A Dubious Race: The Phoenician Stones (A Colton Banyon Mystery Book 14)

by Gerald J Kubicki

  “We’ve done all we can do and besides the Army Rangers are here now. My people want to go home,” he replied. He was still dressed in his brown suit and Stetson hat and looked like he was headed to a court room.

  “Tell each of your people we are very grateful for their help and they all will be receiving a bonus from me this week in their paychecks,” Banyon offered. “You too Chase,” he added.

  “Shucks, we were just doing what we were trained to do,” he replied. “But thank you. I appreciate it.” Banyon motioned for him to move away from the other people so they could talk. Then Banyon dropped a bombshell on him.

  “Chase, I need you back here by seven in the morning,” Banyon said.

  “What?” Chase replied with amazement.

  “And I want you to bring our best real estate lawyer with you. I’ll need documents for Joey to sign which authorizes us to represent him in selling this land. Can you do that?”

  “I don’t see why not,” he replied gamely. “I’ll see you then.”

  “I also will need ten thousand dollars in cash,” Banyon added.

  “You’re planning something aren’t you,” Chase replied knowingly.

  “Just bring the money,” Banyon responded and told Chase what other documents to bring in the morning and why he needed them.

  “I know the drill. Small dominations and non-sequential bills,” Chase said as he shook his head. “I understand what you are doing. We’ll be prepared.

  They shook hands and Chase got into the SUV and rode off into the darkness. He was immediately on his phone rousting sleeping people from the office.

  “What’re you up to, Colt?” Loni questioned.

  “This is the first step in setting things right. Don’t tell Joey yet.”

  ***

  The remaining defenders returned to the house and began to straighten up the mess. There was only one chair left to sit on, all the rest of the chair legs had been used as clubs during the attack. Metal objects were in a pile in a corner of the room where they had collected from the pull of the grounder and the windows still had wood crisscrossing the openings, but no glass. Banyon ordered Mandy and Loni to sit and rest on the couches while everybody else went to work with the cleanup.

  Banyon’s phone rang five minutes into the task. He saw that it was from Marlene Moore and quickly answered it. “Yes, Marlene,” he spoke into the cell phone.

  “Has everything calmed down there now?” she asked carefully.

  “We’re no longer under attack if that’s what you mean and everyone’s safe,” he replied knowing what she was asking.

  “Good, you won’t mind if I commandeer the Rangers then, would you?” she asked cautiously.

  “What do you need them for?” Banyon asked as he scratched his head.

  “We need to round up these Goblin creeps and I’ve run out of assets to use in Las Vegas. We can’t trust the police until they are vetted as some may be part of the conspiracy,” Marlene explained.

  “In that case, I have no objections,” Banyon remarked. “We can protect ourselves and I’d rather get those assholes off the street.”

  “Thanks, Colt,” Marlene replied sweetly. “I’ve got to run.” She hung up.

  About a minute later Colonel Bragg stood imposingly in the doorway. “Mr. Banyon. I need to talk to you,” he said in a deep base voice.

  “I know. You need to leave. It’s okay,” Banyon cheerfully replied as he walked over to the doorway.

  “We have cleaned up all the debris from the attack, collected the weapons and have secured the prisoners,” the big man recapped.

  “You are free to go,” Banyon said.

  “We’ll be off then,” the colonel responded and saluted. He stuck out his hand and shook Banyon’s hand so hard that Banyon winced.

  “Thanks for your help,” Banyon said in pain.

  “Just doing our job, sir,” he replied.

  “You did it well, Colonel,” Banyon said with admiration.

  “Mount up,” the colonel screamed as he pivoted on his right foot. Five minutes later their taillights disappeared around the mountain.

  Chapter Eighty-Three

  About twenty minutes later Joey suddenly bolted to a window. He had blinked and when he opened his eyes he saw the four sentinels standing stoically inside the room. He knew that this meant that someone was coming.

  “There are headlights heading our way,” he yelled to the others. The room filled with the noise of guns cocking and people rushing to the windows.

