Page 213 of Secrets Beneath the Waves

“Because like it or not, even though we were able to rescue Oumar and stop the arms transaction, we weren’t able to stop Pandora’s box from being opened.”

As dangerous as the ledger sounds, I have to admit I’m intrigued. “Do you know where it is?”

“No. The original compiler of the ledger is said to be a former KGB/CIA double agent who is now presumed dead.” Hawke pulls an envelope out of his pocket and hands it to me. “This is a coded letter from Oumar’s father.”

I open the envelope and pull out a folded paper.

“This is the last thing I got from him before he died. For a long time I believed that the rumors were nothing more than a myth—a ghost story as you say. But now. . .after what happened with Oumar, combined with this letter…I’m wondering if there isn’t truth behind those rumors.”

“What happened to his father?” Graham asks.

“He was shot in a bar. No intelligence agency ever took credit, but I know they silenced him.” Hawke stares past us toward the water. “I need the two of you to find this ledger.”

I tried to read Hawke’s expression. To translate the tone of his voice and understand the motivation behind what he’s asking us to do. Anger? Fear? Revenge? He’s been playing this game a lot longer than we have, and it’s almost impossible to read his expression. That said, I still understand his motivation. The desire to put an end to the violence in these regions that escalates on a daily basis because of the steady influx of illicit trade. To stop the terrorist groups that are empowered by illegal weapons. I want all of that stopped as well. I want the trauma and the corruption to stop. But I’m also concerned about what he’s actually asking us to do.

“What if it’s not real?” I ask.

“Then I’ll let it go, but you need to understand that if it is real, there will be people who will do anything to stop you from finding out the truth.”

The rain is falling harder now, muffling our voices as we stand under the thick branches of a tree.

“Has this assignment been approved?” Graham asks.

“I’ll give you the option to walk away, but this has to stay an off-books mission. If something goes wrong and you get caught, I won’t be able to protect you. But it also means that you can say no and I won’t hold it against you.”

“I’ll do it,” Graham says.

I look down at the letter in my hand, still hesitating.Hawke has a history of going off-book, operating in the moral gray zones most people try to avoid. And while I know this job is rarely black and white, something about this one feels off.

I unfold the letter with steady hands, but I already know—once I read this, there will be no turning back.

Dear Chapel,

Winter in Prague has been colder than I expected this time of year, so different from my beloved deserts of Africa. Even thegardens have long since lost their color. I’ve thought often of what I need to do and can only hope you will forgive me.

The ledger I told you about is safe. I couldn’t bring myself to burn it, though I tried more than once. I feared I might need it one day as leverage—something to save me when my past catches up to me. Some things are too heavy to destroy, even when carrying them becomes unbearable. I added one final entry last month. After that, I locked it away.No keys exist—but if you should need to find it after I’m gone, you know the way.

You once told me that some truths should never make it into official files. I finally understand what you meant. And if this ever comes to light, all I can do is pray it falls into the hands of someone who knows what silence costs.

If anything happens to me, tell the boy to stay away from shadows. They have long memories.

Yours in the quiet,

M.