Dark Water: Lantern Beach Blackout, Book 1

by Barritt, Christy

  He saw Cassidy climb from the police car and stride toward them. Colton met her halfway.

  “Everything good?”

  “She’s asking for you.”

  Colton felt a surprising wave of anxiety. He didn’t know which way this conversation would go. But more than anything, he needed to see Elise right now and know that she was okay.

  * * *

  Elise had blankets wrapped around her as she sat in a police car with the heat blasting.

  The warmth had never felt so good.

  She’d been so certain she was going to die out there. So certain.

  But as she watched the sun rise in the distance, she lifted up thanks that she’d been given another chance. Death had been so close she’d practically been able to reach out and touch it.

  Colton slipped into the back of the car beside her, a hot cup of coffee in each hand. They’d both changed into something dry—Cassidy had brought some spare clothes with her to the scene.

  “Lisa just dropped this by.” Colton handed her a cardboard cup.

  “That was nice of her. Thank you.” She glanced at Colton, her heart filling with gratitude and appreciation. But there was more than that. The affection she felt for Colton surprised even her.

  Being with him this week had reignited something in her, a spark she never thought she’d feel again.

  She offered him part of her blanket. “You need to stay warm also.”

  “I’ll be okay. It’s you I’m worried about.”

  She scooted closer and draped part of it over his legs anyway. “I’m alive. I can’t ask for much more.”

  Their gazes caught, and a million unspoken conversations passed between them. There was so much Elise needed to say. That she wanted to hear. Whatever happened next could determine their future.

  “Elise—” Colton started.

  “It’s okay,” Elise said quickly. “I know why you couldn’t tell me.”

  His gaze softened, his relief visible. “I wanted to. I really did.”

  She reached beneath the blanket and squeezed his hand. “I know. When Jason grabbed me, my priorities suddenly became very clear. Facing death can do that to a person. I knew beyond a doubt that I wanted you in my future.”

  Colton’s features softened as he leaned toward her. “Hearing that makes me happy. Very happy.”

  A smile tugged at Elise’s lips. “I’m glad.”

  He reached for her, and his hand splayed at her neck, her jaw. Colton closed the space between them and his lips met hers. The kiss only lasted a minute before Colton put an arm around Elise and folded her into his arms.

  She rested her head against his chest and imagined a future where she could do this every day.

  Nothing sounded better.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Twenty-four hours later, when Colton woke up after a full night’s rest, he felt lighter than he had in a year.

  Jason Perkins was in custody.

  Henry’s wife, Alice, had been located and was being checked at a hospital up in Nags Head.

  Elise was safe.

  He and Benjamin had made amends.

  Even better—Colton and Elise were going to have breakfast this morning at The Crazy Chefette. Just the two of them.

  He couldn’t wait.

  Thirty minutes later, they were seated across from each other at the restaurant.

  Though an entire day had passed since Jason’s arrest, everything felt like a blur. Yesterday had been spent answering questions from numerous law enforcement agencies. Commander Stabler himself had called, and they’d given him a rundown on things. He’d thanked Colton and the team for their service and promised that NCIS would take matters from here.

  Colton and Elise had grabbed snippets of time together. But as soon as they’d gotten back to the cottage, they’d both crashed.

  Finally, they had some time alone.

  After ordering, Colton looked across the table at Elise. At lovely, lovely Elise. Even with that wound on her forehead and her stiff motions from being manhandled by Jason, she was still a sight to behold. The most beautiful woman he’d ever set eyes on, hands down.

  “So, are you ready to tell me where you hid the evidence?” He leaned toward her from across the table.

  A smile tugged at her lips. “If you must know, it’s in the freezer in the workroom at my office.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “What?”

  She offered a half shrug. “It was a trick Daniel taught me. I put all of the information into a Ziplock bag. Then I scooped out half a gallon of chocolate mint ice cream, hid the bag in the middle of the container, and refroze the ice cream.”

