随后

Emily followed Benjamin into the house. The interior was filled with a warm, homely atmosphere, with family photos lining the walls, each telling a story of shared memories and precious moments. As they stepped into the living room, Benjamin's wife, Maria, emerged from the kitchen, a kind - hearted woman with a gentle smile.

"Hello," Maria greeted Emily with a friendly voice. "Please, have a seat."

After they all settled down, and Emily had taken a sip of the coffee Benjamin had prepared, the conversation gradually turned back to the topic at hand. Maria, who had been listening attentively, suddenly spoke up.

"I just remembered something," she said, her eyes lighting up as if a forgotten memory had just resurfaced. "When Mark was still alive, he once mentioned an old acquaintance. He said this person lived at 37 South Port Avenue in Rotterdam."

Emily's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. This was a completely unexpected lead. She quickly put down her coffee cup and reached for her notebook. "That's incredible, Maria. Can you tell me anything else about this acquaintance? Did Mark say what their relationship was?"

Maria furrowed her brow in concentration, trying to recall every detail. "He didn't say much more than that. Just that this was an old friend from his days with Admiral Jacob. He seemed to have a lot of respect for this person, but he also said that the memories associated with this friend were a bit complicated."

Benjamin nodded in agreement. "I do vaguely remember him talking about someone from Rotterdam, but I never paid much attention to it at the time. I had no idea it could be related to Admiral Jacob's story."

Emily's mind was racing. She knew that Rotterdam had been a significant location during World War II, with its ports playing a crucial role in the war efforts. The fact that Mark had mentioned an acquaintance there in connection with Admiral Jacob could be a major breakthrough.

"Do you think this person might still be alive?" Emily asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Benjamin and Maria exchanged a look. "It's hard to say," Benjamin replied. "It's been so many years. But if there's any chance this person could help with your story, it might be worth looking into."

Emily couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "I'm definitely going to look into it. This could be the key we've been looking for. Thank you both so much for sharing this information."

She spent the next few hours with Benjamin and Maria, going over every possible detail they could remember about Mark's mention of the person in Rotterdam. As she left their house, Emily felt a new sense of determination. She was one step closer to unraveling the mysteries surrounding Admiral Jacob, and she was eager to see where this new lead would take her. Back at her office, she immediately started researching the address in Rotterdam, hoping to find some trace of the mysterious acquaintance and unlock the secrets that had been hidden for so long.