Order of Truth

by Lisa Caviness

  “Who is this young man?”

  “Cody Green, a friend.” He hadn’t been introduced as Lila’s friend since they were kids, and he didn’t like the title.

  “Nice to meet you, Cody.” Mr. Jennings extended his hand.

  “How do you know me, Mr. Jennings?” Lila stopped in the middle of the living room despite the man waving them to the sofa.

  A woman appeared from around the corner.

  “We have guests, honey. Sheila, this is Lila and Cody,” Garvin said.

  Sheila shook their hands but turned her attention back to Lila, where her gaze stalled. Cody didn’t understand their fascination with Lila and his guard remained on alert.

  “Hello.” Sheila stepped aside and shot a knowing glance at Garvin.

  “Please sit,” Garvin said. “I’m very sorry about Jack. Good man.” He cleared his throat. “I know you’re here for answers. I’m an old man. I know I don’t have long on this earth, and I want to go out with no regrets.”

  Sheila expelled a loud sigh. She ambled to the large window facing the street and adjusted a clay pot filled with green leafy plants. While in front of the window, she shifted the blinds and shot a quick peek out. She guided the blind back in place then sat in the chair next to her husband.

  Garvin smirked. “She doesn’t like when I talk about my mortality. But death happens to us all.” He shot a gaze toward the patio door, partially shielded by vertical blinds.

  “How did you know Jack Struthers?” Lila sat, stiff as a board, on the blue plaid sofa.

  The well-coordinated room contained matching blue chairs, and a blue-and-white area rug. Even the bookshelf in the corner held knickknacks in the color scheme. A vase with fresh cut flowers sat in the center of the glass coffee table surrounded by a splay of home decorating magazines.

  “I’m a retired attorney. I was a partner at HTP. During my time there, the firm’s name was Hirst, Comer, and Locklin. The last two guys are now dead and have obviously been replaced. So goes the circle of life. I knew Jack as a young, fresh-faced attorney. Bright and sharp, Jack displayed a knowledge of law that I’ve rarely seen.”

  “He had a brilliant legal mind.” Lila folded both hands in her lap. “I’ve never seen your name associated with the firm.”

  “And you won’t. I’ve been wiped clean as if I’d never existed.” He turned to Sheila, who sat stone-faced, then his gaze went to the window.

  “Mr. Jennings, you obviously know who Lila is and perhaps why we’re here. Why don’t you tell us what you know?” The constant glances toward the window and doors had Cody on edge. Why were the Jennings’ so nervous? Rising, Cody peered through the window. Aside from the Speedstar Cable truck and Reid and Adam, the street was clear. “Are you expecting someone?” Cody said turning from the window.

  Garvin displayed a strained smile. “No.”

  Cody sauntered across the living room to the rear sliding porch door and pushed aside the blinds a few inches. A wood fence with a rear gate surrounded the square yard. Lush green grass, a covered patio with an umbrella-topped table and a grill made up the typical back yard. He returned to the couch and took his place next to Lila. “Doesn’t seem to be anyone lurking. I know the glances. You’re worried someone is out to get you.”

  “You’re a perceptive fellow. We’ve learned to live with a healthy sense of alarm.”

  Cody didn’t believe him. Their behavior didn’t resemble anything close to healthy. The Jennings’ appeared to expect danger at any moment. As an Alliance member, he understood fear.

  “My previous line of work created a less than ideal atmosphere when it comes to safety. I’ve been retired for several years.” He grew quiet, and Sheila tiptoed out of the room.

  “Have you been threatened?” Lila asked.

  “No, not outright. But I can’t be sure a threat doesn’t exist.”

  Sheila returned with iced tea and cookies. “Please help yourselves. Those cookies were made from my grandmother’s recipe.”

