All he could think was that the engineers had put some kind of GPS trackers on their individual equipment.Unless the computer operators had ID’d them from their original positions and then simply kept an eye on each of them as they moved?That would be pretty tough to pull off for very long though.
When he asked Giles how they’d done it and what kind of drone Genesis was, the man essentially avoided the question, instead asking some of his own about what he and his fellow SEALs had seen and heard at specific points during the trek across the island.
Darwin had to admit he was a little disappointed Giles wouldn’t tell them anything but also knew they were unlikely to reveal that kind of classified information to field operatives unless they had to.
“You’ll be brought back out to the island for phase two of the testing soon,” Seth said as he walked Darwin and the other guys toward the front of the hanger where they found their cell phones waiting.“It will be another nighttime operation, but it’ll be a couple days before we can pull it together.”
Darwin didn’t bother asking what they’d be doing for phase two of this gig, knowing the program manager wouldn’t tell them anything.Instead, he nodded and headed toward the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter out on the flight line with his buddies, its rotors already spinning up.
No one said anything as they all climbed in the bird that would take them back to NAS North Island, the airfield north of Coronado.As Darwin moved up the ramp into the back of the bird, he caught sight of Simon glancing over his shoulder toward the hangers.
Darwin followed the direction of his gaze to see Giles and a group of other people walking into the hanger right beside the one where they’d just been debriefed.Inside, Darwin caught sight of something matte black and sleek, but before he could figure out if it was a drone, the hanger doors clanged closed and the tail ramp on the Seahawk started closing.
Darwin saw Simon glance his way as they took their seats.He knew his friend had seen the same thing he had and was just as curious.Not wanting to speculate in front of the flight crew, he kept his thoughts to himself.They’d talk about it later.
Chapter three
“Yourfamilyownsthiswhole place?”Darwin asked.
Katrina didn’t miss the awe in his voice as they drove up the long, meandering lane surrounded by beautiful flowering shrubs on either side.In the setting sun, she could make out the collection of majestic Mediterranean-style buildings that made up the resort, restaurant, meeting spaces, and wine making operations of the Weber Vineyards and Resort.
She looked at Darwin from the passenger seat as he followed the sign for valet parking, thinking again how handsome he was.Dark hair with eyes the color of her favorite chocolate bar, he had the perfect amount of stubble on his chiseled jaw.
“It was only the vineyard when my grandparents on my dad’s side first started it,” she said, realizing she hadn’t answered his question.“They added tours and wine tasting later.”
“What about the resort and golf course?”
“My father added those after he took over the business.”
“That’s cool.”
“I guess.”
Darwin glanced at her in surprise as he slowed to a stop in front of the valet stand.“You don’t think so?”
Katrina thought a moment before answering, wanting to choose her words carefully.“It’s not that I don’t like the resort.I mean, it’s beautiful.But sometimes, it seems like the vineyard has kind of become an afterthought.”
She took in the circular entrance with its light-colored stone and plethora of windows, remembering the heated arguments over the direction of the vineyard between her grandfather and her dad when she’d been a little girl.As glamorous and posh as the resort was, it’d been hard to see the lush, green land her grandma and grandpa had loved so much destroyed simply so her father could make even more money than he already had.
“There’s a part of me that’s sad to think my grandparents wouldn’t recognize this place anymore, I guess,” she said softly.
Katrina mentally cringed.She and Darwin had spent the thirty-minute drive talking about fun stuff and now, she was probably making him think twice about spending the week with her after bombarding him with her hangups.Great.She opened her mouth to apologize, but he reached over to take her hand with a smile.
“Even if this isn’t the vineyard your grandparents knew, I’m sure they’d be happy knowing your sister has such a beautiful place to have her wedding.”
She returned his smile.He wasn’t wrong about that.Her grandparents had been amazing, loving people.She only wished creating wonderful memories for her sister and fiancé was as important to her father.But as with everything, it was about showing off his wealth, power, and respectability.
But Katrina didn’t say that to Darwin.
Before either of them could say anything else, the valet quickly walked over to open her door.Darwin came around to hand the man the keys and a tip, then helped the bellman get their bags.The man followed them into the lobby, waiting off to the side while she and Darwin crossed the gleaming marble floor of the lobby to the check-in desk.
The red-haired man working there greeted them with a bright smile that broadened even more when she told him their names.His name tag read Davis.
“Ms.Weber!Your mother told us you and your guest would be arriving this evening.Your room is on the second floor with a view of the vineyard.As you requested, Mr.Sutton will be in the connecting one.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Katrina saw Darwin glance at her.She gave him a sheepish smile.“I thought connecting rooms would be easier.To meet up for events and stuff.”
His mouth curved.“Works for me.”
