by Jeff Dixon
Jonathan looked toward Hawk. “And he left it for you.”
“Why? What does it mean?” Kate asked Farren.
“That is what Hawk must figure out,” Farren replied. He stood and stretched. “Well, it is getting late. I hope you are just a little bit intrigued by our story. If you would like, there are some more details I can share tomorrow over breakfast. Since you are staying in the Contemporary, I will be at Chef Mickey’s at 8:00 a.m. One of the perks of being an old timer with the company is that I have a reserved a table there. Just ask a cast member, and someone will get you to me.”
Hawk walked Farren to the door. He helped to kick a path through the clutter that until earlier had neatly decorated his home. Hawk unlocked the door and shook his friend’s hand.
“Thanks, Farren. See you tomorrow?”
“If you need me.” A look of concern crossed his face. “You, my dear friend, be careful and don’t worry about Ms. Young. I will tell her enough, but not too much. I think it is about time for us to tell the world some of your story.”
With a wink, the old Imagineer closed the door.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
* * *
KATE WAS FIRING QUESTIONS AT JULIETTE, Jonathan, and Shep, only to have them shrug, offer an excuse for not giving her answers, or tell her to ask Hawk or Farren. She was getting exasperated, while the others seemed amused by her discomfort. After closing and securing the door, Hawk made his way back toward her across the apartment.
“Haven’t you guys gotten this place cleaned up yet?” he joked.
“We didn’t know where you wanted to put everything.” Juliette looked a little overwhelmed at the catastrophe encircling them.
Kate stood, holding the figurine. “You know, I have a ton of questions.”
“And you will get answers to most of them . . . eventually,” Hawk assured her. Some assurance that was. She had a show, and a show needed content.
“Well, how about this one? What is the significance of this figurine? Other than its being priceless?” Kate shook her head. “Which should be answer enough I guess, but somehow I think it is more than just priceless. If it’s a clue, what does it mean?”
“I really don’t know yet.” Hawk pointed at the statue. “But it means something. We’ll figure it out.”
“Hawk, I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but I need to get home.” Juliette stood. “I can get a team in here tomorrow to help clean this up if you want.”
“Sure that would be . . . great.” But he looked around the room, then back toward Juliette, and shook his head.
“It’s OK, Hawk,” Juliette reassured him. “You’re going to need help with this. It will take you forever to do it alone.”
Hawk paused again, sighed deeply, and then nodded affirmatively.
“First, I have a feeling we should call Reginald and let his boys get in here and look around.” Jonathan opened his cell phone. “He’s going to be ticked if we don’t.”
Shep also got to his feet. “And I’ll go home and find out more about this Western River Expedition. I have heard of it, but I don’t really know the whole story. I might be able to find something in the history and archives to help us.” He headed to the door.
“What are you going to do?” Juliette asked Hawk.
“I’ll get Kate back to the Contemporary and then find a place to stay for the night. I’ll probably camp in the office.”
He walked his friends to the door, and they said their farewells. Kate observed him as he watched them go down the steps to the empty Main Street USA. She had heard him say he would spend the night in his office. He was in charge of the most popular vacation destination resort in the whole world and could stay anywhere he liked. Instead, he would stay in his office. Her career had allowed her to meet some of the most powerful people in the world. Hawk was the king of a magical kingdom but acted like he was somehow just lucky to be in that position. He was a man who certainly had his ego in check and was not fascinated with himself. She found that disarming.
If it was an act, then he was very good at it. If it was real, then it intrigued her more than she wanted to admit. When he returned to the trash heap his apartment had become, Kate made sure she was intently studying the cowboy figurine. She let her attention turn to Hawk as she noticed him absently wandering around his apartment. All of the possessions in the apartment had been broken, rifled through, or tossed about like they junk. He looked like he didn’t know what to pick up first or what to look for in the mess.
“Hey.” She smiled sweetly after she had his attention. “I’m sorry about your apartment. It’s a one-of-a-kind location for sure.”
“Location, location, location,” he quipped. “It’s just stuff.”
“Maybe, but it is your stuff.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Explain whose stuff it is, please.”
“I said, it isn’t my stuff. It’s God’s stuff.” He placed his hands on his hips and looked around sadly.
“God’s stuff?” Was he for real?
“You heard me, Kate. It is God’s stuff.” Hawk picked his way through the room, pointing at things as he went. “That cup over there, the plaque on the floor, that torn-up couch cushion, all of it . . . is God’s stuff. Everything we have is something that God entrusts to us to manage and use for Him. We don’t really own it, we just have it on loan from God.”
“So you don’t own anything?” She thought of her sleek apartment in New York, her elegant Lexus.
