Page 254 of Hidden Depths

"If we don't know who he is..."

"...how do we stop him?"

Thomas's weathered hand rested firmly on the picture.

"You don't."

My heart sank.

"You expose him."

Ward studied Thomas carefully.

"You've lived with this for years."

Thomas nodded.

"I have."

"And you're still afraid."

The old sailor met his eyes.

"I've watched good people disappear."

"I've watched families destroyed."

"I buried my best friend."

His voice caught.

I’m sorry I didn’t come to his funeral. I couldn’t take the chance of them following me. I was supposed to be dead.

"And every time there was another death..."

"...it started with someone saying his name."

Nathan stepped closer.

"I don't understand. I was James' friend, I never heard about this."

Thomas looked at him with genuine kindness.

"You will understand."

Then his expression hardened.

"When your father betrayed James..."

"...he never knew who he was working for."

Nathan frowned.

"He worked for Ashford."

Thomas slowly shook his head.

"No."