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I can’t see his gun, but I know he still has it.

Simon steps onto the outer bridge wing.

“Show me the compass.”

I lift it by its chain.

He raises binoculars.

For several seconds, he examines the replica.

“Closer.”

“You send Naomi first.”

“When I know it’s real.”

“You can see the blue glass.”

“I can also see that your grandfather taught you not to trust me.”

“He taught all of us that.”

The Argent Star drifts nearer.

Fifty yards.

Forty.

The current carries its stern toward the dock.

Beneath the water, Ben and the other SEALs are approaching the diving chamber.

“Let Naomi go,” I call.

Simon looks toward the bridge.

Donald pulls her toward the door.

Relief rushes through me.

Then he stops.

A crew member runs onto the deck and speaks into Simon’s ear.

Simon turns sharply toward the stern.

Something has changed.

“Ben?” I whisper.

No answer.

On the ship, an alarm begins sounding.

Marcus disabled the diving-chamber alarm.

This is a different one.