My husband went on a business trip to another city for a month, and I decided to move his favorite cactus in a pot to another place, but accidentally broke it while carrying it. My hair stood on end from what I saw inside…

David was in shock, he refused to believe. We talked for a long time, tried to understand what it all means. And then, already at night, I found that note in John’s office.

He warned of danger, advised to go here, to his aunt. I didn’t know whether to believe, but decided not to risk it. We were going to leave in the morning, but didn’t have time.

They arrived earlier. — Who are they? — I asked. — Two men in black suits, — Sarah replied. — They drove up to the house in a black SUV.

I saw them from the bedroom window and immediately understood that they weren’t with good intentions. David and I managed to slip out through the back door and hide in the neighbors’ shed. We saw how these people broke the door and entered the house.

They turned everything upside down there, looking for something. And then left. We waited until dark and walked to the nearest village. From there on rides we got to Cleveland.

I had Mary’s address, John mentioned her once. — They didn’t follow you? — I asked. Sarah shook her head. — I don’t think so.

We were very careful. I threw away my phone so we couldn’t be tracked. Bought a new one already here in Cleveland to send you a message.

— I don’t know if you got it? — Got it, I nodded. That’s why I came to the cottage. And apparently, I almost ran into the same people. I told about my visit to the cottage, how I hid in the forest from strangers in black suits, about John’s call and his warning.

— So it’s true, — Sarah said thoughtfully. — We really are in danger. — But why? What did John do? And who are these people? All eyes turned to Mary.

If anyone could shed light on John’s secrets, it was probably her. The elderly woman sighed and rose from the sofa. — I’ll brew tea, — she said.

The conversation will be long. While Mary was fussing in the kitchen, Sarah and I exchanged news. I told her about the found note in the box’s cache, about the strange coordinates and ciphers.

— What does it all mean? — Sarah wondered. Sounds like a spy novel, not real life. Maybe it is, — Mary’s voice sounded, who returned with a tray on which stood cups of tea and a plate of cookies.

— Maybe John is really connected to what you would call espionage. She put the tray on the table and sat in the armchair opposite us. — In fact, I’m not John’s aunt, — she began.

— I’m his curator. Or rather, I was, until he decided to leave the game. — Curator? — I asked again. — In what sense? — John works for the special services, Mary explained.

— Or rather, worked. He was an embedded agent in an international criminal group specializing in smuggling weapons and drugs. I couldn’t believe my ears.

— John? A special services agent? It sounded so absurd, so implausible, that I almost laughed. But Mary’s face was absolutely serious. — Is this some kind of joke? — Sarah asked, apparently experiencing the same feelings as I. — I’m afraid not, — Mary shook her head.

John was recruited 15 years ago, still a student. He was specially embedded in the organization. For this, he had to create a new personality, a new biography.

And then another one, when it was necessary to expand the circle of contacts. But why did he have to get married? — Sarah wondered. Why start a family if he worked under cover? This is part of the legend, — Mary explained.

— A family man inspires more trust. Besides, it gave him a certain stability, an anchor in the real world. Agents under deep cover often lose the sense of their own personality.

Family helped John not to forget who he really is. And the second family? — I asked. Why did he need me if he already had Sarah and David? Mary looked at me with sympathy. It wasn’t planned.

John met you during one of the operations. You were supposed to be just a source of information, but he fell in love. Really fell in love, for the first time in many years.

He shouldn’t have married you, it was a violation of all rules, but he couldn’t resist. Her words took my breath away. John really loved me.

Didn’t pretend, didn’t play a role, but actually felt feelings. If you’re his curator, then why did you allow it? — Sarah asked, and I heard bitterness in her voice. Why didn’t you stop him when he decided to start a second family? I tried, Mary sighed. I convinced him that it was too risky, that he was putting himself and both women and the child in danger.

But he was adamant. He said he would cope, that he would be able to protect everyone. And I must admit, he succeeded.

Until recently. What changed? — I asked. Mary hesitated, as if weighing how much she could tell us. Six months ago, John received information about a large shipment of weapons.

Not ordinary, but chemical, prohibited by international conventions. He passed the data to the leadership, and an operation to intercept was prepared. But something went wrong.

