by Lisa Grace
“How come I’m the one who had to release you from your rat trap then?”
“I wanted you to feel useful. Give you something to do. I was using my time exactly the way I wanted to.”
“I could see.”
Keiko counted off the thirteen blocks and two up from the bottom. She started digging at the mortar ignoring the guys’ one-upmanship of who was tougher. She just kept hammering at the mortar turning it into smeddum.
“Here give me that,” Julian said to her.
Keiko didn’t look at him and kept digging.
“Come on don’t make this our first fight. You know I‘m stronger. I can get it done faster.”
Keiko stopped and looked at Julian. She knew he was right.
She handed him the pick. He grabbed it and pulled her close. Risking your life just isn’t worth it to me. If they show up, we leave,” he whispered, “Okay?”
She looked into his eyes, “I’m sorry. It’s not just the star to me. It’s what Grace suffered. I want the world to know. It’s important we don’t forget all the pain. So many suffered.”
Julian looked down at her and smiled sadly, “I know.”
Keiko smiled back. She forgot she was talking to someone whose ancestors had suffered so much.
She said, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. Now let me get to work.”
Ray laid down his jacket in front of the wall to catch the powdery mortar as Julian started digging it out.
Ray said to Keiko, “If we have to make a quick get away, we can scatter the mortar and they might not notice a loose brick or two. After all, they think it’s buried under the floor. I brought a smoke bomb to help confuse them on our way out.”
Keiko kept looking nervously up the stairs and then paced to the hall they had originally entered from. Now that she wasn’t actively working, digging the star out, or being held by Julian, fear was sinking in. Ray stood quietly waiting.
Keiko stopped pacing and went to stand next to Julian. She got down and started digging on the other side.
“What are you going to do with the letter once you find it?” Julian asked.
“Well, archive it,” she paused, “Oh I forgot, Rivers has hacked into the system. I’m not sure. We should get Doc involved, but I don’t want to put him in danger. Can we go to the police without proof? Can we trace his trail…”
Julian and Keiko looked at each other, “Jacks,” They both said in unison.
“Do you think he could be in danger now?” Ray asked.
“I don’t know,” They said at the same time.
“If this wasn’t life or death it would be funny, you two on the same wave length,” Ray said shaking his head.
“We need to warn Jacks. We have to contact him and make sure he’s okay.” Keiko insisted,
“I’ll get my buddies on it right away.” This time Ray made a call.
“Ray, any suggestions on what to do when we retrieve it?” Julian asked while he kept digging.
“Well, we can send the content out and make it viral,” Ray said thinking, “but we have to find away to keep the letter safe until you can have it authenticated by the experts in the field. Who would that be?”
“Doctor Writer,” Julian said.
“How do we go about getting in touch with him?”
The brick started to loosen and Julian hit it even harder.
The brick cracked in half and Julian wedged his pick in the crack to pry out the loose end. It came out. Keiko knew they were so close. Half a brick away.
Ray answered his vibrating cell. “They’re on the way back. We got a minute or two, tops.” They heard the sirens of the ambulance as it pulled into the street, some kind of diversion Ray had set up, followed by gunfire. Outside.
Keiko whispered, “Hurry,” gently placing her hand on Julian’s back, because just touching him was reassuring.
Ray lit the smoke bomb, and dropped it in front of the hall leading toward the coalscuttle doors. Smoke started to fill the room obscuring their sight of the stairs.
Julian tugged at the last bit of brick and finally after what seemed like forever, it fell out. Gunshots rang out. Someone was firing blindly down the stairs. Keiko could hear the shots ricocheting off the walls.
“Julian!” Keiko said.
Only a few seconds had passed. Julian stuck his hand back in and tugged out a package. He shoved it down his shirt and took the gun he still had in his ankle holster. Keiko reached back and took out her gun too. Keiko prayed she wouldn’t have to use it.
