“Thanks, Kody,” Mariah said, relieved. “Is there a Kleenex or something? I’ve got blood on my arms.”
Jag, taken aback, demanded, “What? How bad is it?”
“It hurt a lot when I was getting bit, but it only stings a little now. It’s like I was poked with sewing needles.”
Jag passed her some spare napkins from the cup holder. “Sooo . . . I guess we set off an alarm somehow.”
Kody wound up the window. “You don’t say?”
“I still think we managed to waltz in and waltz out pretty easily, disregarding what just happened,” Mariah said.
“I think the strategy of their security setup is to be nondescript,” Jag told her. “All the cameras and stuff are most likely there to act as a failsafe. It’s possible that we missed other sensors they had because the nanomites came back with their attack mode engaged, just like Marshall’s contact said they would if they were threatened. I’ll have to send the photos we took to Marshall so he can share it with his contact to figure out an alternative to the anti-nanomite. Then hopefully we may still be able to find the means to put an end to the crop destruction.”
T
egan, Aari and Marshall gazed at the elegant blue Victorian house. Its pointed roofs and multiple stone chimneys, along with the many carved facets, made the home seem truly one-of-a-kind. A well-maintained lawn with a few small, gurgling fountains welcomed the three as they walked up the cobblestone path to the house. There was a fragrant aroma of flowers and herbs from gardens on either side of the path which Tegan found to be pleasing.
A golden lion-head door knocker shone in greeting as they walked up the steps. Tegan marveled at the artwork and how lifelike it seemed, then reached for the metal ring and knocked a few times.
The door opened partway a couple of minutes later and an elderly, curly-haired woman peered out. She was small and wore her makeup lightly, but something in her watchful manner bespoke a spirited edge. Her voice was strong yet gentle when she said, “Yes?”
Marshall smiled kindly at her. “Good morning—Mrs. McDowell?”
“That would be me . . . Do I know you?”
“No, ma’am, you don’t. I’m Marshall Sawyer. This is Aari and that's Tegan.” Tegan and Aari tried to make themselves look as sweet and charming as they could while Marshall continued. “We were wondering if you would be able to spare us a few moments of your time. We would like to speak with you about an important person. Someone we believe is very special to you.”
“And who might that be?” she asked, curiosity lifting her brows.
“Elwood McAllister.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the woman’s ocean-blue eyes widened in surprise. “Who are you and what is it about Elwood that you want to know?”
“We’re just regular folks who are very concerned about the crop failures affecting the country. I’m sure you know of it. We have done some extensive research and believe that you may be able to help.”
“Me? What makes you think an old lady like myself, content in my quiet corner of the world, can possibly be of any help?”
“There was an event that happened a long time ago, when Elwood was a teenager. We think he may have seen something that could help us stop this horrific attack on crops across the country.”
Tegan noted how carefully the woman tried to guard her expression; it was easy to see that she was uncertain of what to make of this encounter.
“It was the summer of ’48,” Marshall ventured. “There was a plane crash at the lake. Elwood was there.”
The woman opened the door a little wider and signaled for the Sentry to go on.
“We’re hoping—well, we were at the end of our rope when we found out about Elwood. We’re hoping you might know about an object he might have seen at the wreck site that day; a metal container about this big. Silver colored” He held his hands apart, describing the shape of the canister. When she hesitated, Marshall added imploringly, “Please, ma’am, this is incredibly important. You may have the key to stopping the destruction we are seeing across our country and now, around the world.”
“But how?” she asked, and Tegan could hear the confusion in her voice.
“What is inside the canister could put an end to the crop failures.”
She exhaled and opened the door the rest of the way. “Come in.”
Tegan, jittery, crossed the threshold and was instantly taken by the interior of the house. To her left was the kitchen and to the right was a parlor. The woman led them toward the parlor and invited them to sit on the wooden-legged, floral-patterned sofas. The curtains were drawn back from the large windows to provide a view of the garden and street. A tall cabinet sat in a corner, filled with china dolls and dishes. There were a couple of bookcases on one side of the room and countless framed pictures hung on the walls or sat on corner tables.
“You have a beautiful home,” Tegan told their host.
