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“Jonathan contacted him.”
Agent Morales leaned closer.
“What did Jonathan want?”
“To warn James that August Ross planned to reopen the old smuggling harbor inside Blackwater.”
Commander Keating’s expression sharpened.
“What was Ross planning to move through it?”
“Weapons. Stolen cargo. Eventually, people.”
The word people settled heavily over us.
Thomas continued before anyone could interrupt.
“Jonathan had spent years working inside Elias Ross’s organization. After Elias died, August took control and expanded everything. Jonathan wanted out.”
“Why contact James?” Morales asked.
“Because Jonathan had evidence.”
“What kind?”
“Shipping records. Names. Payments to officials. Photographs of the vessels entering Blackwater.”
The waterproof camera.
The rolls of undeveloped film.
Jonathan hadn’t been taking family pictures.
He had been building a case.
“Did James agree to help him?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“After everything Jonathan did?”
Thomas looked at me.
“James didn’t forgive him. Not then. But he believed the evidence could save lives.”
“Is that why Grandpa gave him the ring?”
Thomas’s gaze moved to the camera hanging against my chest.
“Jonathan needed to approach someone James trusted. The ring proved James had sent him.”
“Who was he supposed to meet?”
“I don’t know.”
I studied his face.
This time, I believed him.