“Not really, in the big picture. I prove my non-ownership when I die because I can’t take any of it with me. Everything I have is a blessing from God. I have to use it wisely, enjoy it, and share with others so the blessing doesn’t turn into some kind of curse. I think sometimes people take the blessings of God, and instead of worshipping Him and thanking Him for them, they worship the blessings He gives and . . .” He noticed her staring at him. “Sorry.” He held up his hands. “Was I starting to sound like a preacher?”
“A little, but you sure aren’t like any preacher I’ve ever met before.” She gestured over the room. How could he not be going ballistic over the invasion? She didn’t understand him at all. But she wanted to. “So this really doesn’t upset you?”
“A bit. It makes me sad that so much stuff got ruined, but it’s just stuff. What really bothers me is that someone came in here and destroyed the place looking for something. I guess they wanted what is in your hand right now.”
She looked at the cowboy with the upraised hat once again. It looked like just a figurine. Looking back toward Hawk, she saw him moving toward the door of the apartment. He unlocked it, opened it, then paused.
“Kate, I’ll take you back to the resort in just a few minutes. I need to do something real quick first. Take care of our cowboy figurine and don’t let anyone in, please. I’ll be right back. Um . . . make yourself at home.”
The door closed behind him with a click. She heard the bolt turn and slide into place. Getting up and finding a path across the room, she pulled back the curtain to the window overlooking Town Square. It dawned on her on how amazing it was that she was actually looking out on Town Square from this perspective. Below her, Hawk emerged from the side of the building and starting walking toward the Emporium on the corner of Main Street USA.
She had so many questions about him. He seemed so genuine and real, but she had not yet managed to wrap her mind around the mysterious side of him. He was somehow dangerous, and she was wary of him; but at the same time his adventurous spirit fascinated her. He slowed and glanced back up toward her as if he knew she would be watching him leave. She wiggled her fingers in a wave. He returned the wave and then bounded around the corner down the street.
Who are you really, Grayson Hawkes? Kate realized she was smiling at him though he was no longer there. The smile on her face slowly melted away, and she released the curtain, allowing it to fall back into place. Reflexively, she pulled it back once more and touched the glass pane of the window
as if reaching out for him. A lump formed in her throat as she wondered what was going to happen next.
There was a story here. Every instinct she had was telling her she was onto something big. She hoped she could tell the story without hurting him.
After all, she was in a place where they believed in happy endings. But no matter what the ending was destined to be, she was going to find and tell her story. That’s what she did. That’s who she was.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
* * *
HAWK TREKKED DOWN MAIN STREET USA. Two blocks long, the street stretches from the WDW Railroad Station all the way to the Central Park Hub and was inspired by one of Walt’s boyhood homes in Marceline, Missouri, where the Disneys lived on a forty-five-acre farm. Although Walt had been young, the days in Marceline imprinted themselves into his memory, and forever it became his image of what a hometown in America should look like.
The theme park had closed shortly after the parade made its way down the streets of the Magic Kingdom. The guests were gone, and the evening shift was moving into the park to begin the nighttime maintenance. They would work all night, and, as the sun rose in the morning, would be wrapping up their efforts to have the park ready for another day of guests. At this time of night, there was no place like Main Street. All the lights were shining, and it was a chance to see some of the details on the street that you would never get to see when it was jammed with people.
Passing the Main Street Athletic Club, Hawk looked up at the famous windows on Main Street. These second- and third-story windows honored those who had made great contributions to the development of the theme parks and Disney history. The one he locked his eyes on now always made him smile. It read, “Magic Kingdom Casting Company—It Takes People to Make the Dream a Reality.” It was a tribute to the WDW cast, and Hawk knew the saying on the window was true. The public never saw the way the evening crew moved in and spent the entire night sprucing up the park, but the crew kept the look and magic of the park alive for the guests each day. On some nights, in the early hours of the morning, Hawk would venture out into the streets and open up the Ice Cream Parlor and treat every person working to free ice cream and conversation.
A cast member working on the door of a gift shop waved at Hawk as he passed. The CCA slowed and walked over, patting the maintenance crew
member on the back.
“Can I borrow a Phillips screwdriver from you?” Hawk asked.
“Sure, got one right here.” The maintenance man handed over the tool. “I’d be happy to help you out if need me to, boss.”
Hawk checked the man’s name badge so he could answer. “No thanks, Sean. I’ve got this.” At the corner, he walked past the Ice Cream Parlor and veered to his right. Finding the cast member door leading off stage, he pushed it open and stepped inside. A rack of various cast member uniforms hung on the wall. Spying a light jacket, he slipped it on so he’d be dressed like other cast members. He wasted no time, and stepped back through the doors into the theme park.
Causally flipping the screwdriver in his hand, Hawk continued toward the Central Park Hub. Another reason Hawk liked moving through the park after hours was that people assumed you were supposed to be there. Only staff members went about their business at the end of operating hours, so most people were good about sticking to their own tasks and not getting overly concerned with what others were doing.
