"This is it," Liz said, jabbing her finger onto the page. "See, look at this. It's almost more like hieroglyphs in a way. Almost like a -"
"Language," Macey said.
Liz's eyes shone in the dim room. "Yeah, that exactly it."
"And you don't crack languages - not really," Bex said. "You learn them."
"Or you translate them," Macey said.
"Exactly. Mr. Solomon didn't leave a bunch of crazy scribblings on a board . . ." Liz started.
"He left a key." Macey reached out to take the book. She ran her finger over the page. "Is this Mr. Solomon's handwriting?"
"No," I found myself whisper. "It's my dad's."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Covert Operations Report
(Translated by Operative Morgan and Sutton)
Day 1
Joe's nightmares are back.
He says they're nothing, but I can hear him screaming down the hall - something about Blackthorne and Vatican City. Last night I ran to his room and found him reaching, half asleep, for a knife.
He says he had an op go bad there. Only problem is, according to Langley, Agent Joseph Solomon has never been to Rome.
Day 26
I wish someone would tell me that it's okay to spy on my best friend. I keep this journal in code. I listen to his calls. Tonight I followed him to a dead letter drop in Georgetown.
I wish someone would tell me that I'm crazy. It would be far better than being right, because all I can think about is the passport I found in his safety deposit box (yeah, I also broke into his safety deposit box).
Three years ago he went to Rome on a passport not issued by the CIA - at the same time that someone tried to kill the Pope.
With a knife.
I really hope I'm going crazy.
Day 92
I think I know what Jose was. What he is?
But . . . no. it can't be true.
I don't want it to be true.
Day 96
Some people say the Circle doesn't exist - that there is no ancient association of spies and assassins out to manipulate the world order, but it turns out they are real.
Turns out my roommate is one.
Turns out a people are.
Day 100