  Garvin patted his stomach. “She’s a good cook. My only specialty is apple pie.” After an awkward pause, Garvin knit his eyebrows and said, “I knew your Great Uncle Ivan. I worked as one of his attorneys. I know all about The Order, but I was an outside council, doing his dirty bidding under the employment of Hirst, Comer, and Locklin. I knew I was dirty, but the money was good, and I loved the perks. Use of the Sinclair planes, all-expenses-paid vacations, and more. I was a great attorney, and Ivan came to count on me.” Garvin stood and picked up a photo from the bookshelf of he and Sheila on their wedding day. The bronze plate on the bottom read June 15, 1968. In the photo, Garvin dressed in a gray suit had his arm around Sheila who was in a knee-length, white wedding dress with a short veil across her face. Garvin pinched the bridge of this nose then replaced the photo on the shelf. “Ivan eventually took me into his confidence. He was worried about Lance, who was dangerous and impulsive.” Garvin chuckled. “Funny how Ivan seem to know Lance would one day put himself in such a position where we’d have to use creative lawyering to save him.”

  Cody picked up a cookie, his mouth watering at the sight of the buttery wafer. He longed to take a bite, but he didn’t trust them.

  “Ivan didn’t take well to any of the younger attorneys. He insisted on me taking care of his needs. Everything I did at the firm on behalf of Ivan or The Order was covered up. Only need-to-know personnel were let in on what we were doing. I created phony documents, suppressed evidence, you name it. Anything to grease the wheels for Ivan.”

  “I’m assuming your association with Ivan is how you came to know who I was?” Lila picked up a glass of tea from the tray but refrained from drinking.

  “You’re right. Ivan briefed me about you. He said you were bright and beautiful. He was right.” Garvin returned to his seat across from the couch.

  “Thank you. I had no idea Ivan could think such nice thoughts, especially since he locked me up in one of the rooms of his Colorado estate.” Lila voice remained calm, even though Cody could tell impatience and anger lurked at the periphery.

  Garvin nodded. “I understand. You have every right to be upset. I’m sure you’ve felt like a pawn your entire life. In many ways you were.” Garvin rose and eyed his wife. “She deserves to know, Sheila.”

  The woman nodded, and her hand fluttered around her neck.

  “First, I know about the files,” Garvin said. “Jack must have instructed you to find them.”

  Lila remained quiet.

  Garvin continued. “Jack found a portal we’d hidden within the company’s computer system. He ended up discovering all the documentation, which would have put Lance away for life. There are certain people, including myself at the firm who ensured Lance would never serve a day behind bars. They made it all go away as if nothing happened. All the crimes, the lab explosion, kidnappings, murders. But HTP is only one player. We squelched the evidence, but others also had to do their part, and by that, I mean the FBI, the crime lab, prosecutors, the Justice Department, and police. It was a well-coordinated coverup. Jack found everything, including who the players are, and he could have gone to the police, but in doing so, he would’ve placed a target on his back. Turns out someone found out what Jack knew, and well…you know how it ended.”

  Cody sat back on the sofa, trying to absorb all this information. “You were a key player. How do you fit into this scenario now?”

  “When Jack discovered the information, he came to me upset and concerned. By this time, I was tired of the secrets, lies, and lawlessness all for one family to gain power. Ivan was dead and working for Lance was no picnic. I had already walked away and given Lance my word that as an Order member I would remain quiet about what I knew. But I vowed to start the last sector of my life doing what’s right. Sheila and I never had children, but I started mentoring kids in the area. It feels good to finally be doing something positive.”

  Did he think teaching a few kids how to shoot free throws would excuse his role in covering for The Order
?

  Lila set the tea on the table. “Mrs. Jennings, I’m sure none of this has been easy on you either.”

  “No.” Sheila trembled, her white hair shaking. She folded her hands in her lap and rocked.

  “Why should we believe you? Why did Jack direct me to you?” Lila asked.

  Garvin clasped his hands together in his lap. “When Jack discovered I was involved he was angry.” Garvin sighed. “I told him not to go to the FBI, but he didn’t listen.”

  “Who did Jack talk to at the FBI?” Lila asked, shooting a glance at Cody.

  “I don’t know but less than a week later he was dead.” Garvin shook his head. “I told Jack that you’d be in danger if those files got out. He directed you to me because I have information that could save your life. I told Jack what I’m about to tell you.” He rose, left the room, and returned with a small, black box.