Hawk needed a few moments of not being noticed right now. His senses were in hyperdrive, taking in all of the activity around him. He was searching for anyone or anything that looked out of place. As he arrived at his destination, he slowed down and busied himself doing some meaningless tasks to see if there were any unwanted eyes following him. After tying his shoe, checking a trash receptacle, and then picking up a few scraps of paper, he decided to move forward.
Stepping into the hub, he looked up at the famous Partners statue. The smiling Mickey Mouse was looking up at Walt Disney, who was pointing with outstretched arm down Main Street USA. Most speculated that Walt was pointing boldly to the future, but Hawk knew better. Not only was Walt pointing toward the future, but he was also pointing at something very specific. Figuring that out had been helpful for Hawk in unraveling a mystery months before. Jumping up into the flower bed surrounding the statue, he was careful not to trample any of the meticulously manicured residents growing there. Crouching, he faced the plaque at the base of the statue. “Partners—We believe in our idea: a family park where parents and children could have fun ~ Walt Disney.”
Quickly inserting the screwdriver into the screw in the upper right-hand corner, he gave it a sharp turn to the left. It gave, and he took out the screw and repeated the routine with the three remaining screws. The plate was now free, and carefully lifting it away from the base, he revealed an opening behind it. Reaching into the chamber, he pulled out a shiny metal box with a Mickey Mouse emblazoned across the top.
The lid clicked open, and inside he found four metal bars and an ancient skeleton key tucked away. He had come after the key itself. This was the key to the kingdom, given to him by Farren Rales. This old key, he had discovered, opened locks that he’d never dreamed it could open. He was sure that the thieves that had busted up his apartment were looking for not just what he had found in the cemetery; this was the real prize they were after, the key they were looking for. Shoving it into his pocket, he replaced the silver box and reattached the plate on the statue. Standing up and jumping out of the flower bed, he glanced around and saw, as he had hoped, there was no one in the area and no one had paid any attention to him.
He had carved out this hiding place for the box a few months after he had found it. The contents of the box and the key itself were all necessary to open some of the things he had found, along with additional codes that he had memorized and written nowhere. He had a growing sense that he might be needing the key in the near future, especially since there were clues to be found. This key was the original key Walt had held in his hand when he recorded a secret film explaining that he had set up a leadership plan to be carried out in the future. Hawk had a copy of that film hidden in the secret bunker control room below the Magic Kingdom.
He retraced his steps and returned the jacket to the peg on the wall where he had found it. Emerging from the supply area, he returned to the street and looked to see if anyone had noticed. As before, he saw nothing unusual. Jogging back down Main Street, he spotted the man he had borrowed the tool from and returned it. With a few pleasantries, he headed back to the Hawk’s Nest to pick up Kate and take her back to her hotel.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
* * *
HAWK OPENED THE DOOR TO HIS APARTMENT. To his surprise, he found Kate picking up some of the clutter thrown about in the break-in. He thought she blushed a bit, as she explained she was just trying to make the place look a little better and put some of God’s stuff away. He thanked her and moved to help her slide his couch back into a more orderly place in the living area. Once it was in place, she sat down and patted the seat next to her.
“Hawk?” Her expression was difficult to read. “What do you know about QR codes?”
“Uh, well . . . uh . . .” The question had come from so far out of the blue that his brain was clicking, trying to process it.
“You know what a QR code is, don’t you?”
“Yes, of course.” Hawk was catching up. “A QR code is the little squares that you find imprinted on everything these days. QR is short for Quick Response. They’re used to take a piece of information and put it into your cell phone.
“Very good.” She smiled. “You aren’t an expert on just Disney-related things.”
“I try.” He continued, realizing he was telling her something she likely already knew but unable to stop trying to impress her. “You see QR codes in magazine advertisements, on billboards, toys, products of any kind at all, even on T-shirts. You can scan them with your cell phone app, and that takes you to more information about that item, usually using a link to a w
ebsite. They are pretty incredible. We use them here all the time.” He paused and sat back on the sofa. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I have something to show you.” She got up from the couch and walked over to the chair where she had placed the cowboy figurine. Picking it up, she came back to the sofa. “While I was waiting for you, I took a closer look at this cowboy.” She turned it so the soles of the miniature boots were pointing at Hawk. “What do you see?”
Looking at the bottom of the boot, Hawk saw something they all missed when they had been examining the cowboy earlier. Stuck to the sole was a QR code. Now that he was looking, it was easy to spot. He couldn’t imagine why they had all missed it before. Reaching out, he took it from her and turned the cowboy figure to a better angle for lighting. He smiled at her for a moment and then looked back toward the boot. He reached into his pocket for his cell phone but remembered that he did not have one. He still had not replaced his phone from a few days before. Seeing him reach for a phone only to come up empty, Kate shook her head in disbelief and held up her smart phone, waving it back and forth.
