Page 167 of Hidden Tide
His smile.
The way he looked directly into the camera before destroying it.
“He wanted to hurt her,” I say.
“He wanted to frighten all of you,” Ben replies. “Fear makes people move quickly. It makes them protect the object in front of them without looking at what’s happening behind them.”
“Elliot,” Willow says.
Ben nods. “Simon knew we would focus on Hazel’s trunk after seeing the recording. That gave his people time to take Elliot.”
“And now?” Marquez asks.
“Now Simon expects us to transport the trunk somewhere secure. He also expects us to use decoys.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“We make him believe he found the real one.”
Marquez looks unconvinced.
“How?”
“You have a security problem inside the Coast Guard,” Ben says. “Use it.”
Keating’s expression hardens. “You want us to leak the transport route.”
“Only to one person.”
“Kessler,” Storm says.
“He’s being questioned,” Keating reminds her.
“That doesn’t mean he isn’t communicating with someone,” Ben answers. “Tell him the winding key was found inside the music box.”
Thomas frowns. “But Simon has it.”
“Exactly. If Simon learns we found a key, he’ll believe his is a decoy.”
I understand.
“He’ll think Grandpa made two keys.”
“And he won’t risk waiting,” Ben says. “He’ll come for the trunk before we can open it.”
Marquez walks to the map.
“Simon won’t come himself.”
“No,” Ben agrees. “But he’ll send someone who can lead us to him.”
Keating looks toward the door. “What do you need?”
“My team.”
“You have them.”
Ben shakes his head.
