Page 255 of Hidden Depths

"Ashford worked for him."

No one spoke.

Even Ward looked stunned.

The room suddenly felt smaller.

As if the walls themselves were listening.

Thomas reached into the steel box once more.

This time he removed a small leather pouch.

The leather was faded almost white with age.

The drawstring had been tied so many years ago that it had nearly become part of the leather itself.

"I've guarded this since the day James put it in this box."

He carefully untied the cord.

Inside...

Was a simple brass compass.

Its glass was scratched.

Its casing dented from years of use.

Storm smiled through her tears.

"Grandpa's compass, he said he lost this one."

Thomas nodded.

"He never went to sea without it. Until he put it in here."

I reached for it carefully.

The metal felt warm despite its age.

There was something engraved on the back.

I turned it over.

Five tiny initials.

S...C...W...I...H.

Storm.

Calle.

Willow.

Ivy.

Hazel.