The night was cold, the kind of cold that seeps into your bones and stays there, no matter how many layers you’re wearing. I was standing on the docks, the salty air from the bay mixing with the sharp smell of diesel. The rhythmic lapping of the water against the boats was the only sound, a steady beat that echoed the tension in the air. I pulled my jacket tighter around me, my eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. It was late, and I didn’t have the luxury of wasting time. If the mole didn’t show up soon, I’d have to make other arrangements.
Then, I saw him—a figure slipping out from behind a stack of shipping containers, moving with a cautious grace that betrayed years of experience. He was nervous, that much was obvious, but he kept his composure as he approached. I recogn