Ray picked up his jacket with the loose mortar and rolled it up. He headed right towards the thickest smoke by the entry to the hallway. Keiko picked up the two pieces of brick and shoved them back in place.
They heard the thugs coming down the steps into the basement. A couple of shots hit the wall behind them. Smoke was obscuring their sight and the gunmen’s. Ray motioned for Keiko and Julian to follow him back into the tunnel. Ray started shooting back towards the stairs. Julian grabbed Keiko’s hand and pulled her into the tunnel. Past the smoke, it was pitch black. Ray whispered, “Get out, I’ll hold ‘em back. My crew is coming in from behind. Julian, get her safe!” With that, Ray went back to the first turn in the tunnel. It seemed like forever that they were taking twists and turns to get out of the dark. Finally, they hit the space where the wall ran out. Keiko could see faint light from the crack around the coalscuttle door. Only enough to know where it was. Not enough light for them to see each other. Several gunshots rang out. The echo down the hallway was the way she imagined it would sound if you set off several large firecrackers in a cave. Keiko prayed that Ray and his guys were safe. She had never been so frightened in her life. Julian squeezed through the coal door, checked that the alley was empty, shoved the coalscuttle door open, and then jumped back down to push her up and out. He left the door open, took Keiko’s hand, and pointed away from where they had left his Dad’s car. He ran, pushing Keiko in front of him, shielding her with his body as they heard another volley of shots ring out from the basement of Claggett’s Brewery.
Keiko didn’t drink but if she ever wanted one to calm her nerves, it was now.
When they had run a couple of blocks, they came out on a heavily traveled street. Julian pulled her in a building entranceway, and put his gun back before anyone could spot it. Keiko did the same.
Julian took Keiko and put his arm around her shoulder, “Walk with me like we’re in love,” he said.
She held onto Julian tight. Her heart reminding her with every beat how close they had come to losing their lives. They were safe for now. Julian continued up the street to a populated area full of restaurants and nightlife. He looked at Keiko, “Are you hungry?” She looked in his eyes, “You‘re kidding right?”
“No. I’m starving, aren’t you?”
“But we’re being chased by killers. And what about your Dad?”
Julian snorted, “Are you kidding? He loves this stuff, that’s why he was a working spy for all those years. Tonight was amateur night compared to some of the assignments him and his buddies had in the last war. I haven’t seen him this happy in ten years. Let’s eat. Here, it’s the last place the guys chasing us will look, and it will give you a chance to see the prize.” Julian’s arm squeezed her shoulders.
They came up to an Italian restaurant and Julian held open the door for her.
“Hello sir. Good to see you again,” The maitre de said as he looked at Julian then nodded to Keiko.
“We’d like a booth in the back for some privacy please.”
The maitre de seated them in a booth at the back.
“Two Cokes please,” Julian ordered for them.
“I didn’t know if you drank or not, but I thought it’s better if our minds are clear.”
“No, I don’t drink,” Keiko said, “do you?”
“No. Too many relatives on the reservation are alcoholics. I saw it destroy them. If I never have the first drink, I’ll never have to worry if I am an
alcoholic,” he said as he stretched out his long legs and drank his Coke.
“I can’t believe we are just sitting here after what just happened.”
“Don’t you want to see the star?”
“Of course. Let’s see it,” Keiko said.
“Hold your horses. It’s been two hundred years, it can wait a little longer.”
The waiter showed up to take their order, “Were only taking orders for another fifteen minutes, just wanted to let you know.”
Julian spoke up, “Two cheese pizzas.”
“Two? How hungry are you?” Keiko asked.
“Leftovers, for Ray and the gang.”
Julian reached out his hands when the waiter walked off to put their order in.
“Take it out—now,” Keiko repeated, “before I come over and rip it out of your shirt,” she smiled sweetly.
Julian held onto her hands, “Why would I want to pass up that deal? Ripping off my shirt, tell me more.”
Keiko tried to pull her hands away but Julian held on and smiled at her sweetly. “Tell me more,” he smiled.
