Page 230 of Hidden Tide

Silence.

Every person in the conference room waits.

“You will come alone,” Simon says.

“Yes.”

“Unarmed.”

“Yes.”

“Calle,” Ben warns.

I keep my eyes on him.

Simon continues. “No tracking device. No agents. No SEAL.”

“Yes.”

“You agree very easily.”

“I watched Donald hit Naomi. I know what he’ll do if I refuse.”

Donald smiles toward the helicopter camera.

I let my voice shake.

I don’t have to pretend very hard.

“But Naomi stays inside the bridge during the exchange.”

“No.”

“I won’t approach while Donald has a gun against her head.”

“He’ll keep the gun.”

“Then I stay here.”

“You would allow her to die?”

“No. You would kill her. There’s a difference.”

Simon doesn’t answer.

“I’ll bring the compass to the ferry landing,” I continue. “Put Naomi inside the bridge where I can see her. When I reach the end of the dock, you send her ashore.”

“And then?”

“I give you the compass.”

“You’ll bring the blue prism too.”

“It’s attached.”

“No tricks, Calle.”

“No more hostages, Simon.”