Page 197 of Scars of Fate

Adam’s voice had hardened.

“He came from Ghost’s old team. He specialized in covert transportation networks—moving people and weapons without leaving records.”

Exactly what Meridian was doing.

“Was he assigned here with you?” Hawk asked.

Lucas nodded.

“It was a joint operation. Minser built the emergency cache.”

Boone leaned against the wall.

“And now it’s empty.”

“Coincidence?” Russ asked.

Lucas stared into the compartment.

“No.”

I stepped closer.

Something had been scratched into the inside of the metal lid.

One word.

FATE.

“Lucas.”

He saw it.

Every man crowded around the opening.

The letters weren’t old.

Bright steel showed beneath them.

Someone had carved the word recently.

My pulse quickened.

“Whoever opened this cache wanted us to connect it to Fate.”

“Or wanted Lucas to,” Adam said.

Lucas reached into the compartment.

His fingers moved along the bottom.

Then stopped.

“What?”

“There’s a false panel.”

He pressed one corner.