The Hitman

The Clue

Nick Sievers' POV

As Brook played the video again, my hand subconsciously found hers. I looked at the girls, our daughters, and frowned. They had grown so much.

I hadn't seen Lila and Henley in forever. And they looked so different now. The only link I still had to them was the picture I kept in my wallet.

But now was the time to focus. To do what I had spent my entire life doing.

Find the target, and eradicate it.

Jay Adler's POV

I stood there, frozen. Unsure how Charles would take the news.

He turned around to face me, his face whiter than usual and his wrinkled hands outstretched.

"My....my grandchildren?"

I nodded. "Nick got married." Not to mention, divorced.

Charles looked up at the imposing portraits surrounding him and ran his hands through his white hair. He shook his head incredulously and whispered, "Grandchildren."

I held my breath. Was he excited? Or angry? Would he accept them? Call them illegitimate? What would Nick do when he knew what I had done?

Charles shook his head and looked at me, as if snapping out of a trance. "I will help you."

Nick Sievers' POV

"Pause the video," I demanded.

Brook hit the pause button and I frowned, rubbing my chin. My hand ran across the rough stubble I hadn't been able to shave since the start of this adventure.

I studied Lila. Something was off....her face was contorted.

"Morse code," I muttered. "I remember teaching her when she was little."

Brook squeezed my hand. "Nick? What do you mean?"

I shook my head. There wasn't enough time to explain. "I need a piece of paper."

Brook ran to a wooden desk and yanked the drawer open. She produced a notebook and tore out a piece of paper. I took it from her as she searched for a pencil.

I frowned and ran my fingers against the frills of the notebook paper. I folded it, then tore off the frills.

Brook returned with a pen and handed it to me.

I nodded gratefully. "Thanks. Can you rewind the video?"

Brook tilted her head and opened her mouth, but I shook my head. My hand found hers on the table.

"Trust me."

We were locked in a staring contest. She had no reason to trust me, after all I'd done. The only thing I had to hold on to was hope. Hope she would do it for the kids.

Brook sighed and nodded before replaying the video.

As the camera moved from Vincent to Lila and Henley, I began writing furiously.

P....E....A....R....L....C....I....T....Y

Brook leaned over my shoulder. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I looked at her. "Lila is blinking in Morse code. This is what she spelled out."

"Pearl City?" Brook asked. "As in, Pearl City, Hawaii? Is that where they are?"

I nodded. "That's what it sounds like."

"But, like, 50,000 people live there! How will we ever find Lila and Henley in time?" Brook glanced at her watch. "We only have eight hours."

I frowned. Pearl City....Pearl City. Why did that sound so familiar?

I gasped. God, I hoped I was wrong.

"Pearl Harbor."