  “I think that will be Previne and the rest of the team,” Banyon quickly said. “Don’t shoot them.”

  The rental car stopped near the porch and the Patel clan piled out. They stretched and looked around. Then two of the women went back into the car and brought out two glass jars. One had an eerie-green glow. It lit up the night.

  Banyon was already standing on the porch while the rest of the group poured through the doorway as the Patel clan stepped up onto the wooden structure.

  “Special delivery,” Previne announced cheerfully. “We have two packages for Colton Banyon.”

  “Good to see you guys,” Banyon said sincerely and opened his arms for Previne. She rushed into his arms. He then hugged the rest of the clan as well. Soon everybody was hugging and greeting each other. Loni was the last person to make it onto the porch. When Previne saw her, she critically scanned Loni’s Indian outfit before she went to hug her.

  “Great outfit, Loni,” she gushed approvingly. “I wish I was wearing it, but you’ve the wrong color head band, it should be brown and you need a feather,” she laughed at Loni’s fashion faux pas.

  “The headband is a bandage, Previne,” Loni replied dryly to her rival. “I got hit in the head by a ricochet during an attack. And the reason I’m wearing the Indian dress is because my other clothes were ripped in an earlier attack.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry for joking about it,” Previne spoke as she covered her mouth with her hand in horror for making fun of Loni’s injury. “Are you going to be alright?”

  “I’m already better,” Loni replied and left it at that.

  “Everybody, this is Joey Brownwater, he is the one we have been protecting,” Banyon said as an introduction. “Kayah Lightfoot is next to him. The clan moved in to shake hands. The two young people felt like they were on a reception line at a wedding.

  “Close your mouth,” Kayah whispered into Joey’s ear. He was stunned by the beauty and the likeness of the three smiling Patel women.

  “Don’t be jealous, Kayah,” Joey shot back. “I’m just in awe of how much they look alike.”

  “I’m sure your awe has nothing to do with their long legs, long hair, runway model builds and sexy clothes,” Kayah said sarcastically.

  “Of course not,” he responded sincerely.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Banyon noticed that Lisa Lange was attempting to wrestle the jar of Vril from Maya’s hands. “I must have a better look at the Vril,” she pleaded. “Give it to me.”

  “Let’s go inside,” Banyon suggested as he clapped his hands. “I want to see what you have brought us in a better light.” He didn’t bother to introduce Lisa Lange. The Patel clan already knew who she was from the Lake Mead adventure. Lisa also remembered them from the same event.

  ***

  The two ancient jars sat regally in the center of the dining room table as Pramilla recounted their adventure and almost capture by the NSA gift squad. Everyone had gathered around the big table to hear about it. Lisa Lange wasn’t really listening. She leaned over with her elbows on the table and studied the jar containing the glowing Vril. She was mesmerized by the ancient energy source.

  “So what do you think is in the second jar?” Heather asked.

  “Well, actually, we have already opened it,” Maya admitted sheepishly. “We found a map inside.”

  “What kind of map?” Banyon asked curiously.

  Maya grabbed the jar and peeled off the copper strip holding the top on it. S
he opened the jar and spilled the papyrus scroll onto the table. She then unrolled it and used the two jars to prevent it from rolling back up—just like she had done on the plane.

  “It looks like an ancient sea map that was used to navigate. It has an X marked on it,” Maya, the archeologist, explained. “We’ll have to test it, of course, but I’d say it is at least three thousand years old.”

  Professor Lisa Lange’s head popped up. She tore her eyes from the Vril and quickly scanned the map. A look of total astonishment crossed her face. “My God!” she uttered. “This may solve one of the greatest mysteries in all of recorded history,” she exclaimed. There was true excitement in her voice.

  “What do you think it is?” Heather urged her. She could feel the level of electricity in the room jump higher.

  “The writing on the Cherokee stones said the captain of the Phoenician ship who collected the Vril could not write — but he sure as hell could navigate,” Lisa proclaimed. “I’m sure that he could read a map. These markings look like navigation numbers to me,” she gushed with growing excitement.

