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been afraid—but Stillman’s announcement threatened something more precious than his own life. If he knew Ash Kelly was Marco Toriago, then there was a good chance he also knew the truth about his family.
    He said, “Ash Kelly agreed to work for the SDECE. Not Marco Toriago. He died eight years ago.”
    “Yes, I know how the story goes. You died in a Mexican prison along with your father. We both know that fabrication was the handiwork of Adolf Merrick. The legacy your father left behind is ready to be reborn, and with it, you, twice as disreputable as you were in the old days. At the moment I have no need for the Ashtray, but I do have need for his notorious counterpart.”
    “This isn’t what I agreed to.”
    “You agreed to work for me in whatever capacity I require. You agreed to that to save Onyxx. A loyal gesture. Does that mean Marco Toriago has grown a conscience?”
    “I said, he’s dead.”
    “I hope not, for your sake and your family’s. I am curious how Merrick managed it, though. The head of a famous drug cartel’s son turned special agent. What did he promise you? Refuge for your family? New identities? Freedom and a happy ending for all if you sold your soul to him?”
    “My family isn’t a part of this.”
    Ash had meant to keep his voice even, but he’d failed, and like the snake he was, Stillman struck quickly.
    “On the contrary, I’d say that your family has been the driving force behind everything you’ve done since Merrick pulled you out of that ghetto prison. Now then, let’s get down to business. Your plane leaves within the hour for Budapest.”
    “What’s in Budapest?”
    “It’s where an important delivery is about to take place. One you are going to intercept. The courier is Filip Petrov, and Casso Salavich is his destination. I’m sure you’ve heard of him. He’s an untouchable who has his fingers in more dirty deals than we can count.”
    Ash knew who he was. “And what will I be intercepting?”
    “A top secret disk was stolen from the SDECE. For security reasons, the disk was treated with an acid solution that would scramble it in twenty-four hours if it was exposed to air. It was also encrypted. I’m not sure if you’ll be looking for another disk, or if it will be a hard copy.”
    “Is there a chance the acid wiped out the disk before the data was stripped?”
    “I don’t think that happened.”
    “Why?”
    “Because Filip is on his way to Salavich, who is a master decoder. Filip wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t carrying the information on him. He has it, some form of it, and within days it’s about to be decoded.”
    “What’s on it?”
    “The SDECE’s security codes. All of them. Your job is to recover it before it’s decoded.”
    “From Casso Salavich.”
    Stillman smiled. “Normally that would be difficult, getting close to a man who never leaves his house without an army of bodyguards, but the good news is, he’s being challenged by a number of his enemies who would like to take control of his drug trafficking operation. As you well know, the demand to stay on top in the drug business is a heavy burden. At present he is looking for more power, and a way to prove himself kingpin.”
    Ash listened, knowing where this was headed.
    “You’re going to be his salvation and lift his burden by going into business with him. At least it will appear that way, a viable cover for you to infiltrate his operation and recover the stolen data when it arrives.”
    “That’s it? Recover the data?”
    “Not quite. There’s still the matter of who stole the disk.”
    “Do you know?”
    “ Oui . At the time I wasn’t aware of it, but there was a traitor among us at the SDECE.” Stillman released a heavy sigh. “I have reason to believe it was Jazmin Grant.”
    “Then your problem is solved. Grant died at Nescosto.”
    “There’s no proof of that. Just because you blew Nescosto sky high doesn’t mean everyone died. Filip Petrov managed to