While she appreciated the history lesson, she needed Frank to hurry.
They approached one door, but the key didn’t work.
“Must be the other closet.” Frank led her to the opposite side of the bell tower. This time when he inserted the key, the door swung open. “Here we are.”
Lila peered inside. Bell oil, cleaning supplies, brooms, and shovels occupied the closet. In the corner stood several boxes. “Maybe this is what I’m looking for.” She turned to Frank. “I don’t want to hold you up. I’ll close and lock the door when I leave.” She flashed her biggest and nicest smile.
He hesitated. “Fine, just tug hard on the door to make sure it’s closed good and tight. I’ll be downstairs if you need any help.” Sweeping a glance into the room, he scurried away.
Now that Lila stood in the closet, she blinked several times before heading to the boxes in the corner. The first box revealed Christmas decorations and the second box contained more cleaning supplies. The third box contained files. Lila’s heart skipped a beat. The first folder contained information on the manufacturer of the brass bells, including information on care and maintenance. The next file contained similar information. Halfway through the box, she opened a file labeled LS. The next document sucked the air out of the tiny closet. She shoved the file into her purse, replaced the boxes, and shut the door.
Rushing down the stairs with the thick file, she spotted Cody. They made eye contact before she exited the church and jumped into her car. Once she’d traveled about a block from the church, her secured phone rang.
“Where were you?” Cody said.
“In a storage room. I have several stops to make.” Lila glanced into her rearview mirror at Cody right behind her.
She drove to a library across town. Half hour later, she’d had three copies of the documents. She drove to another section of town where she had a storage unit.
Cody pulled up beside her and got out. “You have one, too?”
“Just like they taught us.” Over the years, Alliance members taught them survival techniques. A storage unit with money, clothes, and another vehicle had been imperative. Lila also stored important documents related to The Order here. “With everyone coming I thought I’d bring the contents of the map box to the meeting. We’ve been over and over the information but maybe something will be useful.” A locked safe stood in the corner. She entered the code and pulled open the door. Inside, she had important insurance documents, a Sig Sauer handgun, and about $15,000 in cash. She never knew when she needed to flee and stopping at a bank or using her ATM card may not be smart. While Cody sauntered to the front of the unit, Lila shoved two copies of the Fox Church documents inside the safe, grabbed the papers from the map box, and locked the door.
Although she hadn’t had time to read through the entire file, what she read confirmed Lance’s involvement. Now that she had the information Jack had possessed, she could easily suffer the same fate he did.
Once they were back in their cars and headed back to Jeb’s, she stared through the windshield as swollen gray clouds opened up. The sunny day had disappeared, and the gloom matched her mood. She wanted more than anything to put Lance away. Images of her dead mother, shot in the head, raced through her memory. The callous way Lance had ended her life, without a second thought, exemplified his dangerous nature.
Relentless rain pounded her car, slowing what should have been light Saturday afternoon traffic. An accident on the highway had traffic ahead of her braking. Lila veered onto the off ramp to take the back roads around the lake to Jeb’s. She glanced behind her and sighed. A number of cars and trucks were between her and Cody. By the time she got closer to Lake Burgess the traffic had lessened.
Large oak trees bordered the road and were in full summer bloom. Today, the rain-soaked trees created a drippy green covering making extra-large dollops of rain dive-bomb her car as if they were missiles. The rain picked up just as she rounded a bend in the road. Lila applied the brakes, but her car didn’t react. “What the hell!” She pumped the brakes, and still nothing. Lila shifted into neutral and once again the move appeared futile. The car didn’t slow. Perspiration snaked down her face as she searched for options to control the vehicle. She cut a quick glance at the speedometer. Thirty-seven miles per hour. With her gaze back on the road, she searched for a place to maneuver the car. The thick tree line didn’t give her any space to negotiate an out-of-control vehicle.
She shot a glance into her rearview mirror. Instead of Cody behind her, she saw a large black truck.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as her car accelerated. How could that be? Her foot hadn’t touched the pedal. Another sharp curve loomed ahead as Lila struggled to get the car under control. As the curve got closer, her car showed no signs of slowing down. Another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction could result in a devastating accident for both her and the other driver. Lila punched the horn, emitting a long wail from her car. Taking her hand off the horn, she gripped the steering wheel as the car entered the curve. In a flash, she lost control. She tried to guide the car past the trees. Missing two and scraping along a third, Lila spotted a clearing. Seconds later, her car passed the trees, and then headed straight for the lake.
Crashing through a metal railing in an instant murky, cool water rushed into the car as Lila struggled to release her seatbelt. She tried to control her breathing and rising panic. Grasping on to the seatbelt, she fumbled to unhook the latch.
Water rose to her waist.
“Come on, damn it!” She pushed and pulled at the release button. Slamming on all the buttons on the door console, she lowered as many windows as she could. Her phone. With frantic urgency she patted her seat but couldn’t find the phone. She had only minutes before she would die. Jack’s dying words hit her. I was killed because of those documents.
Would she follow? She pressed the compass pendant dangling around her neck, then remembered Cody. Had he seen her go into the lake?