  “So you think this X is where he got the jar of Vril,” Maya said what she already suspected.

  “Yes, it would be too much of a coincidence otherwise,” Lisa replied. “I’m sure of it. He probably buried the map so he would be able to find the place to trade with the inhabitants. My guess is he didn’t want anyone else to know the location of the Vril supplier.” Maya nodded her head. She understood the logic.

  “Then I think this was the actual location of the lost city of Atlantis,” Maya announced with drama.

  “I believe you are correct,” Lisa agreed and nodded her head enthusiastically. “This archeological find might be even greater than finding the container of Vril,” Lisa gasped. “Could you imagine being the first person to actually find Atlantis? It would clear up a hundred myths and stop naysayers in their tracks. There might be untold treasures there.”

  The announcement gave Banyon an idea. It fit in nicely with his plans. He made eye contact with Previne and motioned for her to leave the room and go outside with him.

  Once outside Banyon spoke. “Previne, I’ve got a lot of loose ends to clean up on this case, but I think you can help me with some of them,” Banyon stated.

  “Of course, Colt, I’d do anything for you. You know that,” she said seriously.

  “Good,” he said. “Also, you and the rest of the clan will be gone for at least three months and we might still need some of your expertise.”

  “Other than my ability to flirt with you, what expertise are you referring to?” Previne said lightly.

  “I want you to teach Heather how to Freud-a-size people,” he announced and looked straight into her eyes for any sign of disagreement.

  “Do you think she could handle it?”

  “I’m sure, and we need her to learn how to do it tonight, before you guys leave,” Banyon added.

  “In a way I’m sad, but in a way I’m relieved,” she quickly commented. “She’s a smart girl. She’ll pick it up fast.”

  “Then you’ll do it?”

  “I’ll do it right now, as soon as we get inside,” Previne promised.

  “Thanks Previne,” he said and hugged her.

  “Have you decided what to do about Lisa?” Previne now asked. She figured the request had something to do with her.

  “Wolf told me something earlier about Sigmund Freud,” he said. “I’m hoping that what he told me will work.”

  “What did he tell you?” Previne pleaded. “Tell me.”

  So he did.

  Chapter Eighty-Four

  When Previne and Banyon returned to the dining table, Lisa was lecturing about how she believed the Phoenicians were the first people to discover America. She had already explained how they had set up a distribution system to ship copper back to the Mid-East and other markets. Lisa was in her element and enjoyed having an interested audience for her lectures. Previne caught Heather’s attention and motioned for her to follow her into one of the back bedrooms. Heather looked at Banyon who nodded and then followed Previne through the opening.

  About thirty minutes later, Heather appeared in the doorway and summoned Steve to come into the bedroom. Steve shrugged his shoulders and left immediately to join her. Lisa had now reached the part where the Phoenicians found a new home and had transformed into the Cherokee Indians.

  “Fascinating theory,” Maya blurted out. “But all of the evidence has been discredited by prominent archeologists. I know some of them. Many are from the Smithsonian Institute, you know.”

  “Some of them may change their minds in the near future,” Banyon said knowingly.

  “What do you mean, Colt?” Maya asked.

  “Some of the archeologists may have been under duress or even bribed by the very people we took down tonight. We have also uncovered a long standing conspiracy against minorities” Everybody mulled that over in their minds.

  “Wow!” Maya uttered.

  Steve soon strolled out of the bedroom and wore a smile on his face. Heather and Previne were right behind him. When Previne spotted Banyon staring at her, she gave him a sign. She held both thumbs up.

  Previne slid over to Banyon and whispered into his ear. “Heather is a natural. She picked up on the technique immediately. We used Steve as a guinea pig to see if the hypnosis took hold.” Banyon knew that Steve had been Freud-a-sized by Previne at the end of the Lake Mead caper. That meant he could not be Freud-a-sized again by Previne. But Wolf had gone back in history and studied Sigmund Freud. In his studies, Freud noted that he thought if a different person was to perform the technique it would be successful as the brain would not recognize a new voice. He had not tested his theory because he was afraid to give anyone the power — especially since a war was brewing.