  Clever but . . . “How did you know no one would eat it?”

  “Easy. I left a note on it saying no one should touch it and that I’d eaten out of it right before I got the flu.”

  He chuckled as he pictured it. “Smart thinking.”

  “NCIS was able to retrieve it, so I guess it worked.”

  Cassidy stepped into the restaurant and wandered over to their table.

  “How are you two today?” she asked.

  “We’re doing great,” Elise said. “Thanks, in part, to you.”

  “It wasn’t just me. We’re all a team around here.”

  “You off to another protest?” Colton asked.

  “Actually . . .” Cassidy shifted. “Some of the homeowners filed a lawsuit against the developer, and the project has been put on hold. So no more protests for a while.”

  “That’s good news, at least, right?” Elise said.

  “I’m not complaining.” Cassidy winked. “I’ll let you guys get back to your talk. Good to see you two out and about.”

  As Cassidy left, Elise leaned back and stared out the window a moment. Her thoughts were obviously churning. “What I still can’t figure out is how that picture of Daniel was taken at the bank. I understand that someone could have set up that account in his name but . . .”

  “My guess is that Jason sent Daniel to the bank and told him the commander had ordered it. When Daniel was there, he was probably just picking up some forms or something innocent. But that picture was snapped just at the right time. All of that was so Daniel would look like one of the bad guys. Jason knew Tara and Daniel were closing in. That’s why he sold them out.”

  “Daniel was close to blowing all of this open.” Elise took a cup of coffee the waitress brought, thanked her, and then turned back to Colton.

  “That’s why he was such a threat. Jason will get his trial. Maybe the authorities will even get some information out of him in the process. You did a good job, Elise.”

  “Thank you.” Elise rewarded him with a smile.

  “What now?” His smile slipped as he waited for her answer. He’d been thinking about it all day yesterday. Did this mean Elise would return to her life in Virginia Beach? If so, what did that mean for them?

  “Ty talked to me yesterday about possibly helping out with Hope House.”

  Colton’s breath caught. “And what do you think?”

  “The pay’s not great, but my coworkers would be awesome.” She grinned at him. “What do you think?”

  He reached across the table and took her hand into his. “I think . . . you should do whatever you want. But I would love to have you here.”

  “That’s good to hear, because I accepted the position.”

  A grin spread across his face. “That just made my whole year.”

  “I was hoping it might. I’m really looking forward to the change.”

  “Me too.”

  They exchanged a smile, and Colton knew that this breakfast together would be the first of many.

  And he couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

  Deep Harbor: Lantern Beach Blackout, Book 2

  A JOB AS EASY AS SUNDAY MORNING

  Guilt over past mistakes haunt former Navy SEAL Dez Rodriguez. When he’s asked to guard a pop star during a music festival on Lantern Beach, he’s all set for what he hopes i
s a breezy assignment.

  UNTIL HE MEETS BREE JORDAN

  Bree hasn’t found fame to be nearly as fulfilling as she dreamed. Instead, she’s more like a carefully crafted character living out a pre-scripted story. When a stalker’s threats become deadly, her life—and career—are turned upside down.

  DANGER RISES UP THE CHARTS

  From the start, Bree sees her temporary bodyguard as a player, and Dez sees Bree as a spoiled rich girl. But when they’re thrown together in a fight for survival, both must learn to trust. Can Dez protect Bree—and his carefully guarded heart? Or will their safe harbor ultimately become their death trap?

  Also by Christy Barritt:

  Other Books in the Lantern Beach Series:

  LANTERN BEACH MYSTERIES

  Hidden Currents

  You can take the detective out of the investigation, but you can't take the investigator out of the detective. A notorious gang puts a bounty on Detective Cady Matthews’s head after she takes down their leader, leaving her no choice but to hide until she can testify at trial. But her temporary home across the country on a remote North Carolina island isn’t as peaceful as she initially thinks. Living under the new identity of Cassidy Livingston, she struggles to keep her investigative skills tucked away, especially after a body washes ashore. When local police bungle the murder investigation, she can’t resist stepping in. But Cassidy is supposed to be keeping a low profile. One wrong move could lead to both her discovery and her demise. Can she bring justice to the island . . . or will the hidden currents surrounding her pull her under for good?

