He found a candle in a holder on a nearby shelf, lit it, and turned to the back page. He held the paper well above the flame, close enough to warm the page, but not close enough to singe it, and watched as words in tight script appeared.
Brock,
I have every confidence that you will find this letter. You are the cleverest member of my family and the one most like me in character and spirit. You did not tell me why you left after your parents’ deaths, but I believe I understand.
We live in a world of wonder, a world of light, but the darkness is ever-encroaching, and it is only by the works of dedicated men that evil can be held at bay. I believe you are such a man. You are gifted in every way a man can be, but you are more than your strength and intelligence. You are a man of character and compassion, and you wield your gifts wisely.
All that I have I have left for you- this house and all the secrets it contains, including a lifetime of knowledge, are yours, but the greatest part of your inheritance awaits you if you have the courage to seek it. You may choose to forfeit it if you wish, but know that I have good reason to believe others will always seek it, sometimes forcefully, and I fear there is nothing you can do to avoid the danger except stand and face it. If you are the man I believe you are, I know you will not turn and run.
If you choose to accept this inheritance, you will have at your disposal the means to stand against evil and emerge victorious. It is my hope that you will do what I lacked the strength of body and force of will to do.
With pride and affection,
Grandfather
Beneath the letter, Samuel had sketched a map of an island chain, the center island rendered in detail, with a dotted line winding around landmarks and terminating at the island’s center. The map lacked any names, compass points, or coordinates. Stone would have to match the islands to known maps in order to find his way, and he had a good idea where he should begin.
He handed the journal to Alex and began pacing like a caged puma while his friend read the letter.
“I would ask what you’re planning to do about this,” Alex said, closing the book, “but I know you too well for there to be any doubt.”
“I still have research to do, but when I locate this island, I’m going to find out what’s there. Will you go with me?”
“What?” Alex blanched. “I don’t… I mean…” He took a deep breath. “I can’t just leave work.”
“You’ll work for me. I’ll match your current salary plus ten percent.” Stone laid a big hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I need someone I can trust, and I don’t have anyone else.”
Alex looked wildly around the room, as if searching for an excuse. Finally, his shoulders sagged and he nodded. “Of course I’ll do it.”
Stone felt a flash of guilt. “I know I sprang this on you, and it could be dangerous, so take time to consider before you answer.”
Alex shook his head. “No need. I do want to go with you. I’ve never forgotten the adventures we pretended to have as children. I’d like to experience one real one in my life.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” Alex managed a smile. “I’ll go with you.”
8- The Chase
“Stone!” Moses’ head appeared in the doorway. “Miss Trinity called. She needs your help.”
Stone didn’t wait for an explanation but made a beeline for the doorway. As he took the steps two at a time, Moses followed along behind and elaborated.
“She said she went to the cab company and didn’t find nothing, but they acted funny,” Moses explained. “When she went to leave, they offered her a ride, but she didn’t feel right about it. Now, she thinks somebody’s following her, but she ain’t rightly sure.”
Stone had tasked Trinity with investigating the owners of the cab that had picked up his attacker outside Porter’s office. It had seemed a harmless way of diverting her.
“Where is she?” Stone demanded.
“She called from a diner on H Street. She was going to wait for you there, but she thought somebody was watching her, so she decided to walk back to her office.”
“Of course she did!” Stone slammed a meaty fist into his open palm. “That’s Trinity for you. Impulsive as always. Did she call the police?”
“I asked her that, but she said they’d just figure she was another hysterical woman.” Moses forced a half-smile and shrugged, as if to say, “Do you really think I could make Trinity do something she didn’t want to do?”
“She’s probably right, but I still wish she’d have called them.”
After retrieving his Webley, he ran outside, with Moses trotting along a few steps behind him. He burst through the front door and hurried in the direction of the old carriage house. “You said you’ve got my Indian running?” he called over his shoulder.
“Yes, sir. It’s ready to go.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Alex had appeared on the front step.
Stone shook his head. “You call the police. I don’t care what you tell them or how you do it, but get them out looking for Trinity.”
Stone’s Indian Scout motorcycle waited in the carriage house. Moses had polished it to a high sheen, and the red paint and silver chrome reflected the shafts of afternoon sunlight that streamed through cracks in the wall. The low-slung bike, with its long wheelbase and backswept handlebars, brought back fond memories, but there was no time to reminisce. He hopped on, fired up the engine and, in a flash, was zooming toward the capital city.
Best known for its handling, the Scout wasn’t the most powerful motorcycle on the market, but it could hold its own. As Stone accelerated, though, he discovered that Moses had done more than maintain the engine; he’d improved it. He felt a surge of power as the bike hurtled down the road lickety-split. He took the corners as fast as he dared, and opened it up on the straightaways. Before he knew it, the stark, white peak of the Washington Monument came into view.
He performed a few mental calculations. He didn’t know exactly where Trinity had been when she made the call, nor what route she’d taken to her office. The most direct path would lead her past the Capitol Building and the Treasury Department. To be safe, he swung around to H Street and followed it down toward the National Mall. Weaving in and out of the light traffic, he kept his eyes peeled as he shot down the street. A few pedestrians cast admiring glances his way— the men at his motorcycle, the ladies at him, but he remained focused on finding Trinity.
The longer he rode without spotting her, the hollower the feeling in his chest. Why had he allowed her to put herself in danger? He’d thought letting her investigate the cab company good way to safely redirect her attention, but if her instincts were correct, the company itself was dirty. If anything had happened to her, he vowed to pay them a visit and settle the score however he saw fit.
He slowed for pedestrians at the intersection of H Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and a figure darted out of the crowd, heading directly for him. Unthinking, he grabbed his Webley and leveled it at the figure, who shrieked.
“Stone! It’s me, you dolt!”
Stone’s entire body sagged with relief as Trinity scrambled onto the back of the oversized seat of his Indian and wrapped her arms around his waist. How many times had they ridden like this in their youth?
“What are you waiting for, you big lug? Go!” she shouted in his ear.
Grinning with relief, Stone took the Indian down Pennsylvania Avenue. As they flashed past the White House, a pleasant wave of nostalgia swept over him. Trinity riding on the back of his bike, barking orders and expecting to be obeyed without question. He’d missed this.