“I promise I’ll rip your shirt off, sometime in the future, if you show me the star, now,” Keiko smiled sweetly back.
Julian reached into his shirt and gave her the bundle, an old oiled piece of leather, stiff with age. Julian reached across the table and moved their glasses of soda to the next table as Keiko carefully untied the twine. “What about your gloves?” Julian asked.
Keiko kept carefully working at the knot.
“I won’t hurt the twine,” she said.
She reverently unwrapped the leather from around the package. She carefully unfolded the star. The first thing she noticed was the hand sewn stitching around the edges to keep it from fraying. Were these stitches Grace’s or Mary’s? No way to know. The star was still amazingly white and as she unfolded it, the voices of the past echoed in her heart.
Grace’s secret, her life, was laid before her. Now she would know for sure the meaning behind the star. Why Louisa had considered Grace the perfect symbol of sacrifice. After all, Louisa only gave away bits of the flag to those who were heroes. How much more had she considered Grace to give her the only star? She wiped at a tear with the back of her hand, afraid it would fall on the star. As she unfolded the last point, Keiko revealed the letter.
The stationary was wonderfully preserved. A fine light beige linen. Typical for the time period.
At last, Keiko reached in her pocket and put on her gloves. Keiko was afraid to speak, not wanting to look at Julian because tears were on the verge of spilling. A true historic moment, shared between her and Julian. She looked up into his eyes, “Thank you. Thank you for helping me, for risking your life. You don’t know how much…”
“You’re welcome,” he reached out and caressed the back of her gloved hands.
Keiko took the letters out of the envelope and began to read.
May 3, 1819
Dearest Grace,
I, Louisa Armistead, send you this star as a token of your service to our country. As has been my custom since the death of my beloved husband, George Armistead, I would like to honor you as a hero. You gave your honor in the service to our country and to this flag. I witnessed Major Stanton Rivers take advantage and abuse you in the most unhonourable way a man can to a woman. I was not in time to stop his advances, but I witnessed as he left you in a most grievous state after dishonoring you. Unfortunately, his dalliance ended in the birth of the son you bore him, the one he now raises. I give this letter and this star as a pledge on mine and God’s honor that what I speak of is the truth. I have written this letter as well I know how short a life can be. In case my dear Grace has need of claiming her son or her honor, it is my intention that this star bears the truth. Grace this secret is yours to keep or not. I will always stand behind you, my dear friend and hero.
With love and appreciation,
Mrs. George Armistead
Keiko placed the first letter down and read the second.
June 13th, 1819
If you be finding this I’s be dead. Mrs. Louisa Armistead my dear friend from the day I delivered the flag at Fort McHenry for Mrs. Mary Pickersgill may bear witness to the date. July 19, 1813. Major Stanton Rivers used me most awful against my will. I gave birth to his son, Stanton the Second. who he rightly named. I’s could not raise the boy as he comes out white as has been known to happens in the south. I gaves the baby to the birthin woman Mrs. Tommie Lynn to gives him. This last week I seen him walk out her house in the night. I knows he the one who kilt her. I’m afeared Mrs. Tommie Lynn must a said she tell his secret. I hide this letter sos I safe. He took my boy, hads to. No one let me raise a white boy. If I dies natural, Mrs. Louisa Armistead kep the secret. They good Christian folk. The best I ever knowd.
Grace Wisher
If he kilt me an the truths come out, please tell my son I loved him with all my heart an pray for his peace an happiness every day.
Keiko turned the letters so Julian could read them.
Just as he finished reading, their food arrived. Keiko silently put the letters away and refolded the star around them. She took the oiled cloth and wrapped it around the star.
“It happened at Fort McHenry when she went to deliver the flag. That’s why Louisa considered her a hero. Is it a secret really worth killing for now?” Keiko asked.
“Sense of family honor is a strong emotion even if misplaced,” Julian said.
“Why would Benton kill for this?”