The criminals learned about the impending raid and managed to escape. They suspected that there was a mole in their ranks and began checking. John realized that the circle of suspects was narrowing, and his exposure.

Is just a matter of time. He decided to disappear, stage his death and start a new life. With both of you.

How is that? We exhaled simultaneously with Sarah. He had a plan, Mary continued. He prepared documents, money, new identities for you and the child.

He was going to talk to each of you first, explain the situation, and then organize your meeting. He hoped that you could, if not become friends, at least coexist peacefully for the sake of common safety. But he didn’t have time.

He was exposed earlier than he expected. What’s with him now? Sarah asked in a trembling voice. Mary spread her hands. I don’t know.

He contacted me three days ago, said he needed to lie low, that he would get in touch when it’s safe. There has been no news from him since then. A heavy silence fell in the room.

Each of us tried to comprehend what we heard. John. Not just a person leading a double life, but a special services agent under cover.

It explained a lot. His frequent absences, strange phone conversations, unwillingness to talk about his work. But accepting this truth was not easy.

And what should we do now? David asked, who had been silently listening to the conversation until then. Are we in danger? Mary nodded. I’m afraid yes.

If the criminals got on John’s trail, they can get to you too. To use as leverage or just out of revenge. So, now we have to hide for the rest of our lives? Sarah asked bitterly.

Not for the rest of our lives, Mary shook her head. John left you a way to salvation. Emily, you talked about some note with coordinates and ciphers.

I nodded and took out from my pocket the folded sheet of paper found in the box’s cache. Here, read it yourself. Mary took the note and carefully studied it.

That’s what I thought, she nodded. These are instructions on how to find a shelter and money that John prepared for you. The coordinates point to a place in Pennsylvania woods.

Probably there is some cache with documents or keys. The mention of the molar. That’s about John.

He really has a cavity in his tooth with a microchip. It contains the encryption key for access to the server with additional documents. And the access code to the account.

This is apparently for the bank account where the money for a new life is. But how will this help us? I asked. John disappeared, the encryption key is with him. How do we get access to these documents and the account? Mary thought.

Perhaps there is a copy of the key. John was foresightful, he probably made a backup copy. Maybe it’s in the cache at the specified coordinates? So we need to go there? Sarah clarified.

I’m afraid yes, Mary nodded. But it’s risky. You may be followed.

I remembered the strange men in black suits who searched Sarah’s cottage. Were they criminals tracking John? Or maybe special services agents, John’s colleagues, trying to find him or protect his family? And can’t you help? I asked Mary. If you’re his curator, you should have resources, connections.

The elderly woman shook her head. I’ve been retired for three years. Officially, I have no relation to John’s operation.

I can give advice, provide temporary shelter, but nothing more. Besides, the situation is complicated. John has been acting lately at his own risk, not always informing the leadership.

So I’m not even sure who can be trusted. So we’re alone, Sarah summed up. Only we ourselves can help ourselves.

Silence fell. Each of us plunged into our thoughts. The situation seemed hopeless.

We were threatened with danger, John disappeared, and the only thread to salvation was a mysterious cache somewhere in Pennsylvania woods. I think we should go to these coordinates, I finally said. What do we have to lose? If there really is something there that will help us start a new life, the risk is justified.

Sarah nodded. Agreed. But how will we get there? We have no car, and public transport won’t take us to a remote forest.

I have a car, Mary offered. Old, but running. I can lend it.

But it’s better for you to go at night, to attract less attention. We discussed the details of the trip. Decided to leave at midnight, when the roads would be empty.

Mary gave us a map of Pennsylvania, marking the place corresponding to the coordinates from the note. It was indeed a forest, aside from populated areas. How will we find the cache there? What if the coordinates are given with insufficient accuracy, and we’ll have to search hundreds of square meters of forest thicket? But there was no choice.

This was our only chance for salvation. We spent the rest of the day in Mary’s house, preparing for the night journey. The elderly woman gave us warm clothes, flashlights, food and water supplies.

We studied the map, trying to plot the safest route. And all this time I couldn’t stop thinking about John. Where is he now? Is he alive? And when will we see him again, if at all? At eleven in the evening we were ready to depart…