Water rose to her chest, and she tried again to release herself. The seatbelt latch didn’t budge. Her fate appeared settled. Don’t panic. Then she recalled her training. Wrenching open the center console, she rooted around inside. A piece of metal scraped by her hand. With a sliver of hope, she grasped onto the seatbelt cutter and window hammer her father insisted she put in her car. In seconds, she’d sawed through the seatbelt but not before the water had risen to her neck. As she scrambled out of the seatbelt shreds, she took one huge breath. Green water engulfed her as she wiggled out of the drivers’ side window. Her lungs screamed and her eyes stung. She kicked to propel herself up, trying not to think about what may be brushing up against her. Another kick and she felt the pull of something on her leg. Thick aquatic plants swayed below her trapping her legs in their vines. Lila jerked her leg, but her leafy captor didn’t budge. Lungs burning, she continued to pull at the vine. With diminishing strength, her tugs weakened. She couldn’t hold on. Water filled her lungs. Just as hope faded, the vine loosened, and an arm encircled her. Perhaps she was dreaming or maybe dying. Cody? She glimpsed a man, then her vision tunneled. Green water narrowed her vision, her chest burned as if lit on fire. Her body, suddenly heavy, relaxed. Just as her eyes closed, she caught a peek of a face bathed in a ray of sun.
Cody?
Chapter 15
For the thousandth time, Lance reread the letter.
My dearest Lance,
If you’re reading this, then I’ve departed this life. Please know that even though I was hand-chosen to marry your father, I had a happy life. Russell, your grandfather, trusted me to watch over Ivan and mold him into a man capable of leading The Order. When I determined he was unable to carry out the duties in a way to make Russell proud, I shifted my energies to you. My son, you have been the light of my life and more importantly, the man Russell would have swelled with pride to call, The Grand Commander, Ruler of The Order. You possess the sentiment, capability, and heart to elevate The Order to heights unforeseen.
&nbs
p; Your grandfather had the intelligence to prepare his descendants with not only the structure to build upon, but also the wealth to uphold and propel his vision. Before Ivan’s death and prior to his brief stint as Grand Commander, I received a document from The Order council. The document indicated Russell was in possession of land containing natural resources worth billions. I am confident Russell would have wanted you to control this land. Russell kept the location of this property secret to prevent it from falling into untested hands. Although I don’t know the location of this property, I’m convinced Ivan did. Please employ all measures necessary to find this land, your birthright. I’m sorry this is such a convoluted process, but your grandfather believed in signs and symbols. Ordo Ortus, my son.
With all my love,
Mother
With a finger, Lance traced over his mother’s writing. Pia’s loopy slanted penmanship brought back memories of her impeccable style. Although she’d bristle at the moniker, she’d be thrilled to be a grandmother. The moment she was shot remained imprinted in his memory, fueling his desire to strike back. He would seek revenge on those responsible for her death. They called themselves the Alliance. Picking them off one by one would be a just ending.
Lance hated over-emotional people, yet today he had a need to look back. Next to Pia’s letter sat one of the diary pages of his great-grandfather. He stared at the highlighted phrase. Only the weak apologize. Lance considered Russell’s motto, which was one of many wisdom-filled sentiments he’d found in the diary, like a special message only for him. How could this man father such a weakling like Ivan? When the time was right, he’d make his son read Russell’s words. Puffing his chest, Lance swelled with pride at the thought of passing on the Grand Commander title to his son.
Shaking away his musings, he lifted the phone and sent for Peter Shaw.
Seconds later, Shaw entered Lance’s private office and took the seat opposite him. He’d removed his suit jacket and held a glass of clear liquid. Peter didn’t drink and usually had seltzer water. Men who were too afraid of alcohol didn’t rate much in Lance’s opinion, but he overlooked this shortcoming.
“Have you reviewed the documents again?”
Shaw placed his glass on the marble table next to him and twisted his antique gold Yale University ring. “Yes, I personally reviewed all three thousand pages. Like you, I found nothing.”
Lance nodded and lifted the letter’s attached document. He read the one sentence centered in the middle of antique parchment: My writings hold the key.
Russell produced thousands of documents over the course of his life, each intended to educate his ancestors. Lance had been through every document found in his parents’ homes in Colorado and Switzerland. And now Shaw had confirmed his findings or lack of findings. “Anything from my Aunt Vivian’s papers?”
Vivian Sinclair, Russell’s only daughter and his father’s sister, had been dead a number of years. She had succeeded Russell as the Grand Commander but had been killed as she spiraled out of control in a mental breakdown.
“We’ve found nothing useful other than all of her assets went to her daughter April.” Peter crossed his legs and tapped his fingers together.
Lance scowled. “April was just as insane as her mother. I’m glad I killed her. She would have been a problem. Her daughter, Lila, foolishly refused possession of anything.” Lance folded the papers and placed both documents back in the file. “Lila had a map box with artifacts and writings from my grandfather. Up until now I believed I had all the duplicate documents but now I have reason to believe that the box may hold an important clue to the whereabouts of an important property. As I’ve already instructed, Lila is the target.”