The woman smiled graciously. “Thank you, dear. My late husband used to build houses, so everything you see here is his work. Of course, I did help with the decorating. He passed away a year ago, may his soul rest in peace.” She sat on the sofa across from them and rested her hands on her lap, one on top of the other. “Now, tell me what you need to know.”
Marshall tapped the tips of his fingers together; Tegan presumed he was composing himself carefully. “Before I begin, Mrs. McDowell, I have to say that it is crucial that this stays between us. There are some bad people out there who will stop at nothing to halt our progress.”
“Why in the world would they want to do that?”
“I really don’t have a clue, but one thing we do know is that they intend for this crop failure to lead to a global catastrophe. Nations could be pitted against each other in a desperate fight for food.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Don’t the authorities know about this?”
Tegan and Aari shot Marshall a look.
You’re handling this.
Marshall glanced at them for a microsecond before addressing their host again. “They do to some extent, but they aren’t equipped to handle this scourge. I will provide you with the complete explanation, I promise, but not today. I really need you to trust me, Mrs. McDowell. I know I’m asking a lot of you but my plea is not for myself. There are malevolent forces at work. The circle of trust is very small . . . And it needs to stay that way for now.”
Tegan couldn’t tell if it was the earnestness in the Sentry’s voice or the sincerity in his eyes, but a sense of calm filled the room as soon as those words were spoken.
The elderly woman slowly rose from the sofa and smoothed out her long beige skirt. “Well . . . alright. But we cannot begin without some tea first. As well, please, do call me Rose.”
Tegan looked at Aari, who in turn was looking at Marshall in wonder. The Sentry smiled and simply shrugged at the positive turn of events.
Rose returned with a lacquered tray and set it down on the table between the two sofas. “Help yourselves, dears. Use as much sugar and milk as you’d like.”
They thanked her and picked up their teacups. She poured for herself as well and took a sip before asking, “So how can I help?”
Marshall swallowed a small mouthful. “As I mentioned earlier, we need to know if Elwood revealed anything to you about a canister he may have seen after the crash at the lake all those years ago.”
Rose took a few more sips from her cup before setting it down and picking up a small photograph from the side table. “Oh, Elwood, you beloved fool.” She held up the photo for Tegan and the others to see.
It showed a young couple standing with their arms around each other and wide smiles of utter joy on their faces. “This was us just over six decades ago,” Rose said. “I loved him dearly. Still do. And I know he certainly loved me. You know, as a young man he imagined buying a motorcycle and traveling across the country with me. And he actually made it happen! We traveled to every state in the lower forty-eight on that bike of his. It was an amazing time.” Her face softened as she reminisced. “A dreamer he was, too. Always looking for a big break, some kind of fortune that would make him rich so he and I could live lives of adventure.
“That morning of the plane crash, he was supposed to be doing chores at the farm. I still remember how his eyes lit up when he told me about it. How astounded he was! It was a clear blue summer day and he was fishing in his canoe when this huge plane flew right over his head, so close that he thought it was going to hit him. The waves from the crash toppled Elwood out of the canoe and into the water amongst all the debris from the plane. He managed to right his boat and got in, only to find it half-filled with water! The men from the plane were clambering into lifeboats and seemed to be having an argument. He called out to them to ask if they were alright, then paddled to shore to get help.
“Elwood wanted to stay, but he knew his parents would be furious with him for missing his chores so he headed back to the farm. When he emptied water from the canoe, though . . . ”
Tegan leaned forward, toes curled. “What? What did he find?”
“He found something—that silver container you’re looking for. Of course the silly boy thought it was some kind of treasure and took it with him back to his house. It was sealed, so it took him ages to get the thing opened. When he did, all he found was silvery-blue dust. Still, he took a sample to the nearest pawn shop to see if it was worth anything. Obviously, the pawnbroker said it wasn’t worth anything. Around that time—this was a couple of weeks later—we heard stories about men in black suits going around town asking questions about the crash. Elwood panicked.” She giggled. “He thought he would be in trouble for taking the container, so my adorable dunce took it and hid it where he was certain no one would be able to find it.”
“Where is it?” Marshall asked readily.
