“We’ve got a decoy computer system set up because of the blackmail and threatening letters I’ve received. The Navy’s been planning to feed the suspects bad intelligence in hopes of getting whoever was behind this to out themselves. We believed it was larger than just a lone wolf. If we can determine some of the players, there’d be a huge break in the case.”
“Given the number of gunmen that breached the ship, it’s clearly a bigger threat than one person.”
The admiral nodded. “It’s a well-organized group. Domestic terrorism is the current theory. These people are here in the U.S. or have contacts that are. It’s not just info they’ve gleaned online. They had photos of my daughter walking around her college campus. They had my wife and son grocery shopping. My family is being tracked and targeted. The threats had been de-escalating until tonight.”
“What can we do?” Raptor asked with a frown.
“I’ll speak with your commanding officer. We’ve been keeping knowledge about the blackmail to a select few, but the whole damn world will know about this incident by tomorrow.”
“We’ll do whatever we can,” Troy assured the admiral.
Admiral Rice cleared his throat. “None of the NCIS agents onboard tonight were held with the rest of the men. Did you find them?”
Troy and Blake exchanged a glance. The fact that they hadn’t been discovered was troubling. Add that to the blood that had been found on the ship’s deck? Troy clenched his jaw. It looked like they’d lost some good men.
“No, sir,” Raptor said. “The yacht will be thoroughly searched when we dock. They’ll send a separate dive team out in the morning as well. The gunman who jumped is also missing. There was blood on the deck and signs of a struggle.”
“God damn it,” the admiral muttered. “Are we cleared to head back to the pier? I need to go check on my wife. And then we’ve got a hell of a lot of work to do.”
Chapter 13
Caitlyn rubbed her head and groaned the next morning. She had a splitting headache and was exhausted beyond all measure. After being brought back to the pier the night before, she’d been taken to the hospital and checked out. The wounds on her wrists were treated but weren’t nearly as bad as they could have been. She’d been interviewed by the police and had a meeting with another investigator tomorrow.
By the time Harper had picked her up from the emergency room and dropped her off at home, it had been three in the morning.
Glancing at her clock, Caitlyn realized it was already eleven a.m. She headed straight into her bathroom and took a ridiculously long, hot shower. She’d been too tired last night to do anything but sleep, but now, she just wanted to be clean and wash the entire memory of last night off her.
She watched as suds from her shampoo washed down the drain. She felt like a worn-out, exhausted mess, but at least she was a step closer to normalcy.
Her phone buzzed on the bathroom counter, and after she stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself, she realized she had a text from an unknown number.
Hi Butterfly. Any chance you’re up for some company? I have your purse from the yacht.
She flushed as she stood there in a towel, hair sopping wet, re-reading his text. Of course, he couldn’t see her. It was a text message. But she was naked in her bathroom. When Troy had said he’d call, she hadn’t expected to hear from him the next day. Especially not this morning.
Was he just coming by because he felt obligated? Maybe he’d helped gather everyone’s personal belongings or something.
But…no.
He’d kissed her last night—only gently, against her forehead, but goodness. She’d been in too much shock to even react to that. He was a big, tough, alpha male who’d literally swooped in and rescued her. He’d had other things to do—no doubt—but he’d stayed at her side until she climbed off that yacht.
Yes! But I just woke up.
Her phone buzzed with Troy’s reply.
Good. You needed the rest. How about in 30 minutes? I’ll bring bagels and coffee.
Bagels and coffee? Meaning…he was planning to stay? Or…?
Caitlyn looked into the bathroom mirror at the dark circles under her eyes. There was no way she’d look decent anytime today. She might as well let him see her at her worst and then that would be that. He’d probably abandon his idea of asking her out to dinner. She did need her purse and wallet though.
Sure. As long as the coffee is iced, pretty please!
His reply came right away.
Sure thing, Butterfly. Already have your address, so see you soon. xx
Her heart pounded in her chest. Were those little “X’s” symbolizing kisses? Or was it a typo? Had he fat-fingered his phone and accidentally sent them?
She was overthinking this. Overthinking it in every way imaginable. He was doing her a favor and bringing over some food.
Running a comb through her red waves, she decided to just let them air dry. They’d be decent enough by the time he arrived. Moving to her bedroom, she pulled out black yoga pants and a comfy, long top. It wasn’t fancy and certainly didn’t scream “date,” but it was the morning after she’d been taken hostage. She wanted comfortable clothes. She put on minimal makeup—just a little mascara and lip gloss. With her red hair, her eyelashes looked almost nonexistent without mascara. She added a touch of blush just for good measure. Otherwise she was as pale as a ghost.
Hurrying into the living room of her apartment, she quickly tidied up. She kept things neat in general, but in case Troy was actually coming inside, she needed it to look presentable.
Exactly thirty minutes after he’d texted, there was a knock
