Page 249 of Hidden Depths

"He never told us."

"No."

Thomas's smile faded.

"He needed to know how much the traitor already knew."

"So..."

"He fed him lies."

Ward's eyebrows lifted.

"Lies?"

Thomas nodded.

"False routes."

"Fake hiding places."

"Imaginary meetings."

Nathan stared at the journals.

"Grandpa was testing him," I said.

"He was."

"And every lie eventually reached Charles Ashford."

Nathan let out a long breath.

"So James knew exactly who had betrayed him."

"He did."

I looked down at Grandpa's journal.

"He carried that secret alone."

Thomas's voice softened.

"To protect all of you."

The Coast Guard lieutenant cleared his throat.

"There's one more thing."

Ward turned.

"What is it?"

"We found something in Ashford's cabin."

The lieutenant reached into another evidence bag.

It wasn't money.