Page 79 of Shielding Instinct

The staffer jotted, “Jenny + 3 children.” She looked up. “Have you seen them today? Do you know where they might have gone? We’re collecting the information for the authorities.”

“I saw them this morning. I don’t know about their plans. Sorry. Just while we’re here,” Petra pointed toward the supply cart behind the woman. “Could we get a couple bottles of water, please?”

When the woman turned, Petra took a picture of the roster, then slid her camera back away as she smiled and accepted the waters.

Did Hawkeye see all that? Yes.

Did he ask? No.

They moved to the elevators, where a large group was already waiting.

Hawkeye stepped back with Cooper. They’d wait for a clear car.

Petra moved over to the column, pulled up the roster photo, and sent it on to Rowan with a few choice shocked-face emojis. Then she held up her camera to record a selfie video, saying, “After a harrowing day on the island, the authorities are asking the people at the hotels to check in as they try to figure out who is missing. Guess who’s missing. I have one more thing that I didn’t mention before.”

She tapped send.

A moment later, Rowan was on the phone, and without so much as a hello, he said, “What didn’t you mention?”

“The whole family—mom, dad, and kids—all wore matching necklaces.”

“A family gift?” he asked. “Any idea what that was about?”

“I asked. Jenny said that they wanted to renew their vows to each other and include the family. Then she amended it to say that she wanted the children to understand that they were telling them they were loved and part of a bigger happy family. I got stuck on the word ‘bigger.’” Petra was quiet as she struggled with the best course of action. “Nope, I’m not going to say that out loud.”

“Come on, Petra,” Rowan reassured her, “you can say anything to me.”

“Work colleague,” Petra mumbled.

“Good friends,” he countered.

“In this instance, work colleague.”

Rowan sighed. “Give me a hint.”

“Soldiers who I talked to at the base would tell me stories that freaked them out. Like, they’d be walking along and suddenly feel the need to tie their shoe, an overwhelming need. They’d bend over, and a bullet would fly over their back. That impulse would save their lives. Sometimes, it’s a chill running up their spine that makes them freeze long enough for their buddy to say, “Hey, man, don’t move. That next step is a trip wire.”

“It’s happened to me more than once,” Rowan said.

“The daughter yanked her necklace off and jetted it toward the sea. When she wasn’t looking, I went down and picked it up. I have it in my pocket.”

“Text the picture to me. Let me see what you’ve got.”

With Rowan on the line, Petra scanned the room to make absolutely sure she wasn’t being observed. Hawkeye and Cooper stood patiently, giving her some privacy.

She surreptitiously snapped a picture of the pendant and forwarded it to Rowan, then heard the ping as it landed in his messages.

There was silence on the other line.

“Shit.” Rowan hissed. “Are youkidding meright now?”

Petra’s lungs lost their elasticity, making her next breath shallow and ineffectual. “This has meaning to you, then?”

“Yeah, Petra, it means stay away from these people. Don’t be friendly with them, don’t talk to them, don’t let them eat or drink near you. Stay thehellaway.”

“Okay,” Petra agreed. “I’ll stay away. Anything else I should know?”

“I’m coming down there. I’ll be on the first flight I can find, tonight if possible.”

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