Dashkov took out a cigarette and lit it, sucking in the tobacco smoke and letting it out slowly. “These men, they are not like you. They are not good people.”

There was more to it than that. Rook waited.

“Sometimes I see things and look the other way. Understand?”

Rook did understand. The Chess Team had to do the same on occasion to serve the greater good. Deals with drug dealers, warlords, and gunrunners weren’t uncommon when fighting a greater enemy. “Then I will look the other way, too.”

After another long drag, Dashkov shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” He started to walk away.

Rook took his arm and spun him around. His patience was gone. If it took the blunt truth to make this man help him, so be it. “Hey,” he said, his voice full of mirth. Rook pulled up his shirt revealing a swath of bandages with red polka dots of blood staining them. He pulled up the bandages revealing a splash of bruised skin and several small holes sewed up with thread. “Your sister saved my life.”

Dashkov leaned in and looked at the wounds. “She used thread?”

“She did the best she could with what she had.”

“She always did.” Dashkov looked moved, but not convinced.

“I haven’t told you how she died.”

Dashkov lost his taste for tobacco and flicked the cigarette into the ocean. “I haven’t asked.”

“She died protecting me. Took the bullet meant for me and four more on top of it.” Rook made sure the man’s eyes were trained on his. “Her last wish in this life is that you would help me.”

After a deep sigh, the old fisherman asked, “Who shot her?”

It was Rook’s turn to glance at the patrol boat. Dashkov understood and gave a nod. “I will drop you off at the first port in Norway. It is not a place I would spend any time, but it is the best I can do. You will act as my first mate and will feign illness. Understood?”

“Don’t worry,” Rook said. “I can follow orders.”

Dashkov squinted at him. “I’m sure.”

An hour later Dashkov and Rook boarded his fishing boat, the Songbird. As he led Rook belowdecks, Dashkov whispered a reminder. “Remember. Do not react to what you see. Do not speak to these men. I am simply introducing you so that they are not caught off guard by your presence. If these men do not like the way you sneeze they are liable to throw us both overboard.”