Tender to the touch. Stretching would help, but she wouldn’t show Sandy any hint of her stress. At least, she would do her best not to. Sandy didn’t need any additional tension, as it could further aggravate her lupus. Brooklyn would hate for this sweet woman to be penalized by Kane, who’d come after Brooklyn. Or at least it made sense that it was Kane who tried to breach the gate, as no one else in the compound had someone stalking them.

Sandy shifted on the closed toilet seat, her eyes glazed in pain.

“Is it time for more Tylenol?” Brooklyn asked.

She shook her head and put on a brave smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

“You’re not.” Brooklyn searched Sandy’s gaze. “You’re in pain. Where?”

Sandy held up her hands.

This wouldn’t do. Not if Brooklyn could do something about it. “Would it help if I got a hot washcloth and wrapped your hands in it?”

“I’ve never tried that, but heat sometimes feels good, so it might work.” Sandy gave a weak smile. “For a moment anyway until it loses its heat.”

“I’ll wrap a towel around the washcloth and can keep refreshing it too.” Brooklyn jumped up and went to the small linen closet by the door. She took out several washcloths and a few hand towels to have them all at the ready.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” Sandy said. “We’re in lockdown, this creep who’s been trying to kill you likely just tried to break in, and you’re worried about me and ready to help.”

Brooklyn got the water running. “It’s nothing. I already think of you as family, and since I’ve been away from mine for years, it feels good to have a connection.”

“Isn’t it amazing the connection God can provide in such a short time?” Sandy smiled. “I think of you as family too.”

Brooklyn let the water get as hot as she could take it, soaked the cloth, rang the fabric out, and then wrapped it around Sandy’s hands.

“Ooh, this is nice.” she gave a sincere smile.

Eryn knocked on the door. “Colin and Dev are approaching outside.”

Sandy let out a breath.

Brooklyn wrapped a towel around Sandy’s hands and held them. “Hopefully all is well, and we can get you to bed.”

“I’m tired, but I’m not sure I can sleep after all the excitement.” She leaned back. “Besides, I’d like to hear what Colin thinks is going on.”

Brooklyn wanted to hear, too, but she didn’t have a chronic disease that was in a flare-up. She wouldn’t argue with Sandy now, but once they were safe, she would broach the subject again.

A loud pounding sounded on the door.

“Open up, Brooklyn. It’s Colin.” His deep voice sent a wave of relief through Brooklyn. She twisted the lock and pulled the door open.

He ran his gaze over her from head to foot. “You okay?”

“Fine, but your mom’s fingers are painful, so I’m trying to warm them with a washcloth. Now that you’re here, I’ll get her to the couch and get the heating pad going.”

He held up a hand. “Not quite yet. I need you to stay here while I check the fence perimeter for any damage.”

“Damage?” She made sure to keep her voice down for Sandy’s sake when it wanted to skyrocket. “Do you think Kane got in?”

“No. Just taking every precaution.”

She let out a breath slowly so Sandy wouldn’t catch it. “Then can you bring the heating pad in here?”

“Sure thing.” He looked over Brooklyn’s shoulder at his mother. “Anything else you need or want, Mom?”

“For everyone to stop worrying about me.” She waved her wrapped hands. “Go do your thing. I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be back with the heating pad, and then I’ll let you know when it’s clear to come out.” He spun and marched away.

“Such a whirlwind.” Sandy stared at the door. “He’s always been an intense person.”

Brooklyn wanted to know more. “Even as a little kid?”

“No, not as a little kid.” She smiled as if memories were assaulting her. “He was easygoing and so joyful. Until his dad passed away. Then he thought he had to be the man of the house.”

“How old was he?”

“Nine, and Devan was seven.”

“That must’ve been hard.”

“I won’t lie.” Sandy rested her towel-wrapped hands on her knees. “It wasn’t easy. Especially since it was so sudden.”

“Do you mind if I ask what happened?”

“His dad was a firefighter.” Pain contorted her expression, and she closed her eyes. “Got trapped in a building and didn’t make it out.”

“Oh, wow. Wow. I’m so sorry.” Brooklyn rested her hand on Sandy’s arm. “My dad’s a firefighter too. Still active duty. He’s a captain now, so he doesn’t race into buildings as often as he used to, but I was always so afraid when he went to work and there was a fire.”

She opened her eyes. “Colin was the same, but before every shift, when his father said goodbye, he promised Colin that he would always come home.” Sandy bit her lip. “He shouldn’t have done that because he couldn’t promise such a thing. More than anything, it left Colin not trusting in others. Or trusting easily at all.”

