“Normal?” Rory cried. “Normal? The only reason I'm even alive is because Wampage repressed my abilities. Mom works every moment of every day to keep food on the tableâwe never see her anymore. And now . . . now it feels like everyone is trying to get me.”
“Rory, I never wanted . . .” Mr. Hennessy began, despondent, but Rory wasn't done yet.
“You could have protected me,” he said angrily. “Kieft has been searching for me since I was born, to kill me. You could have watched out for me instead of leaving me to face Mannahatta on my own.”
“I'm sorry,” his father said miserably. “I didn't know. I swear, I didn't know . . .”
“Would you have stayed if you did know?” Rory asked. Mr. Hennessy looked shocked at the question. Slowly, he nodded.
“I'd like to think I would have,” he said.
“I guess we'll never know,” Rory answered bitterly. They lapsed into silence, neither looking at the other. What was left to say?
Rory approached Alexa's room, noticing that the door was ajar. He could hear her talking quietly but urgently to Simon.
“I saw those plates, Simon. There is no way they could have survived that storm. No way. That floor should have been littered with broken china. Instead, there they all sat, a perfect set. Of good china. How do you explain that?”
“Alexa,” Simon began, “these are just well-made plates. They're only a notch below a Flora Danicaâ” He stopped himself as he realized he'd said too much.
“Flora Danica?” Alexa cried. “How do you even know what that means? I can't believe this. Take it off, right now!”
“Butâ” Simon cut off as he noticed Rory standing in the doorway. He eagerly latched onto Rory's presence in order to change the subject.
“How'd it go?” he asked.
Rory didn't answer. He stumbled over to the bed and collapsed at its foot. Her argument put on hold, Alexa sat down next to him.
“You did it, Rory,” she said. “Finding Buck alive changes everything. Tackapausha has to listen to his son. We've got a real chance to avert war.”
“I know,” Rory said miserably. “It feels really good.” He began to cry. Simon shot Alexa a helpless look then punched Rory lightly on the arm.
“Cheer up there, soldier!” he said with false brightness. “Welcome to the disappointing dad club! You should come to the meetings. We serve punch. Get it?”
Rory only cried harder. Alexa enveloped him in her arms.
“It's okay, Rory. It's okay.”
She comforted him as Simon looked on awkwardly. After a moment the tears dried up. Now a new worry rose in his heart. What was he going to tell Bridget?
25
UNDER THE ANGEL
A
fter trekking back down the mountain, Bridget and her companions decided they needed a ride, since their little homing wampum was leading them far to the south. So they followed the trail right to Sergeant Peacock and Private Kindernook's little fort. The two soldiers happily lent their horses to the cause against the British, with the warning that if let free, the horses would return north to their owners. Thanking them profusely, Finn and Soka climbed atop one steed, while Bridget cradled Tucket in her arms on the other. Hans had finally woken up, groggy and in pain from his injured arm, but he refused to take off his armor to look at his injuries. Bridget placed him in the saddlebag, where he lay muttering ideas for new inventions to himself to keep his mind off the pain.
They took off, galloping away at full speed. Bridget's horse didn't need much guiding; it seemed happy to follow its friend. Soka held the wampum, so Bridget just concentrated on holding on to Tucket without falling off.
They raced south, passing through the North Woods and the Ravine, outracing the coyotes that still milled about the river, finally bursting out onto the Great Lawn. They galloped past the hordes of sunbathers, scattering a flock of wild turkeys that gobbled unseen and unheard in their midst. They made their way around the Ramble along the edge of the park, and still the bead led them on, skirting the boaters' pond and finally pulling up at a trot to Bethesda Plaza.
“The pull is strongest right here,” Soka called, dismounting. The rest of them followed, gazing around the crowded plaza. Soka began to scan the plaza for clues of Abigail's whereabouts; Bridget stepped forward to follow, guiding her horse, when Finn sidled up beside her.
“You don't like me,” he said.
“You don't know that!” Bridget replied, too startled by his bluntness to come up with anything better.