  Flood Watch

  The tide is high, and so is the danger on Lantern Beach. Still in hiding after infiltrating a dangerous gang, Cassidy Livingston just has to make it a few more months before she can testify at trial and resume her old life. But trouble keeps finding her, and Cassidy is pulled into a local investigation after a man mysteriously disappears from the island she now calls home. A recurring nightmare from her time undercover only muddies things, as does a visit from the parents of her handsome ex-Navy SEAL neighbor. When a friend's life is threatened, Cassidy must make choices that put her on the verge of blowing her cover. With a flood watch on her emotions and her life in a tangle, will Cassidy find the truth? Or will her past finally drown her?

  Storm Surge

  A storm is brewing hundreds of miles away, but its effects are devastating even from afar. Laid-back, loose, and light: that’s Cassidy Livingston’s new motto. But when a makeshift boat with a bloody cloth inside washes ashore near her oceanfront home, her detective instincts shift into gear . . . again. Seeking clues isn’t the only thing on her mind—romance is heating up with next-door neighbor and former Navy SEAL Ty Chambers as well. Her heart wants the love and stability she’s longed for her entire life. But her hidden identity only leads to a tidal wave of turbulence. As more answers emerge about the boat, the danger around her rises, creating a treacherous swell that threatens to reveal her past. Can Cassidy mind her own business, or will the storm surge of violence and corruption that has washed ashore on Lantern Beach leave her life in wreckage?

  Dangerous Waters

  Danger lurks on the horizon, leaving only two choices: find shelter or flee. Cassidy Livingston’s new identity has begun to feel as comfortable as her favorite sweater. She’s been tucked away on Lantern Beach for weeks, waiting to testify against a deadly gang, and is settling in to a new life she wants to last forever. When she thinks she spots someone malevolent from her past, panic swells inside her. If an enemy has found her, Cassidy won’t be the only one who’s a target. Everyone she’s come to love will also be at risk. Dangerous waters threaten to pull her into an overpowering chasm she may never escape. Can Cassidy survive what lies ahead? Or has the tide fatally turned against her?

  Perilous Riptide

  Just when the current seems safer, an unseen danger emerges and threatens to destroy everything. When Cassidy Livingston finds a journal hidden deep in the recesses of her ice cream truck, her curiosity kicks into high gear. Islanders suspect that Elsa, the journal’s owner, didn’t die accidentally. Her final entry indicates their suspicions might be correct and that what Elsa observed on her final night may have led to her demise. Against the advice of Ty Chambers, her former Navy SEAL boyfriend, Cassidy taps into her detective skills and hunts for answers. But her search only leads to a skeletal body and trouble for both of them. As helplessness threatens to drown her, Cassidy is desperate to turn back time. Can Cassidy find what she needs to navigate the perilous situation? Or will the riptide surrounding her threaten everyone and everything Cassidy loves?

  Deadly Undertow

  The current’s fatal pull is powerful, but so is one detective’s will to live. When someone from Cassidy Livingston’s past shows up on Lantern Beach and warns her of impending peril, opposing currents collide, threatening to drag her under. Running would be easy. But leaving would break her heart. Cassidy must decipher between the truth and lies, between reality and deception. Even more importantly, she must decide whom to trust and whom to fear. Her life depends on it. As danger rises and answers surface, everything Cassidy thought she knew is tested. In order to survive, Cassidy must take drastic measures and end the battle against the ruthless gang DH-7 once and for all. But if her final mission fails, the consequences will be as deadly as the raging undertow.