Rose put the photograph back on the table and picked up her tea. “There used to be an old Mormon missionary town that was settled in 1865 on the Colorado River. Over time the town grew into a sizable community. When the work on the Hoover Dam started, that would be 1931 or so, the valley started to flood and the townsfolk were forced to leave. The story they tell around here is that the last resident reluctantly left in his rowboat as water reached his front door. That was in 1938. Eventually the Colorado completely filled the valley and became Lake Mead. The name of the town that was doomed to this watery death,” she paused, “was St. Thomas.” She looked her guests in their eyes. “This was where Elwood hid the canister.”
Aari was astounded. “He dove underwater to hide it?”
“Yes,” Rose said, nodding her head firmly, then beamed. “The water in that part of the lake wasn’t too deep and Elwood was an excellent swimmer. The settlers had dug a few wells in the town. It was inside one of those that Elwood dropped the canister, in a bag weighted down with heavy rocks so it would stay down. That was the last we ever spoke about it.” Rose lifted her gaze skyward and took a deep breath. “If only Elwood were here. If you’re right and the dust in that canister will help stop this scourge . . . then he really did find treasure after all.”
Tegan felt a tug in her heart; an ache for the woman who now lived alone. She reached over and took the woman’s hands. “Thank you for sharing this with us.”
Rose was misty-eyed. “No. Thank you for what you are trying to do, and for making Elwood a hero all over again in my heart.”
There was a silent pause as the visitors respectfully gave space for their host to collect herself. Finally, Marshall broke the stillness. “How do we find this town?” he asked.
Rose stroked the side of her cup, thinking. “I believe it’s about twenty or so minutes from here.”
Aari, who sat in between Tegan and Marshall, scrunched his face. “How are we going to get to the canister? We don’t have any of our diving gear. Or I guess Marshall can—”
“Diving gear?” Rose chuckled. “I would think sunscreen and some water bottles would be a better idea.”
Aari slowly un-scrunched his face. “Pardon?”
“The lake’s water level has dropped in the last decade, dear. St. Thomas is no longer underwater, at least what’s left of it. A few people visit the area sometimes but I must warn you, it gets very hot out there this time of the year. Take lots of water, and a hat, too!”
Tegan, Aari and Marshall stared at each other, unable to register their luck.
This is incredible!
Aari thought.
We need to go! Right now!
“Thank you so much, Rose,” Marshall said huskily. “You have been incredibly helpful. This is the break we’ve been hoping for.”
Their host merely dipped her head. “I normally don’t let complete strangers into my home, dear, but there is something about the three of you that resonates well with me. You can feel that about some people sometimes, a purity, and it erases all doubt. I see it in all of you.”
Tegan was pleasantly taken aback by the woman’s words, as was Aari. Marshall recovered quickly and smoothly as he finished his tea. “That’s very kind of you to say. I can see why Elwood fell in love with you.”
“Oh, pish posh,” Rose said, but she looked happy to hear it. “Go now, dears! You have work to do.”
As the three left the house, the woman called to Marshall. “You take good care of those kids, young man! If not, I’ll be coming after you with my umbrella! And don’t forget the sunscreen!”
Marshall laughed and waved at her as they got into the car. “She’s an interesting mix of sweet and spunky, isn’t she?” he asked.
“I kinda felt like I was looking at an older Mariah,” Tegan said from the backseat as Marshall pulled onto the road.
Aari buckled his seatbelt. “Thank goodness I’m not the only one who thought that!”
“Alright, kiddos, this is it,” Marshall said. “We’re nearly there. Aari, could you locate St. Thomas?”
Aari’s phone went off just then and he picked up. Tegan tried to get him to put the call on speakerphone by flicking his head with her fingers but he was too intent on the conversation. He flailed at her for a minute while speaking into the phone. She knew it had to be either Jag, Mariah or Kody on the other end.
Aari hung up and lightly hit his forehead with his fist. “That was Jag. He and the others infiltrated the nanomites’ base in Ransom last night and got attacked by the things. The nanomites returned earlier than usual so Jag thinks that they may have triggered some kind of silent alarm. Apparently the nanomites went nuts, just like Joshua said they would when their second protocol kicks in. Mariah got a few small chunks of skin taken out but they managed to get away, and she’s doing fine.”