“I've heard enough about Rory Hennessy on this trip to see where you stand. I know you think I'm trying to steal your brother's girl. You probably think I'm some kind of rogue, with a woman at every tavern.”
“Yeah,” Bridget agreed. “That's pretty much it.”
“I can't help the way I look,” Finn said, his handsome features making a perfect pout. “I can't help that women act the way they do around me. Most of them are just silly girls, you know. Nothing like Soka. Or you, for that matter.”
“Hey!” Bridget exclaimed. “Watch yourself!”
“I'm only saying that you are a strong person,” Finn said, putting his hands up with an ingratiating smile. His eyes softened. “And Soka . . . Soka is like no one I've ever known. Adventurous, smart, not afraid to fight for what she believes in. How can I not fall in love? I know, I know . . . according to you, she's meant for your brother. And who knows, maybe that will all work out just the way you want it to. To hear Soka talk about him, he practically walks on water. And if that's what she wants, then I will step aside. But I won't give up without even trying. Surely, you can understand that.”
He looked over at Soka, who was tugging thoughtfully on her braid as she searched around the edge of the plaza. A look of longing passed over his face and for the first time Bridget felt sorry for the guy. But then loyalty took over and she scowled.
“I know what this is,” she informed him haughtily. “You're trying to trick me into helping you. Well, it won't work! We're on different teams, mister! I'm on Team Rory and you're on Team Pretty Boy!”
“Well, I had to try,” Finn said, shaking his head with a rueful smile.
“Let's just find Abigail, and no more being tricky!” Bridget said.
Leading the horse, she jogged over to join Soka's search. Bridget hoped Abigail wasn't buried under the flagstones . . . that would be a heartbreaking end. Bridget sighed. She'd thought this was supposed to be the easy part.
She stepped back, taking in all of Bethesda Plaza. She couldn't believe she'd just been here two days earlierâit felt like a lifetime ago that Askook had attempted to destroy her. She glanced up at the angel in the fountainâthe angel still gazed mournfully at the ground, same as always.
She froze, staring at the statue. How could she not have seen it before? It was right there in the bronze features, in front of her this whole time. Soka stepped up next to her.
“What is it?” the Munsee girl asked. She followed Bridget's gaze and her jaw dropped. “She looks just likeâ” Soka gasped. Dropping the reins, Bridget ran forward, climbing into the fountain. Soka followed, the two of them splashing as they raced toward the statue.
“What is it?” Finn called from the edge of the fountain, where he was now holding both horses. “What did you find?”
Bridget reached the base of the pedestal and stared upward. She pointed excitedly.
“Look!” she cried. “In her hand! It's a bead!”
Sure enough, a small bronze bead lay clutched in the outstretched hand of the statue.
“I can't believe it,” Soka breathed.
Bridget's eyes shone with vindication. “Abigail is the angel in Bethesda Fountain!”
“Mon Dieu, you're right!” a voice said from behind them, drenched in a thick French accent. Spinning, they came face-to-face with Pierre Duchamp, limping out of the trees. “You found her!
“Granddad!” Finn cried. “What are you doing here?”
“I am with Penhawitz! He lies injured, just beyond the trees. He came to me soon after you left with the news that he'd picked up Abigail's trail again. You were too far north to send word, so we decided to follow it south ourselves. Earlier today, we were waylaid by coyotes, not far from here. I came to the pond for some water, never guessing that the object of our hundred-year search waited here, hidden under our very noses!”
“Penhawitz is injured!” Soka cried. “We must go to him.”
“Of course,” Pierre agreed. “But first, I must know. If you found Abigail, you must have found the cave!”
“We did, Grandfather!” Finn told him excitedly. “It was hidden behind a huge sheet of ice. We had to fight off a great bear to reach it. Both the dog and the battle roach were sorely injured.”
“But you entered the cave?” Pierre's eyes glinted. Bridget suddenly didn't like the look on the old man's face. Soka seemed to notice it as well. She warily stepped forward, feet splashing in the pool.
“How far is my uncle?” she asked. “Are his injuries grave?”
