Agent Castle let out a low whistle, but the sheriff looked annoyed. “What the hell, Ryker? Do you not tell us anything anymore?”
“I’m telling you now.”
The sheriff flipped him off and Ryker’s smile was broad and genuine. Goodness gracious. That man was hotter than sin and looked as if he knew every sin imaginable in the best possible way.
“So, what does this secret tech company have to do with keeping Miss Jessamine safe?” Agent Castle asked.
“We have our own GPS smart trackers. They’ll program to her trace DNA. If someone else touches it or tries to remove it, we’ll get a notification. They’re small, so you can put them in your shoes, your underwear, your phone case, your purse . . . everywhere. You can even swallow one. However, they also have the ability to be turned into a listening and recording device if needed. Either we turn them on and listen, or we can set a perimeter that will automatically alert us and go live with sound should you leave that area. We’re also working on voice activation with a select password. That’s still in the works, but soon you can say a chosen word and it’ll automatically start recording and notify us.”
“So, a wire?”
Ryker gave a little snort. “A wire with unlimited range. You could be in France and we could still activate it and listen. These run off of private satellites so distance isn’t even a factor.”
“That’s a little scary,” Skye told him with all seriousness. “I don’t want people listening to me at any time they want.”
“The product isn’t known. My team isn’t known. Unlike FBI trackers, no one can hack them or will even know they’re there. They don’t show on scans and aren’t subject to jammers. Further, if you place one near your body, like on the inside of your bra strap, I can even program them to set off a notification if your heart rate spikes, such as if you’re in danger.”
“Or if I’m working out.”
Ryker shook his head. “We’re a little smarter than that. It won’t go off during sex either.” Skye knew she blushed, but that didn’t stop Ryker from continuing. “If it’ll make you feel better, only I will monitor you. If there’s any trouble, I can share it with Granger and Castle. I don’t know Shaw so I’m not sharing anything with him. Deal?”
“Deal,” Castle and Granger quickly said.
“I’ll think about it,” Skye said. Ryker gave her a slight nod to indicate he knew she was serious about it.
Skye was about to go meet Karri when the front door was flung open and Karri raced inside. “We have a big problem.”
9
Skye didn’t even have time to ask before Karri was shouting for the entire bar to shut up. Miraculously everyone did. The TVs were turned off, dart games paused, and beer mugs set down. Heck, people even stopped chewing their food. Karri then pressed the unmute button and held the phone out.
“Sorry, I’m back. What were you saying?” Karri asked into the phone. Skye looked at it and saw the caller ID showed that it was Karri’s mom.
“Did your order for new fabric come in? I was hoping it would arrive in time for the Hisatuh ceremony. But, I’m sorry, I was telling you before I can’t talk right now. Some men from L.A. came to talk about my daughter.”
“What about her?” Karri asked.
“They’re doing a story on her and Skye’s friendship. We’re talking about how they met, where they’d travel to on spring breaks, and even the relationship our family and Skye’s family have developed. I talked to Skye’s mother just a moment ago and she’s being interviewed too. Isn’t that something? I’m so proud I could burst. Look, I’ll see you soon to work on the Hisatuh ceremony. Bye.”
Karri hung up and everyone was quiet for a moment except for Agent Castle who looked up at Karri with worry. “If I’m not mistaken, Hisatuh translates into treacherous little winter and that ceremony isn’t performed this time of year.”
Karri’s eyes shot open wide. “That’s right. It’s a warning. The people she’s with are treacherous. How did you know that?”
“My grandmother is Oneida.”
Skye was just as surprised. Karri’s Onondaga Nation was one of the present-day Six Nations. Oneida was another one. “What clan?”
“Bear. I read that you’re Wolf.”
Karri put her arms across her chest and stared down at him. “You did a background search on me?”
“Of course I did or I wouldn’t be very good at my job.” Agent