Page 17 of Stone Coast (Tyson Wild Thriller)

T here was a small button camera hidden on the head of a screw on a cabinet in the galley. This thing was tiny. It was a cellular device and sent footage over the network. There was another listening device under the table.

I didn’t know who was watching me, but it gave credence to Tyson’s story.

There could have been more, and my cellular devices were likely compromised.

We climbed out of the cabin and into the cockpit. But there was nowhere safe to talk on the boat.

The moon glowed the marina and a few clouds drifted in the night sky. A gentle breeze blew across the boat, and there was an eerie calmness about the night. It was an odd juxtaposition to the earlier chaos.

We stepped to the dock and strolled through the marina. Tyson’s watchful eyes were ever vigilant. But there was a subtleness about it. He took in his surroundings with relaxed, casual glances.

“Now they know you’re onto them,” he said.

“How long do you think those cameras have been there?”

Tyson shrugged. “Maybe a long time, but I think you would have found them before now. The girl I know would have done routine sweeps. You’d have found them.”

“Tell me more about this girl you knew.”

“Smart, capable, funny, difficult.”

I gave him a flat look.

“But worth the difficulty,” he assured with a grin. “For the most part.”

I smacked his arm playfully, like I’d done it a thousand times before. “What happened between us?”

He looked at me, staring deep into my eyes, probably wondering if that was a can of worms he wanted to open. “That’s a story for another time.”

I didn’t push the issue. “What happens now?”

“When we get back to the boat, I’m going to make a pot of coffee and take watch.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re going to stay up all night?”

“In case you forgot, somebody tried to kill you tonight.”

“We don’t know that for certain. Like you said. It could have been random.” I think I wanted that to be true, but knew better .

“You’re going to get a call from Ross, if you haven’t already. He’s going to want you to come in for a debrief.”

“What do I do?”

“Talk to him. Tell him you don’t remember a thing about your past.”

“I don’t.” I paused. “I’m clearly not useful to the agency or anyone else right now.”

“The question is, are you a liability?”

I didn’t have to think hard to come to the conclusion that, yes, I was a liability.

It was at that moment when a black SUV pulled into the parking lot. Both our eyes were on it as it drove around to the dock. Ross hopped out of the passenger seat, and two men in navy suits climbed out of the back seat and accompanied him. The driver stayed in the vehicle.

Tyson was ready for anything. So was I. We were both a little on edge.

Ross flashed a disarming smile. “Thank God you’re okay!” He breathed a relieved breath as he approached. “I saw you on the news. I tried to call, but you didn’t pick up, so I thought I’d check on you.”

“How thoughtful,” I said.

He gave a sympathetic frown. “I’m so sorry about Grayson. He seemed like a good man.” His eyes found Tyson.

“Ross, this is Deputy Tyson Wild with Coconut County.”

They shook hands .

Ross’s two associates hung back, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Ross said to Tyson. “Would you excuse us?” He whispered to me, “I think it’s time we talk.”

My eyes flicked to Tyson, then back to Ross. “Yes, I think we need to.”

“Why don’t you come with us? We can take you somewhere safe. Secure.”

I looked at Ross, then the two men behind him. The driver waited with the engine running, his eyes constantly scanning for threats. “I don’t want to go anywhere right now. I’m comfortable here. Tyson is staying with me tonight.”

“Oh, good. Good,” Ross said, trying to act supportive but clearly annoyed. Then he said to me, “Let’s take a walk.”

I gave a hesitant nod of agreement.

Ross motioned to his associates to stay behind.

My eyes connected with Tyson’s for an instant, looking for his approval, which he gave with a subtle nod.

Ross and I strolled away from the others while Tyson squared off against the suits.

“I’m sorry you’ve suffered such a tragic loss. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now—confused, alone, helpless.”

“I’m uncertain,” I said with more than a hint of defiance. I wasn’t alone or helpless.

“How’s your memory?” Ross asked. “Is anything coming back to you? ”

I shook my head.

He stared deep into my eyes, looking for signs of deception. “I think you’ve figured out by now that you’re probably not in IT sales.”

I nodded.

“You’re starting to realize that you’re different.”

I nodded again.

“I’m assuming that tonight, you reacted on instinct, fell back on your training, and neutralized the threat.”

“Training?”

Ross dug into his pocket and pulled out his credentials. He was, in fact, with the CIA. “Does this ring any bells?”

“No.”

“But it doesn’t surprise you.”

“No.”

“You work for me. We’re a Special Activities Group.”

“Special Activities?”

“Our mission is wide and varied. Off the books.”

“Did Grayson know?”

Ross shook his head. “What have you told Tyson?”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“What have you discussed?”

“He's been trying to help me put the pieces together. ”

"Has he been successful?”

"You keep asking the same thing, and I keep telling you I have no recollection of my past.”

"I'm sorry. I know this is difficult. I just need to assess your status.”

"You need to determine if I'm a threat,” I said.

"You're no doubt aware that deep down inside, you possess sensitive information. Information that some would go to great lengths to get.”

"Nobody's getting any information from me," I assured.

Ross smiled. “That's exactly what I like to hear. But I need to be sure. Right now, you are an unknown. Are you the same person that you were before the accident? Do you have the same personality? The same loyalties?”

His concerns were exactly what Tyson said they would be.

“I haven’t changed.”

A disarming smile tugged his lips. "I'm sure. But I need to be certain. You understand.”

I nodded.

"I need you to come in for a full debrief. We’ll do a polygraph, ask you questions, assess your situation. Nothing to worry about.”

"I have questions.”

"I'm sure you do.”

"What happened tonight? Was somebody targeting me? Or Grayson? ”

"We don't know, but I can speculate.”

"I'm listening.”

Ross took a breath and stared deep into my eyes. The wheels turned. How much should he reveal? How much could I handle? “The simplest explanation is often the most likely. A standard home invasion. They were looking to rob the home.”

I hadn’t ruled that possibility out, but given my previous incident, this was starting to seem like more than just bad luck.

“Of course, you’ve been in numerous operations and made your share of enemies. This could be some form of retaliation, but I doubt it. These were street thugs.”

“Have you ID’d the assailant yet?” I asked, trying to ascertain just how much he knew or was willing to share.