  “What are you two whispering about?” Loni suddenly chimed in. She was always suspicious that Previne was trying to steal her man.

  “Previne has taught Heather how to Freud-a-size. They used Steve as a test to see if it worked,” Banyon explained.

  “Oh!” she quickly understood. “What did you make him forget?” Loni requested curiously.

  “Heather made him forget that he has a crush on you, Loni,” Previne replied with a smirk.

  “What?” Loni stammered. “But…I…,” she was at a loss for words. She knew Steve had a thing for her. She also had a crush on him, but thought she had hid it well.

  “Why don’t you go and see if the Freud-a-size is working,” Previne urged her.

  “We need to know that Heather can do it properly, Loni,” Banyon explained as he further encouraged her.

  “But, Colt how could you do this to me?” she cried out in frustration.

  “I didn’t do it. I think Heather did it for her own reasons,” Banyon replied. “I don’t think she likes that Steve pays attention to you.”

  “Oh my God!” Loni uttered softly in horror. “Are you saying Heather is jealous of me?” She pointed to herself in disbelief.

  “Does she have reason to be jealous?” Previne asked in a flat tone.

  Secretly, Banyon hoped Heather had been successful. He had admitted to himself that he was a little jealous of their relationship.

  “Alright I’ll do it,” Loni agreed reluctantly, but she said the words hotly. She was angry that someone was manipulating her life. She left Banyon and Previne and made her way over to where Steve stood listening to Lisa’s lecture. She tapped him on the shoulder. Previne, Banyon, and Heather watched with interest.

  “Hey Loni, what’s up?” Steve said in a congenial voice as he turned around.

  Loni batted her eyes at him before she spoke. “Steve, how about you and I do a little wrestling when this is over? I need to sharpen my techniques.”

  Steve looked at her for a second. “Sorry, Loni, but I’m afraid I might hurt you,” he replied.

  “But, we have wrestled before,” Loni said in a plea.

  “I don’t think so. I would have remembered
wrestling with you,” he said with a slight leer in his voice.

  Loni was shocked by his response. She had heard the sexual tone in his reply many times before — from other men. He was now just another lust-filled man. “I must be mistaken,” she croaked and left immediately on the verge of tears.

  Banyon smiled as another piece of his plan dropped into place.

  Loni made her way back over to Banyon. He could see that she was clearly disturbed and sulking. “Did it work?” Banyon asked.

  “I wish I could Freud-a-size someone right now,” she lamented as she looked straight at Previne with daggers shooting from her eyes.

  ***

  An argument now ensued around the table. Lisa argued that the Cherokee stones and the Atlantis map should be made public. She announced she would take charge of the Vril. Joey and Kayah argued that the stones belonged to the Cherokee tribe and they wanted them kept a secret. They didn’t care about the two containers from Wisconsin. Mandy, Steve, and Heather said that the map should be available for scientific purposes. Pramilla and Eric thought all the artifacts should be hidden.

  “You know we will have to leave for India shortly,” Previne said sadly to Banyon as they listened to the arguments. “We need to decide what to do with all these artifacts.”

  “I know,” he replied.

  “I could take them to India and put them in our vault, if you want?”

  Banyon nodded his head in understanding and clapped his hands. “Until this caper is over, we are not going to do anything with the artifacts. Depending on how things transpire, I have a plan to handle everything. Once I layout my plan to you, the team will vote on what to do with the articles. Lisa, you, Joey and Kayah do not have a vote. In fact, I don’t want you in the room to hear it.”

  “Where do you suggest we go? Should we go for a walk in the desert?” Lisa asked sarcastically.

  “Steve, lock them in the bedroom,” Banyon pointed to the back of the house.

  “Why lock us up?” Joey now asked.

  “So you don’t attempt to get away,” Banyon replied.