  Cody scooted closer to Lila as he braced for whatever would come next.

  Garvin rubbed his thumb across the square box and then said, “Many years ago, Ivan told me about a secret island and emerald mine his father possessed. As far as I know no one but Ivan and maybe his top financial advisor, Morris Beak, knew the location. I’m sure you’re aware that your great-grandfather, Russell enjoyed creating symbols and puzzles for everything. In that vein, the location of this billion-dollar mine is shrouded in secrecy. Before Ivan died, weeks actually, he called me to Switzerland.” Garvin swiveled toward the window for a second before pivoting back to Lila. “You were once the key to what, in comparison, was a small treasure. You are now the key to this much larger one. The tattoo imprinted upon you as a child is once again critical. I don’t know how, but I know it’s important.”

  Cody leaned forward remembering how Lila’s tattooed arm was used to open the door to a vault inside an abandoned mine in Colorado. The code imprinted upon her arm unlocked the vault door. Why was Lila again the focus of the Sinclair’s family psychotic games?

  “As you can guess Ivan wouldn’t give me the details, but I know Lance is very dangerous, and Ivan recognized that his son was on a perilous path. He wouldn’t have wanted Lance to have access to this unlimited wealth.” Garvin angled his head upward. “In some respects, I think he knew his own life was in danger. I can’t imagine what Ivan must have thought as his own son and wife pushed him to his death from that airplane.” Garvin shook his head then handed Lila the box.

  She stared at the black velvet box before accepting it. “What is this?”

  “About a month ago, I received a package and letter. I believe it’s from The Order council instructing me to give you that box.”

  She opened the lid and gasped as she drew out an emerald plate, about the size of a square coaster. The sun streaming in through the window sparkled off the rock.

  “I don’t know if Lance knows about the island and mine, but I believe Ivan wanted you to find it. I assume this emerald plate is a clue.”

  Cody swiped a hand across his facial stubble. “The council wanted you to give Lila this emerald, but you did not seek us out. We found you.”

  “If you hadn’t shown up here, I would have found you.” He stood again. “As you know no one leaves The Order, but because of the work I did for Lance he allowed me to retire. Even so, Sheila and I live with the possibility that our lives are in jeopardy. I can’t impress upon you enough—you are in extreme danger.”

  Cody’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the device. Reid’s text read: “Take cover!”

  At that moment a fluttering sound erupted from the backyard.

  Then bullets riddled the room.

  Cody’s gut seized then he dove to cover Lila as dry wall, glass, and couch stuffing exploded around them. He pulled his weapon as he shielded Lila with his body. Pulse pounding, he fired at an unknown assailant. Once the bullets stopped, he stared through what was left of the patio door. A weaponized drone, hovered. Just before the object lifted out of the sight, Cody recognized the green Veridian logo.

  Chapter 24

  Five shots rang out from just above her. At first Lila thought the bullets were from the six- propeller drone, but they were coming from Cody. He fired out of the shattered patio door at the drone hovering outside. The silver flying object looked like an evil robot tasked with their destruction.

  Lila squirmed out from under Cody. “Garvin! Sheila!”

  She belly-crawled toward them across the floor. Sheila had collapsed on her side, her back to Lila. Scooting up to her, she turned the woman over. Blood oozed from two bullet wounds, one in her chest and one in her stomach. Leaning close, Lila pressed her ear to the woman chest. All she heard was the rapid thumping of her own heart.

  Cody jumped up. “Lila, stay down. The drone is gone but there could be more.” He raced to the door, peered up, and raised his weapon. Sprinting outside, he disappeared from view for a few seconds before he returned. “We’re clear. Reid and Adam are covering the house. They saw the drone seconds before it started firing.”

  “Sheila is dead.” Lila stepped over her to get to Garvin. He lay face up, blood seeping from several holes in his body, staining his pale skin a rusty red. Lila had counted multiple gunshots. One wound, above his right eye, and the other centered in his chest appeared to be the kill shots. Kneeling beside Garvin, Lila listened for a heartbeat but only silence returned. His eyes were open, and his left hand reached toward Sheila as if he were lurching for her when the attack occurred. “Garvin is dead, too. We need to call the police.”