“He will be fine,” Pierre assured her. “What did you find? What treasure did Kieft hide away?”
“Take me to Penhawitz.”
“Of course. But you must tell me: what did you find?”
“We will talk all about it once I see to my uncle,” Soka said, her face stone.
“Why are you playing games with me?” Pierre asked, his brow furrowing in irritation. “What did you find in the cave?”
Finn looked puzzled at Soka's reluctance, so he jumped in. “It was amazing, Grandfatherâ”
“Finn!” Soka cut him off. “Don't say another word.”
“Why are you acting like this?” Finn asked. “He deserves to knowâ”
“I'm not so sure about that,” Soka replied. “Something's not right here.”
“Unbelievable!” Pierre cried. He suddenly pulled out a pistol and trained it on Soka. “Is this how you want it? You are just like your uncle.”
“Grandfather!” Finn cried, shocked. “What are you doing?”
“I am finishing what I started a century and a half ago, boy.” Pierre waved the gun in the air. “Where is my treasure!”
“How old is that pistol?” Soka asked calmly. “It looks more elderly than you are.” Bridget noticed that the gun in Pierre's hand looked pitted and worn, like an ancient relic you hang on the wall. “Can you even shoot that thing?”
Pierre sneered and fired once in the air. The retort rang through the plaza as a huge cloud of smoke drifted from the barrel. “Old, yes. Useless, no. And if you even take one step toward me, paper girl, the next bullet goes right between Soka's eyes.”
“You're a horrible man!” Bridget cried. “How could you stick Abigail in that statue for all these years?”
“She did that herself,” Pierre said. “She had a piece of parchment in her hand when I caught up with her here, at the fountain. She warned me that she had a spell that would help her escape from me, and from everyone, until her father came to get her. Deluded girl, thinking her daddy would ever come. Before I could stop her, she read the spell off the page, and it fused her with that statue up there. I've often wondered if that was the escape she had in mind. I don't think she was too familiar with that spell. I'm fairly sure she must have found it in Kieft's cave. Part of the treasure you're going to bring to me.”
“Did you lie to me about everything?” Finn asked, his face ashen.
“No, no. I guided her up that mountain, just as she asked. And we were separated by the blizzard. But I found her again, a day later, wandering down the path. She almost told me what she'd found in Kieft's cave, but something in my eager manner must have tipped her off that I wanted the treasure for myself, because she suddenly stopped and refused to speak further. When I tried to persuade her more forcefully, she escaped me and I followed her across the park, until I caught up just in time to witness her little statue trick. I tried going back to the Great Hill, but I couldn't find the cave. I took Penhawitz up there, hoping that his Munsee magic would lead me to the spoils. But nothing . . . until you came along.”
“Is my uncle even with you?” Soka asked.
“Oh yes,” Pierre assured her. “Though he has had better days. Our trip up the mountain ended with him suspecting me, so I struck him before he could strike me. He gave me this limp, but surprise was on my side and I have him in my power now.”
“I knew there wasn't any giant squirrel!” Bridget cried.
“Take me to my uncle,” Soka commanded.
“Tell me about the treasure or I'll shoot you,” Pierre said coldly, aiming at Soka. Soka put up her hands.
“I will tell you,” she said. “But first I want to know that Penhawitz is all right. If it were your kin, you would do the same.”
Pierre glanced at his grandson, who was staring back at him in horror. A look of pain flashed across the old man's face. He waved his gun at them. “Get out of the fountain. I will take you to see him. And then you will tell me all about Kieft's treasure and this whole ordeal will be over before you know it . . .”
Pierre made them release the horses, so Soka put Hans carefully in one of her pouches while Bridget carried Tucket in her arms. Pierre took them away from the plaza, down a little path that led under a small bridge.
Once they were underneath, he pushed on some of the stones, which moved to the side to reveal a little room. Inside the room, blinking in the light, sat a bound and gagged Munsee with long, flowing hair.
“Uncle!” Soka cried, running to his side. Finn crouched down beside her, leaving Bridget standing next to the old man with the gun. He wasn't even looking at her as he trained the gun on Soka.