In his social world, maybe he feels it isn’t acceptable to change his heritage from respectable to that of a family line that includes a rapist and a murderer. His family’s disgrace would always be brought up whenever the flag is mentioned. His personal pride in his heritage can’t handle it. He’s part of a dying breed.”
“Do you think what his relative did over two hundred years ago would sway our opinion of him today?”
Julian shrugged, “The man has grown his whole world based on a myth of history. Not the truth. His esteemed relative a rapist and a murderer. He’s appalled by his history. He wants to keep the myth alive and for that he killed.”
“Let’s not talk about him anymore while we eat.” Keiko put the bundle on the seat next to her. “Julian, could you say a prayer? I think we need one right about now.”
Julian reached across the table and took her hands in his, “Lord, if we ever needed your help, it’s now. Thanks for the food and keeping Keiko and Dad safe. Amen.”
“How do you know he’s safe?” Keiko asked.
“Because there he is,” Julian motioned to the front door, “You better dig in, because once he gets here, he eats a lot and he eats fast.”
Keiko got up and gave Ray a hug as he approached the table. “Thank God you’re safe. Is everyone else okay?” she asked.
“My guys are fine,” he said as he nodded towards the window where Keiko could see five guys outside the window talking to each other. All fit, looking like retired servicemen.
Ray lifted the lid of the box, saw it contained one pie, then asked as he pointed at theirs, “Are you done with this? The guys are hungry and the kitchen’s closed,” Ray said as he sat and helped himself to a slice.
Keiko and Julian both said, “Sure.” Ray just looked from one to other and shook his head.
“Unbelievable,” Ray said with his mouth full. The waiter came over with a box and Ray slid the rest of their pizza in.
“I’ll see you guys at the shack in a little bit. We’ll talk then.”
“What about the guys who were chasing us?” Keiko asked.
“Well, you can pray for them, but it’s a little too late for them to be turning a new leaf. Gotta go.”
Ray walked up to the counter grabbed a six-pack of Coke the waiter had put out for him. Ray threw a bill on the counter for the sodas, then he was out the door to his crew.
“You’re right. He loves the danger,” Keiko said.
“Yep, grownup real-life spy games. He’s
always been an adrenaline junkie. I think that was why he was willing to take on two Indian smart-ass teenagers. We went bungee jumping, rock climbing, camping, hunting. Ray taught us survival skills along with lots of physical activity. To keep us out of trouble. Then when I started college, they called him back up for a few years. He’s only been out six. I think he’s going to re-up again.”
“Will they take him?”
Julian shrugged, “Sure, he’s good. The thing about spies, they try and pick people who don’t look like they could be one. Now that he’s older they can probably use him on more covert operations.”
Julian finished the one slice he managed to snag and took a drink of Coke. “The thing is my brother and I will miss him if he goes undercover. I might not get to speak to him for a few years. I think that’s the only thing holding him back from that kind of assignment. I think you made his year, Keiko. He can see you make me happy and the extra bonus is a good adrenaline rush and a shoot-out. An excuse to call in his old buddies for some action.”
The waiter came over looking impatient. Julian threw some bills on the table picked up the package for Keiko and walked her to the door.
“Where are we going now?” she asked as he headed around the block to the parking in back.
“Well we get in the car Dad left us, and we go to the shack.”
“What’s ‘the shack?’”
“Oh, you’re gonna love this.”
*
***
*
Chapter 19 - The Shack
Lone Wolf scanned the small lot. He walked towards the back to a small Toyota, felt under the back bumper and came back up with a key. He unlocked Keiko’s door, held it open for her, encircled her in his arms, and kissed her. Keiko put her arms around him loving the warmth, feeling the beating of his heart. With that, he pushed Keiko gently into her seat and shut the door. Julian went to his door, slid in the driver’s seat, and started the car.
“We could have kissed a little longer,” Keiko said.
Julian looked at her, “No, we couldn’t have. I wouldn’t be able to stop. You are overestimating my willpower and underestimating my attraction.”
