Page 45 of Once a Hero

“What?”

“Were you the person who called Helen in Cannes?”

Beatrice didn’t reply.

“No comment? Or pleading the fifth?”

“Why are you asking me all these questions?” Beatrice turned her attention back to the laptop screen.

“I think that answers it. You didn’t want me to die at sea, did you?” Jake asked.

Beatrice drew a deep breath. She looked at Jake directly and said, “My regret is that we couldn’t find you sooner.”

“Thank you.” Jake’s heart warmed. He had met his rescuer. “You didn’t have to help me.”

“We’re on the same side, aren’t we?” Beatrice asked.

Jake nodded. “We are. Someday, I’ll return the favor.”

“No need. You helped many by infiltrating Molyneux’s camp. You sacrificed three years of your life doing that for the benefit of the world at large.”

“How did you know all that?” Jake’s mind went everywhere.

Beatrice seemed hesitant to answer him. Then she sighed. “You have a mole in the FBI.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“Does your brother know?”

“I don’t speak for my brother. You can ask him, but he may not speak with you.” Beatrice drank more cold water. “All I can say is that you need to find that mole or you will always be one step behind Molyneux.”

“Okay, lovebirds,” Kenichi said through the speakers. “No more chatting. Class is in session. We’re going around the back.”

They watched the drone circle the cabin. There was dense forest by the back porch. The deck floor looked damp and was rotting in some places.

“I don’t think anyone’s lived there in a while,” Beatrice said. “Are you sure it’s the right cabin?”

“Unless Philomena gave us false information—which can happen,” Jake said. “After all, why would she tell us where she lived if she didn’t have to?”

“Yeah. Treasure hunters like us might want to check it out—Whoa! Did you see that?” Kenichi navigated the drone back to one of the windows that was less clouded over.

The camera zoomed in.

On the kitchen floor, next to the butcher block, was a body. Very dead.

Still sitting next to Jake, Beatrice shrieked, and the bottled water fell from her hand.

Cold water spilled all over Jake’s lap.

Chapter Twenty

Kenichi hightailed away from the pond like a bat flying out of a cave. He leapt inside the van, still clutching his drone. Sweat had drenched his shirt. He slid the door shut. “Go go go!”

“Someone call 911.” Beatrice sat down in the driver’s seat and fastened her seatbelt.

“Not staying to talk to the police?” Jake asked.

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