  LANTERN BEACH ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

  Tides of Deception

  Change has come to Lantern Beach: a new police chief, a new season, and . . . a new romance? Austin Brooks has loved Skye Lavinia from the moment they met, but the walls she keeps around her seem impenetrable. Skye knows Austin is the best thing to ever happen to her. Yet she also knows that if he learns the truth about her past, he’d be a fool not to run. A chance encounter brings secrets bubbling to the surface, and danger soon follows. Are the life-threatening events plaguing them really accidents . . . or is someone trying to send a deadly message? With the tides on Lantern Beach come deception and lies. One question remains—who will be swept away as the water shifts? And will it bring the end for Austin and Skye, or merely the beginning?

  Shadow of Intrigue

  For her entire life, Lisa Garth has felt like a supporting character in the drama of life. The designation never bothered her—until now. Lantern Beach, where she’s settled and runs a popular restaurant, has boarded up for the season. The slower pace leaves her with too much time alone. Braden Dillinger came to Lantern Beach to try to heal. The former Special Forces officer returned from battle with invisible scars and diminished hope. But his recovery is hampered by the fact that an unknown enemy is trying to kill him. From the moment Lisa and Braden meet, danger ignites around them, and both are drawn into a web of intrigue that turns their lives upside down. As shadows creep in, will Lisa and Braden be able to shine a light on the peril around them? Or will the encroaching darkness turn their worst nightmares into reality?

  Storm of Doubt

  A pastor who’s lost faith in God. A romance writer who’s lost faith in love. A faceless man with a deadly obsession. Nothing has felt right in Pastor Jack Wilson’s world since his wife died two years ago. He hoped coming to Lantern Beach might help soothe the ragged edges of his soul. Instead, he feels more alone than ever. Novelist Juliette Grace came to the island to hide away. Though her professional life has never been better, her personal life has imploded. Her husband left her and a stalker’s threats have grown more and more dangerous. When Jack saves Juliette from an attack, he sees the terror in her gaze and knows he must protect her. But when danger strikes again, will Jack be able to keep her safe? Or will the approaching storm prove too strong to withstand?

  Winds of Danger

  Wes O’Neill is perfectly content to hang with his friends and enjoy island life on Lantern Beach. Something begins to change inside him when Paige Henderson sweeps into his life. But the beautiful newcomer is hiding painful secrets beneath her cheerful facade. Police dispatcher Paige Henderson came to Lantern Bea
ch riddled with guilt and uncertainties after the fallout of a bad relationship. When she meets Wes, she begins to open up to the possibility of love again. But there’s something Wes isn’t telling her—something that could change everything. As the winds shift, doubts seep into Paige’s mind. Can Paige and Wes trust each other, even as the currents work against them? Or is trouble from the past too much to overcome?

  Rains of Remorse

  A stranger invades her home, leaving Rebecca Jarvis terrified. Above all, she must protect the baby growing inside her. Since her estranged husband died suspiciously six months earlier, Rebecca has been determined to depend on no one but herself. Her chivalrous new neighbor appears to be an answer to prayer. But who is Levi Stoneman really? Rebecca wants to believe he can help her, but she can’t ignore her instincts. As danger closes in, both Rebecca and Levi must figure out whom they can trust. With Rebecca’s baby coming soon, there’s no time to waste. Can the truth prevail . . . or will remorse overpower the best of intentions?

  LANTERN BEACH PD

  On the Lookout

  When Cassidy Chambers accepted the job as police chief on Lantern Beach, she knew the island had its secrets. But a suspicious death with potentially far-reaching implications will test all her skills—and threaten to reveal her true identity. Cassidy enlists the help of her husband, former Navy SEAL Ty Chambers. As they dig for answers, both uncover parts of their pasts that are best left buried. Not everything is as it seems, and they must figure out if their John Doe is connected to the secretive group that has moved onto the island. As facts materialize, danger on the island grows. Can Cassidy and Ty discover the truth about the shadowy crimes in their cozy community? Or has darkness permanently invaded their beloved Lantern Beach?