Chapter 6 #2
The bitterness in Jack’s words ran deep—and Noah understood it all too well. Like Jack, he’d once been a na?ve young man who believed that if he joined the cause of his country, he could do something to truly help humanity.
And then he’d watched humans murder each other in the most savage ways imaginable.
Noah had been more fortunate than Jack, though. In the arms of his wife, Noah had been able to rediscover love and family—the only real goodness in the world. But that was only because, after everything they’d been through during the war, Ginger had picked Noah over Jack. Despite loving Jack.
Noah swallowed hard, the memory of it something he could barely think of without feeling as though he’d choked down a mouthful of glass. Forcing himself to move away from those thoughts, he gritted out, “How does Blackwell present itself to the public then? A humanitarian organization?”
“Yes. They involve themselves in charity work and Prescott is beloved as a philanthropist. But the people on the inside—they know the truth. The information they collect and the work they do is sold to the highest bidder and they’re willing to work for anyone and any cause if the price is right.
It’s an elite group and Prescott has no problem eliminating anyone who he thinks is a threat or will expose him. ”
Noah held Jack’s gaze, outwardly calm despite the depth of unease he felt knowing his family was known to such a monster. “How does Prescott recruit if he tries to remain covert?”
“He approaches men and women whom he has been tracking—offers them a position. He doesn’t attempt to recruit unless he’s already convinced he’ll be successful.
But he’s not above manipulation either, though he likes to keep his people happy and wealthy.
And once you’re one of his people—you have his protection too.
He tattoos a triskelion on the underside of his operatives’ right wrist, where it can be easily covered by a bracelet or something.
A basic triskelion means you’re on the outermost layer of the organization.
If the center of the triskelion is filled, you’re second rank.
One with a circle threading through it—those are his closest, most experienced operatives. ”
That seems foolish.
Noah frowned, glancing down at his own left wrist, where he’d received a scorpion brand from an Egyptian nationalist organization during the war.
More than once, that brand had exposed him to the further scrutiny of anyone who recognized it.
He’d allowed it to happen while undercover, but the consequences had haunted him.
“Wouldn’t that be a risk?”
Jack shook his head. “No. If someone knows that symbol, they know to keep their distance. Prescott will go to any lengths to protect one of his own. Or to get revenge on someone that harms them.”
No wonder Jack had done his best to stay away from Prescott for so long. But the fact that the man had resurfaced now, asking for Jack’s help was disturbing. “And why is Prescott coming to you, then? If his reach is so extensive, why involve you at all?”
“I’m not sure, and it’s part of what is bothering me so much. Clearly, he’s not telling me everything. And if I do manage to find Alice and Kit, the last thing I want to do is lead Prescott to them—especially without talking to them first.”
“Any possibility Knight is collaborating with Prescott to get to us both?” Noah asked wearily.
“I considered that, but I don’t think so. It’s too convoluted and expensive a route for Knight. Prescott’s favors aren’t cheap, and Knight would be a fool to indebt himself to him for either of us. There are younger, smarter men out there now to take our place. We’re not worth it.”
Probably true.
“So what’s Knight’s plan, then? Give you the necessary clearance, and I agree to work for him?”
“After you help me. And then I’ll owe him too.”
Noah reset the chessboard, keeping his face blank.
Despite his best efforts, the idea lit a fire he hadn’t felt in years.
A sense of listlessness had been slowly creeping over him the last couple of years, especially with the news from the Eastern part of the world, where Fascism, socialism, and Communism all seemed to be spreading.
After the Slump that had gripped England in economic hardship for years, socialism had made inroads here too.
Noah had watched it all with quiet concern, but after Germany had elected a new chancellor—Adolf Hitler—and he’d taken office the year before, the speed of the changes seemed electrified.
Maybe not to those who were more worried about where their next meal might come from but to anyone keeping a wary eye on the situation.
And that was just Europe and the Orient. For Noah, the situation that had been unfolding in Palestine, Syria, and the surrounding lands was just as worrisome.
But when he’d resigned from the military after the war, he’d given up with it the idea that he could effect change. That had been a na?ve, youthful ambition. Now he knew better. Letting himself get seduced by that lie once again would be foolish.
“How long do I have to decide?” he asked at last.
“As long as necessary. But every day that passes, the trail is growing colder, I’m sure. You know how it works. I am considering damning the official channels and going looking on my own, though.”
“But you made the mistake of talking to the officials first—which means they’ll be warned.”
“Exactly.” The legs of Jack’s chair grunted against the hardwood floor as he pushed it back and stood. The fire popped quietly behind them, echoing the silence that seemed to emphasize the need for action. Choices to be made, here and now.
Noah hesitated. He shouldn’t offer without speaking to Ginger first, but this was Jack, after all. Jack would do anything for him. “If you do decide to take that route—I might be willing to help with that too. In fact, we might want to try that first.”
Jack’s eyes darted to his. “Are you serious?”
Noah held his gaze, then nodded as he stood. “Between you, me, and Alastair, we might know enough people that Knight doesn’t know. But we’d have to move quickly. Knight’s likely to be watching.”
Something that looked like relief relaxed Jack’s features. “And here I was thinking you might not help.”
This time Noah smiled. “You wouldn’t be here if you thought that. But maybe you just thought I wouldn’t be interested in breaking the law with you again?”
Jack chuckled. “Maybe.”
“We’ll leave after everyone goes to bed tomorrow. I’ll think of a way of getting out of here without being seen, and we can discuss the details during the day. In the meantime—I have a harder job to face first.”
Their eyes met.
“Ginger,” they said simultaneously. And for the first time in a long time, they laughed together.