  Reid stepped through the back door. “Are you guys okay?” With his weapon drawn, he surveyed the room.

  “We’re fine but Jennings and his wife are dead. I believe they both were targets.” Cody took Lila’s hand.

  “You’re bleeding.” Lila stared at the trail of blood snaking down the side of Cody’s face.

  “It’s nothing. I think I got hit by some flying glass. Are you hurt anywhere?” He cast a glance at her.

  “No, I’m fine.” She rubbed her eyes. Lila scrambled to the spot where she and Cody took a dive when the shooting started and found the box underneath a sofa cushion, now covered with white stuffing. With a shaky hand, she tucked the box into her purse “I can’t believe Garvin and Sheila are dead.”

  Adam stood at the door. “The police are on their way.”

  “We’re armed, Cody. The police are going to think we’re responsible.” Lila’s heart hadn’t stopped its staccato rhythm since the shooting started.

  “We have the drone on video with shots fired. We’re clear,” Reid said.

  “Don’t mention the emerald.” Cody continued to grip his weapon.

  Reid wrinkled his forehead. “Emerald?”

  Cody gave them a brief update. “No need to disclose the information to the police with the possibility Lance has people inside the department.”

  They crept out the back door and raced around the side of the house just as the first police car arrived.

  Two officers approached, guns drawn.

  The police separated all of them for questioning. After a trip to the police station to make a formal statement and undergo a check for gun residue, they were released. Lila shuddered at the memory of the detective staring at her. She couldn’t decide if he believed her, but Reid and Adam with their FBI credentials helped bolster their claims of innocence.

  Thirty minutes later, Cody pulled into a parking lot of a fast food restaurant, busy with the lunch time crowd.

  Reid and Adam were still wrapping up at the police station.

  Cody cut the engine and turned to her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  She nodded as her body shivered. “If Reid and Adam hadn’t been there, I don’t think the police would have believed we had nothing to do with Garvin and Sheila’s deaths. We showed up and minutes later they’re dead.” Her voice broke.

  He scooted closer and enveloped her in his arms. “When those bullets started flying, all I could think of was getting you out of there. First you nearly miss the murder of your boss,
then you find yourself at the bottom of a lake, and now this…”

  Lila settled into his arms, her head resting on his carved pectorals. She couldn’t help the tremor that ran through her body. “I want this all to be over, but Garvin made it clear this is only the beginning.” She shifted out of his embrace and took the box from her purse. She slid the top off the black velvet box and lifted the plate out then stopped. “I see some type of code.” She pointed to the letters msvvy engraved in tiny letters on the plate’s surface.

  Leaning toward the emerald, Cody inspected the plate. “What the hell does this mean?”

  Lila turned the plate over in her hand, running her finger over the sides of the smooth emerald. “I don’t know but a guess would say it is a clue to the mine’s location.” She set the emerald back inside the box.

  “I’m sure this emerald is worth thousands, probably more.” Cody took Lila’s hand. “We’ll talk to Reid and the others. I’m betting there are more clues in store.”

  “Something Garvin said has bothered me.” Lila shut her eyes for a second, remembering Garvin’s words. “Why am I involved? Why didn’t Ivan have his associates contact Carson? She is his daughter.”

  “I don’t know but you’re the one with the invisible tattoo.” Cody ran his finger across her arm.

  “Garvin said my great-grandfather founded the mine. He couldn’t know I would be born and then imprinted with this tattoo so maybe Vivian knew about the mine. That’s the only explanation.” Lila stared at a young couple exiting the restaurant and loading two kids into a minivan. Would she ever have that kind of existence?

  “Make sense, but we’re going to find out for sure.”

  “We owe it to Jack, and maybe even Garvin and Sheila to see this through.” Lila stared at her arm. “I thought about removing this damn tattoo, but something stopped me.” She turned her arm, palm side up and rubbed the roughened area. The Order, led by Vivian Sinclair, had imprinted her with an invisible ink tattoo, only visible under UV lighting.