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Ben steadies himself.
Then he looks toward the ship where Simon Vail is holding Naomi and Captain Marquez.
“All five of us go through the bow.”
I stare at him.
“You can’t even walk.”
Ben takes one step.
Then another.
Pain flashes across his face, but he remains standing.
“Simon made the same mistake Donald made twenty-three years ago.”
“What mistake?”
“He saw a wounded man and assumed the fight was over.”
Ben checks his weapon.
The other four SEALs form around him.
On the bridge of the Argent Star, Simon drags Naomi toward the window.
He believes he killed the men coming to save her.
He believes I am alone on the ferry landing.
He believes he has won.
Ben looks directly into his body camera.
“Bring him the compass, Calle.”
My heart pounds.
“The real one?”
“No.”
His mouth curves into a cold, dangerous smile.
“Bring him to me.”
23
CALLE
“The most dangerous enemy is the one who believes he has already won.”
—James Sinclair
The compass feels heavier than it should.
It isn’t Grandpa’s real compass.