Peter acknowledged Lance’s comments with a brief nod. “On another front, we have every reason to believe Lila had time to speak with Jack Struthers before he died. I’ve explained my concern that he told her where the evidence of your misdeeds was located. Seems this young lady holds the key to your future.”
Heat shot up Lance’s neck. “I will not allow that little bitch to derail my destiny. Once I have what I need, I will see that she suffers before I kill her.” He loosened his silk tie and poured a glass of brandy from the crystal decanter and settled on the pale green sofa.
Upstairs the newborn slept in his crib while his mother slumbered next door in her quarters. For her convenience, Lance had moved Delphine into the room adjoining the nursery. Regular nursing sessions occurred throughout the day and night and Lance didn’t want his sleep interrupted every time she woke to feed the baby. Besides, her body still carried pregnancy flab, which was a definite turn-off.
“When I was in the nursery checking over the security measures, I peeked at the baby. Handsome boy you’ve got.” Shaw said.
“He’s definitely a Sinclair.” Lance sipped his drink, the ice clinking against the expensive crystal glass. “Are you certain the nursey is secured? I’m a man of immense power, and I won’t take any chances with the safety of my son. Also, put two more detail agents on Delphine any time she leaves the property.”
Shaw nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve already handpicked two new guards for your wife’s security team.”
“Good. Now, I have a more sensitive issue to discuss.” Lance channeled his Grandfather Russell. The old man had been right about his own wife and Lance would follow suit. “Delphine has safely delivered my son. She performed well during the pregnancy by maintaining her health and following both the doctors’ and my orders. Soon, her use will expire.”
“You mentioned other children once,” Shaw said.
Lance flicked a piece of lint from his razor-sharp pants crease. “I have a son, and he will be my sole focus. Ivan fathered two children. As you know Sloane, Carson Maxwell as she calls herself, has taken a wayward path and chose to align herself with the enemy. She could have had the world at her feet, yet she insisted on running off. Now, she’s set to marry your previous underling, that FBI agent Adam Forrester.”
“I had heard they were engaged. Ashamed she didn’t value her birthright.”
“I don’t want to risk having to deal with a child like my sister. By directing all my attention to my son, I will ensure he carries on my vision and the principles of The Order. They will not die with me. I will make sure Lance Junior has the best education and experiences all guided by me and me alone.” Lance recalled happy times at his European boarding school. He had important friends and contacts all over the world, which served him well in business and personal matters. His child would have the same.
“Makes sense.” Shaw rose and poured himself a glass of water.
“The baby needs his mother at the moment, but when the time is right, I will take the baby back to Switzerland. Delphine will not be accompanying us. I expect you to see that she will never pose a problem.”
“Understood.” Shaw drained his glass. “I’ll be in touch with new updates.” He exited the room.
Lance picked up a silver rattle. Soon, my son, I will give you the world.
Chapter 16
“Stay with me, Lila. You aren’t leaving me.” Cody held her close as he rushed through cattails bordering the lake. He reached an open area and placed her on the ground.
“Come on, Lila!” He listened for breath sounds. Unsure if he heard anything, he grimaced as he pumped her chest. “Come back to me, honey. We’re not done.”
Seconds later water erupted from her mouth, and she sputtered a cough.
Cody blew out the breath he’d been holding and cheered at the beautiful sound. He moved around to hold her head sideways to aid the expulsion of lake water pouring out her mouth.
Sirens screamed in the background.
Her eyes fluttered open “Cody?” she said in a weak voice.
“Yes, it’s me. I’m here, baby. Hold on. Help is on the way.”
She nodded then struggled to sit up. “I’m okay,” she said in a raspy voice.
“I know.” He wrapped his arms around her as her body shook. “You�
��re okay.”
She clung to him and nodded.
Relief poured through him as he spotted help on the way. An ambulance, a fire truck, and two police cruisers rushed toward them.
Within seconds, EMT’s and firefighters were out of their vehicles.
The first firefighter to reach him, a tall man with a blue T-shirt with the name of the fire department on his left pectoral, bent next to Cody and Lila. “Is anyone else in the car?”
“No,” Cody said. “She coughed out a lot of water.” He relinquished her to the professionals.
“No hospital.” Lila shook her head at a ginger-haired male EMT.
The EMT checked her vitals and pronounced them within normal limits. He turned to her, “Ma’am, you should go to the hospital to be safe.”
Cody understood Lila’s concern. She didn’t trust easily, and he knew she’d probably recalled Carson being attacked in the hospital. “Lila, go. I’ll be with you.”
“Sir, are you all right?” the other EMT asked. “Looks like you got a nasty gash on your arm.”
Cody glanced at his arm. He hadn’t noticed the cut, which continued to bleed. A reddish tinge colored his shirt. “I’m fine.”
“You probably need stitches, so you can hop a ride in the ambulance or follow us.” The EMT moved closer, examined the cut, then placed gauze around his arm.
An officer rushed toward him. “Can you tell us what happened?”
Cody nodded. He leaned over the gurney Lila had been placed on. “I’ll be right behind you.” He squeezed her hand then turned back to the officer.
Just as the EMT’s slammed the ambulance door closed, media trucks descended upon the scene. Cody turned his back, avoiding the cameras.
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