Brooklyn surely understood that. Kane had done the same thing to her. And it explained some of Colin’s behavior. Maybe it could also explain why he wasn’t involved with a woman.

He returned with the heating pad, and she saw the wounded little boy at his father’s funeral. Oh, how she could imagine that loss. It had to hurt—cut him to the core. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and tell the little nine-year-old boy inside that it was okay, and he would be okay. She settled for offering a comforting look and squeezing his hand when he gave her the heating pad.

He studied her with concern at an intensity level she’d never seen someone direct at her before. “What was that for?”

She shrugged. “We just seem to have so much in common, I felt like doing it.”

“Okay.” He eyed her. “When I get back, you’ll have to tell me about these things.”

She nodded, though, honestly she didn’t want to have a personal conversation with him. The last thing she needed was to connect even more and feel even closer to the man who was worming his way into her heart without even trying.

Weapons in hand, Colin and Dev split up. Dev headed west. Colin headed east, as he wanted a good look at the gate in question. He walked the fencing until he reached the location where he’d seen the man on video and searched the metal for any sign of tampering.

Nothing. Not even a nick, much less a cut of the fence. He ran his flashlight over the ground looking for footprints. Nothing obvious. It hadn’t rained in a few days, so the ground was dry. Still, he would check out the other side of the fence in the daylight when he could get a better look and not trample over vital evidence. Then if he found footprints or anything else, he would get Sierra to process it.

He continued down the fence until he met up with Dev at the far end.

“Anything?” Colin asked.

“No. You?”

Colin shook his head and started back for the cabin, Dev falling into place at his side. “Our would-be intruder didn’t make it inside. He must’ve realized that he kicked off an alert, or he wouldn’t have taken off like that.”

Dev looked at Colin. “You think it’s this Kane guy who’s after Brooklyn?”

“Makes sense,” he said, thinking about it. “But it also doesn’t.”

Dev flashed a quick look at him. “Why not?”

“First, how did he know she was here?”

“I don’t know,” Dev said. “Trailed her from her apartment?”

“Nick says that didn’t happen. They didn’t have a car near them much less a tail.”

“Tracker then,” Dev said.

“Tarver had no idea where she lived before now, so he couldn’t have put a tracker on her phone or in her purse.”

Dev stopped and stared at him. “Would have to be on Nick’s vehicle, then. Tarver knows she’s friends with Nick, and he could’ve found out Nick would be at that dinner. Then he put a tracker on Nick’s vehicle while he was in the event and left the lead on the dark web that he knew would kick off an alert and hope it sent Nick to Brooklyn.”

“And Tarver could follow him,” Colin said, getting on board with his brother’s idea. “A good theory. Let’s find out if it holds weight.”

Colin dug out his phone and dialed Nick. “We had an attempted breach at our compound. Could be Tarver. Check your vehicle for a tracker.”

“Hold up.” Nick’s testy tone came over the speaker and echoed into the night. “Not so fast. You’re accusing me of leading him to your place.”

“Accusing, no,” Colin said, remaining calm and trying to diffuse the situation. “Suggesting it’s possible, yes.”

“Explain,” Nick demanded.

Colin shared Dev’s theory.

“Man, oh, man.” A long breath hissed over the phone. “I don’t want to think that happened, but it would make sense. Blake routinely checks our vehicles for tracking devices, but we haven’t scanned it since the dinner. I’ll check it and call you back.”

Colin stowed his phone and wondered if he was off base here in suggesting someone like Nick could’ve brought danger to the compound.

“Our theory really does make sense,” Dev said as if sensing Colin’s uneasiness.

“Yeah, except Tarver is like this super hacker. I can’t see him making a mistake like this.”

“He’s human.” Dev started walking again. “He could’ve been overeager because he was so close to getting to Brooklyn.”

“Right, but even if he did manage to breach the fence, he would’ve had to have gotten through all of us to get to her.”

“Not if he managed a surprise breach.”

“True.” The mere thought sent a wave of panic over Colin as he reached the steps to the cabin.

Dev yawned. “It’s late. We should get some sleep and debrief in the morning.”

Colin glanced around the wide expanse of the property. “No sleep for me. I’ll be carefully reviewing the security feeds to see if we recorded anything that can lead us to Tarver.”

To lead them to the creep stalking the woman he’d come to care for.